The native American., 1838-12-01
From the Ne,v OrIeanS Bee, Of October Is.
INTERESTING NARRATIVE.

| From the New Orieans Bee, Of October Is.
INTERESTING NARRATIVE.
| Among the vessels lost on the Florida reef du-
ring the memorable gale of the 7,h and 9th of
September last, our readers may remember the
brig Olney, Capt. Thomas. This vessel, which
had left st. Jago de Cuba few days previous,
with cargo composed Of million of segars,
quantity of tobacco, and large number of cedar
logs, was wrecked on Friday, the 7th of Sepem-
ber about twenty miles TO the north of Cape Flo
rida. She had attempted to anchor, but the tenn
pest was so violent that both her anchors snapped
like packthread, and she was driven high and dry
on the Florida shore. The persons on board,
|comprslng the crew of seven men, and single
passenger, remained in the brig in the continual
expectation that the wreckers in tie neighborhood
would come to their relief Two days after the
Olney had gone ashore, while the captain and
crew were at breakfast the report of rifles were
heard. Every one rejoiced in the belief that as
sistance was at hand. On ascending the deck,
what were the surprise and horror of these poor
fellows, at beholding the brig in possession of
some twenty ferocious and well-armed Indians
who had collected on the starboard quarters, and
who menaced them with immediate death in case
of the slightest resistance. The crew were to-
tally unarmed and implicit obedience to the mer-
cess savages constituted their sole chance of ul-
innate safety. .
They were ordered by signs to remove the Sc
gars from the hold, and throw them on the beach,.
About 100 half boxes had been removed, when
Captain Thomas, bold and irritable man. refused
Internationally to throw away any more of his
cargo. One of the savages, enraged at his DISC
bedience, Knocked him down with the buttend of
his rifle. This was the signal of attack, voley
of bullets was discharged at the unfortunate COM
mander, and having been pierced by two rifle
balls, he was hurled, yet breathing, on the beach.
One Of the wretches percevng that he still lived,
seized the hatch-bar and plunged into his breast,
extinguishing every remnant of life. The crew
were then commanded to go ashore. Scarcely
had they touched the land, when second dis
charge Of rifles was made, by which five were
killed. OF the remaining two lone who had es
capped unwounded, fled So fast that the Indians
were unable to overtake him. The other, John
son, by name, sprung towards some low bushes
which grew at short distance, and having heard
that green branches were considered by the sava-
ges as a token of peace, fortunately bethought
himself of making an efortto have his life spared.
He puckcd one of the bushes from the ground,
fell on his knees, and held it up with signs Of
supplication. The savages understood the appeal,
an axe, and pointed to a smack which was lying
at some distance on the shore, bottom upwards,
he was commanded to cut hole into it. He
obeyed, and the Indians took 4 quantity of beef
out 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 levelled their rifles at him. and
were about 10 fire, when squaw rushed out of
wigwam, placed herself before him. and interce-
ded so powerfully for his life, that the Indians
left him unframed, and entered their tents.
As soon as Johnson found himself unobserved,
he started with all the speed which the love of
life could infuse in his frame, and soon reached
the brig. He ascended her sides. and slowed him
self among a number of cedar blocks which were
on the. deck. He lay there twenty -four hours,
trembling with apprehension and expecting mo-
mentarily the return Of the Indians, when, most
happily two wreckers came in sight; the crew
Jumped on board the Olney, and were felicitating
themselves on the excellent prize they had obtain
ed, when the Indians were once more seen APP
preaching. Johnson Immediately appeared from
his hiding place, and called to them to save them
selves. They all Jumped on the shore from the
bows of the brig, which lay 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 swiming,
he boldly struck out into deep water, reached the
wreckers' boats, was taken up, conveyed on board
the America, from thence was carried TO Key
West, afterwards to Havana, in the U. S. schoon-
er Wave, and was, eventually. conveyed to New
Orleans. The other individual who saved him
| self by running, was likewise taken up by the
America, and is now in Mobile.
| From Mississippi we hear that JAMES f.
'TRoTTER has resigned his seat as Senator of the
United States from that State. Several Members
of the Legislature Of the State have also resigned
| it is supposed, because of the state of public