The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-06-05
From the Advenfmres Of a Younger son.
NOCTURNAL ATTACK ON A
BUCCANEEE.
BUCCANEEE

l warped outside the harbor, ana eve
ry night at sunset hoisted the boats in,
and hove short, lying in readiness to move
on the instant. On the tenth day after
our arrival, one hour after midnight, / oh
served 10y the phosphoric light sparkling
on the black surface of tho water. sems-
thing approaching US with unusual rapid
ity. The hallooing and distant turmoil,
in the harbor was hushed tho moving
lights on the shore had been soma .lns
extInguished ; but just then ] thought'i
deserted some commotion on the pier.--
As the sound was borne oil by tha light
air from the land, | distinctly heard some
one hailing boat in the port. This was
repeated louder and loader. Lights then
re-appearcd along the beach, and heard
the sound of oars, and spars, and boats,
as if moving from amongst others to the
shore. The noise grew higher, l turned
towards the first objec: that had caught
my attention III the other quarter and.
though all was silent there, still distin-
guished the sparkling ripple in the wa
ters. and long arrowy line oflight, such
|
wnkc of boat darting on fine sea in
this climate. BY tho muilled sound of
tho oars, and by the long and heavy
strokes which De Ruyter had taught the
men in his favorite boat, knew her, and
wondered at her returning before the
wonted hour, aud at the rapidity with
which she approached. The noise in
the harbor augmented. Ny mind mis-
gave me that all was not right. i felt
my heart nutter with anxiety Of l know
not what. l called the Serang, VIII,
was asleep, (ths Rails being with the
boat, tcld him to call the men, and.
in my impatience, kicked them up my
self.
Ordering them 10 man the cnpston,
loose the jib and foretopsail, and cast of
tho lnshings Of the fore and aft mainsaIl
| returned TO the gangwny, where now
seeing our boat, hailed her. Instead
of the usual reply of" Achar," n voice
answered in a low and suppressed tone,
Z" Yup ! yup !" (silence ! silence |
had been instructed regarding this sig
NAL, and rushing to the bow, seized the
axe lying by its side in readiness, then
ordering the jib To be hoistcd TO pay her
round, cut the cable, together with a
chip from an Arabs log who was stand
ing by it,.
De Ruyter then came forward and
said "that was right my boy, in cutting
the cable but he cool---you have woun-
ded this poor fcllow--sond him TO the
cabin. Clap all canvass on her Instant
ly. III goaft. The blood hounds have
hit On scent ; they think to find us like
Jungle fowls at roost but they shall find
a panther, and he is never caught sleep
ing.
He sprang aft. We wore slowly round
and as was cursing tho length of her
keestow and the lightncss off the breeze,
which made her so tardy in paying round
De Ruyter put his hand eli my shoulder
and said "arm the men, s~** but only
with their spears. Let no boat come u
long side of us or attempt it. Speak
them fair, busif man puts his hand on
the ladder, spear him as you would n
wild boar. There is no occasion for
saltpetre, it makes n noise, and has n
bad smell. Harpoon them but not till
l tell you. ] must keep back and not
be seen. If they question you about De
Witt, the merchant say you know him
not"
Two boats were approaching, and the
foremost hailed us with" Grab ahoy"
I answered. They commanded me to
hsavo to, as they wished to see the cap
tain. l ordered the Serang to let the
mainsail fall, and loose the topgallant-
sails and replied, "we are going 10 sea.
l have got my port clearances, and
ships papers all regularly signed at the
proper offices. / can't lose this breeze.
What do you want ~
Heays sir, or we shall Gre !"
You had better not" said |.
We had not weigh enough on her to dis
tance the first boat, which belonged to
the captain Of the port DE Ruyter or
dered the men to lie down on the deck.
lie stood at tho helm. He was just call
ing on me TO keep under cover, whom,
with flash of light from the boat,
ball wbizzed by my head, and went into
the mast. In obedience To De Ruyter's
orders, I did no, return it, much against
my inclination. Soon after, as the boat
was shooting up to board US on the gang.
way, Do Ruytsr bearing away brought
them under the lee quarter. Not being
able TO board us there, they lost some
time by falling sstern, before they could
reuse their oars. In this way, (the
breeze hnsning little,) We kept them
oft some time. during which not word
wns spoken. DE Ruy,er remained at
the helm, and i, with a party of men,
stood ready, all armed with spears, to