The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-11-06
INTERESTING NARRATIVE

during the memorable gale on The 7ib and Sri
OF September last, our readers may remember
the brig OLNEY, Captain Thomas. This vessel
which had left St. Jago de Cuba few DAYS Ore
Vious' with cargo composed ola million Of
cigars, quantity Of tobacco, aud large mum.
Der OF cedar logs, was wrecked on Friday 7t
OF september, about twenty miles to the north OF
Cape Florida. She had attempted to anchor
nut the tempest was so violent that both her
anchors snapped likeapack thread and she was
driven high and dry on the Florida shore. The
persons on board, comprising the crew of sew
en- men, and single passenger renamed in the
o:'g IN the continual expectation that the wreck
ers In the neighborhood would come 10 their re-
lief: Two days after the Oney had gone ashore,
while the captain and crew were at breakfast,
the report of rifles was heard. Every one re-
Joiced in the the belief that assistance was at
land. On ascending the deck, what We're the
surprise and horror ofthese poor fellows, at be-
holding the brig in possession of some twenty
lerocous and well armed Indians; who had col
ected on the starboard quarter, and who men.
naced them with immediate death in case ofthe
slightest resistance. The crew were totally I'M
armed, and implict obedience to the merc.less
savages constituted their sole chance of ultimate
safety.
They were ordered by signs TO remove the
cigars from the hold and throw them on the
beach. About one hundred half boxes had been
removed, when captain Thomas, u bold and ir-
ritable man, refused Internationally to throw
away any more of his cargo. One of the sava-
ges, enraged at his disobedience, knocked him
down with the but end of his rifle. This was
the signal OF attack, voley ofbullets was imtne-
diaely discharged at the unfortunate comman-
der, and having been pierced by Two rifle balls
he was hurled yet breathing, on the beach. One
OF the wretcbes, preceiving that he still lived,
seized the hatch bar and plunged it into his
breast, extingushing every remnant of life. The
crew were then commanded to go ashore.
Scarcely had they touched the land, when
second discharge of rifles made, 10y which
were killed. Of the remaining two, one who
had escaped unwounded, fled so fast that the In
dams were unable to overtake him. The other,
Johnson by name, sprung towards some low
bushes which grew short distance, and having
heard that green BRANCHES were considered by
the savages as token of peace, fortunately be.
thought himself of making effort to have his
life spared. He plucked one Of the bushes from
the ground, fell on his knees and held il up with
signs of supplication. The savages und erstood
the appeal, and he was for moment safe.
They gave him an axe, and pointing to a smack
which was lying at so ne distance on the shore
bottom upwards, he was commanded to cut
hole into it. He obeyed, and the Indians took
quantity of heefout OF it, which they made
him carry TO their encampment, which was some
miles from the spot. Having arrived there, it
appeared that the savages had only postponed
the death of the poor fellow, for several of them
Ieveled their rifles at him, and were about to fire,
when squaw rushed out of a wigwam, placed
hersefbetore him. and intevceded SO powerful
ly for his life, that the Indians left him unframed,
and entered their tents.
AS soon as Johnson found himself unobserved,
he started with ull the speed which the love of
life could infusc in his frame, and soon reached
the brig. He assembled her sides, and slowed
himself among number of cedar blocks which
were on the deck. He lay there for twenty four
hours, trembling with apprehension, and expec-
ting momentary the return the Indians, when,
most happily, two wreckers came in sight; the
crew jumped on board the Olney, and were fe
licitating themselves on the excellent prize they
had obtained, when the Indians were once more
seen approaching. Johnson Immediately APP
peared from his hiding place, and called to
Them to save themselves. They all Jumped
on the shore from the bow Of the brig, which
laid about two feet from the water. Johnson
followed, and such was the desperate resolution
produced by the dread OF death, that though he
knew nothing Of swimming, he boldly struck
out into the deep waters, reached the wreckers
bouts, was taken up, conveyed on board the A.
merlca, from thehce was carried TO Key West
afterwards to Havana, in the United States
schooner Wave, and was eventually conveyed
to New Orleans, The other individual who sd
we'd himself by running, was likewise taken up
by the America, and is now in Mobile.
We have this simple but thrilling nara
tive from the lips of George Johnson himself, g.
have little doubt of its entire accuracy. We
have given it almost in the very language EN-
poyed by lhim. AS is not uncommon, he is in
debted for his lite to the nterposition ola wo-
man.-yNe,p Orleans Bee.