Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-10-12

ship, and Judging by the masses that black
ened the schooner's deck, she must have
had five times that number.
For two hours longer the chase was kept
up, and at the expiration of that time, the
pirate was within about three quarters of
mile. Bangem had drawn his men up, and
exhorted them TO stand by him like Ameri-
cans In the approaching conflict, when he
was interrupted by heavy crash, and the
mizen-top-mast, top-gallant-mast, and all,
went by the board.
"Axes and knives here 7" shouted he, at
the top of his voice "cut, men, cut =
stir yourselves, my livelies the villain is
coming down like race-horse."
Instantly the lanyards and stays were Sc
vercd, or carried away, the braces and bow
lines unrove, and the wreck floating far a.
stern; but the speed of the Niagara was by
this accident considerably essened, and the
schooner, perceiving her advantage, put
down her helm, and threw raking broad
side among the rigging and spars of the UNI
fortunate vessel. AT this moment the cry
of Breakers !" was heard from the fore.
castle, and an exclamation of horror burst
from every lip-but one. There was death
on every hand, and the forms that peopled
the decks of the Niagara stood as mute as
statutes, enveloped in the silent stupor of
despair.
"Where away 70 asked Bangem; and
the cool self possession Of that voice SEEM
ed to mock the dangers by which they were
surrounded.
Fright ahead - replied the lookout, sand
on both bows"
"True," unused the commander, bending
his eye in the given direction "you may
hear them roar above the bowling of the
wind and waves, even at this distance"
"Shall bring herb the wind, Sir" ask
ed the steersman.
"No !" was the stern and determined re-
ply, and another voley of iron crashed
among the spars ofthe Niagara. So eager
ly had the pirate pursued the chase, that the
danger ahead remained to him undiscover.
ed. The day was unusually dark and
cloudy, and the smoke, rolling TO leeward,
perhaps screened the reef from his view.-
However, he saw it not, and now came
rushing down upon the crippled ship, conf
dent in his superiority.
"Ease the helm down 7" said Bangem,
keeping his eye steadily upon the pursuer !;
Niagara waved, and the fiying-Jb. boom of
the schooner burst through her bulwarks
about the mizzen-chains.
"Lash him there, my lads !" shouted
Bangem, in a voice that was heard above
every thing beside ; clash him there -
and if we perish, the blood-hounds shall
keep us company. Hard up again J"
The obedient craft once more fell off be-.
fore the wind, and rushed onward toward
the breakers, that roared and foamed not
more than half mile in advance, dragging
in her wake the light-built schooner, like
some giant spirit of death, urging an igno.
bier being to the shades of darkness. A
howl of frenzy, that broke from the deck of
the corsair, told that they had for the first
time become acquainted with the peril that
awaited them; and twenty dark forms
sprang out upon her bowsprit, armed with
axes and knives to free themselves from the
hold of the ship.
"Now, my lads, give it to the blood.
hounds !" shouted Bangem.
A volley was the reply and every soul
without the schooner's cutwater persisted
as many more sprang to take their places,
but again the fire from the Niagara's quar-.
ter deck swept them away like chaff before
the wind of Heaven. In the meantime
both vessels were rushing madly towards
the reef; they were not a hundred yards
from the breakers, and both parties ceased
hostilities, to gaze upon the foaming waters
and iron rocks that in another moment
threatened to dash them into eternity.
Hope had left every bosom; the pirates nc
longer endeavored to separate themselves
from the Niagara, but stood pale and trem
bling, waiting with horror to pay the las
dark forfeit Of their lives. Both vessel.
were now within the influence of the reef
the long heavy rollers, in conjunction with
the wind, were driving them rapidly upor
the rocks, when the schooner's bowsprit
shrouds, bob-stays, and all gave way; the
liberated vessel swung round and struck
while the Niagara forged by the ledge un
scathed! The next billow dashed the pi
rate higher upon the reef where she wa
hid from view by the roaring and foaninl
seas, that broke over her devoted hull
The crash of her falling spars was thel
heard, and the shrieks and walls Of tn
drowning wretches rose, for one momeu
above the thunder of the surf; but it wa
for moment, and they were lost forever
When the Niagara passed the cluster G
, rocks upon which the schooner went TO pie
J ces,she was hurried'along in the very centr
Of the principal reef, where tho eddies an
currents rendered her totally unmancgea
Bile. She no longer obeycd the helm, br
driftcd along disabled thing, at the spol
, Of the winds and waves, the sea roaring III
: while like thunder round her, and tn
0 spray breaking in dense masses over he
: There were ten minutes Of appallin
g anxiety, during which every one expecte
1