South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-06-06
miscellaneous.
THRILLING SCENE.

~
World'-describes the following butcbe.
ry of an English crew, that actually be-
fell the ST Helena schooner when taken
by the Spanish Pirates. The narrator
then lad, with Waters, sailor. was
providential1y concealed in the maintop
from whence they watched the progress
of the Pirates on deck. as they proceeded
in the work of GOLD blooded murder:
Isaw one remaining Spaniard, who
was left dead on the deck /; and | be-
held one Of our men-it was the cooper
.-goaded on at the point of the pirates
daggers TO where the corpse was lying:
they lifted the dead TO an erect posi-.
ton, and enfolding the neck of our man
in the still supple arms of the Span
lard, dashed the hands ofthe dead man
together, with horrible, half drunken,
and frantic joy, they then tied the
hands Of the coopersaround the back Of
the Spaniard, and goading the living
victim with their swords, shouting a
maddening yell; then laughing and
singing as they turned them around,
they conveyed the unresisting cooper
to the gang way, and calling out "Abi-
os, amigo, mio," pushed him towards
the side; his foot caught against coil
Of rope, which in the scuals bad been
kicked to that situation, the balance
was lost, and the living and the dead
fell head. foremost into the ocean. Not
cloud datkened the sun when such
ruffian murder was committed no
thunder roared to manifest Gods aw-
full displeasure at this internal deed !;
but shout of JOY followed the consum.
nation of the act and helish laugh
was the burial service Of the dead.
I looked up at Waters, his blanched
face, his pale lips, his trembling figure,
indicated his worst apprehensions he
did not dare articuIate a word, but
kept his trembling finger on his mouth,
to warn me Of my danger and the ne.
ssisy s Il ss Hs Sun vs 9 eSxn DEED
its glory, as if j. smiled upon the deed;
there was scarcely cloud to darken
the heavens, and already in the east
the stars had begun to shine; above
US all was still and hushed, all nature
seemed to smile; below the drunken
riots of the murderous pirates broke
the silence Of the evening, and the in.
effectual struggle of some of our men,
as they resisted the endeavors of the
Spaniards to force them ON deck, was
the prelude TO other deeds Of murder.
Two more victims were brought up
and dashed together /; these were tied
back to back /; one seemed anxious to
close his career and jump overheard (;
the other, still clinging to the remnant
of miserable existence, or fearful from
his numerous crimes to meet his fate,
strenuously opposed the efforts OF bis
comrade. The Spauiards laughed at
the struggle /; and as either party came
near, wounded them with their swords,
and goaded them towards the gang
way at Last he that was most resolote
gave sudden plunge, and both were
in the water. Then it was that the
diabolical feelings Oe,the pirates were
most excited /; both endeavored to
swim 81 for few minutes they succeed.
ed but as they neared the ship, The
rope which an apparently friendly hand
had offered TO their succor was with.
drawn, or only the wet end allowed TO
touch their hands, when it was jerked
from their hold, and they were again
left to the gravs--into which they ulti.
mately descended, after a more than
human exerlion to cling to the faithless
succor.
The next that was brought on deck
was Captain Smith. His son leaped
up Immediately and chung to him with
all the strong hold Of affection. The
Captain knew his end was come and
looked at the Captain of the Felucca
who had nearly fallen under his arm,
and who was nov unconcernedly smo>
king segar, appealing for pity in re-
gard to his son, as for himself he seem.
ed quite prepared to meet his fate, and
approached the gangway with fear.
less unconcern. The youth rivsted his
arms around his fathers neck and cried
out with all the excited feelings of a
boy who could not reconcile himselfto
inevitable death. ooh, save me ia.
ther 70 cried the poor half-distracted
creature; "savs me from these men !!
what are these ruffians agoing TO do
with US ~ At this moment some Of
the pirates tore young Smith from his