The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-06-19
ran ged alongside of him ON his larboard

"Ho, the ship hoy !"--" Hillo !"
was The reply. Make more sail, sir,
and run into The body of the feet, or
shal FIRE into you why don't you, sir,
keep in the wake Of the Commodore ="
No answer.
What meant you by hauling your
wind just now, sir"
"Yesh. Yesh," at length responded
voice from the erchantmen.
Something wrong here" said Mr..
Splinter. "Back your main,opsail, sir,
and hoist light at the peak shall
send boat on board of you. Boat
swain's mate pipe away The crew of the
Jolly boat" We also backed our main.
,opsaiI, aud were in the act Of lowering
down our boat, when the officer ratified
out, keep all fast, with the boat; can't
comprehend that chaps manoeuvres for
the soul of me. He has not hove-to."
Once more we were within pistol shot
of him. "Why don't you heave to. sir ~
All silent.
Presently we could perceive confus-
ion and noise of struggling on board,
and angry voices, as if people were try
ing TO force their way up the hatch ways
from below; and heavy humping upon
the deck. and creakipg of the blocks,
and rafting Of the cordage, while the
mainyard was first bracsd one way,
and then another, as if two parties were
striving for the mastery. At length a
voice hailed distinctly. "We are capt
ured by a." A sudden sharp cry,
and splash overheard told of some fear.
fuI deed.
We are taken by privateer, or pi-
rate sung out another voice. This was
followed by heavy crouching blow, as
when the spike of the butchers axe is
driven through bullock's forehead deep
into the brain.
BY this the captain was on deck, all
hands had been called, the word had
been passed to clear away two of the
foremost carronades on the s.arboard
side, and to load them with grape
"On board there-get below, all you
of the English crew, as shall fire with
grape"
The hint was now taken. The ship
to, under her lee-and an armed boat,
with Mr.. Treenall, and myself. and six
teen men, with cutlasses, were sent on
board.
We jumped on deck, and at the gang
way Mr.. Treenall stumbled, and fell o.
yer the dead body of man, no doubt
the one who had hailed last, with his
skull cloyen to the eyes, and broken
cutlass blade sticking in the cash. We
were Immediately accosted by the mate,
who waslashed down to ringbolt close
by the bits, with his hands tied at the
wrists by sharpIcords, SO tightly, that the
blood was spouting from beneath the
nails.
"We have been surprised by a pri-
vateer schooner, sir {; the lieutenant of
her ans twelve men, are now in the cab
in."
"Where are the rest of the crew 7"
"All secured in the forecastle, cept
the second mate and boatswain, the men
who hailed you JUS: now the last man
was knocked upon the head, and the
former was stabbed and thrown over
board"
BY this the lieutenant had descended
to the cabin followed by his people
while the merchant crew once more took
charge Of the ship, crowding sail into
the body of the fleet.
/ followed HIM close, pistol and cut
lass in hand, and shall never forget the
scene that presented itself when enter
ed. The cabin was that of vessel Of
five hundred tons, elegantly fitted up
the panels were filled with crimson
cloth, and golden mouldings with su-
perb damask hangings before the stern
windows and the side berths, and bril-
liantly lighted up by two large swinging
lamps hung from the deck above, which
were reflected from, and multiplied in,
several plate glass mirrors in the panels.
In the recess, which in cold weather had
been occupied by the stove, now stood
splendid cabinet piano forte, the silk cor
responding with the crimson cloth of
the panels; it was open, a Leghorn bon
net with green veil, parasol, and two
long white gloves, as if recently pulled
off, lay on il, with the very mould of the
hands in them.
The rudder case was particularly
beautiful: it was richly carved aud
gilded palm-tree, the stern painted white,
and interlaced with golden fretwork,
like the lozenges of pine apple while
the leaves spread up and abroad on the
roof
The table was laid for supper, with
cold msat and wine, and profusion of
silver things, all sparkling brightly but
it was in great disorder, wine split, and
glasses broken and dishes with meat up