The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-06-16

the first lieutenant of one of the squadron,
with orders to burn every thing intended
for human food, shoot down all kinds of
cattle, leaving the glorious sun to complete
the work of spoilation; and to cross the
island in the most rapid manner, by seizing
all the horses in our line of march; and part
Of the squadron moved round to re-embark
the destroying party after having accom-
plished the good they had been sent to do.
The Dutch boor of governor could not
see the humanity of these proceedings, and
wilfully shut his eyes to the advantages to
be gained in becoming part of the great
British empire. He, with unparalleled i'm
pudence denominated our gentle proceed
ings, the acts of buccaneers, and informed
our commodore that he would hang up on
Fort Amsterdam, as pirate, every En-
glishman caught in those destroying par
ties.
The following night the first lieutenant
Of La Fortune with his party Of lambs, be-
ing busily employed in this work of des-
truction, were surprised by the Dutch COM
modore, at the head of his flying camp, a.
bout one hundred men, selected from the
crews Of their frigates in the mole, and
kept encamped in the centre Of the island
under this active commander, for the ex-
press purpose now effected. Our party,
only half their number, flew to their boats,
leaving thirteen of their rear-guard prison.
ers, in the hands Of their exasperated ene-
my. AS no doubt existed of Mynheer, the
governor, fulfilling his humane determina-
ton of making the innocent pay the penal
ty OF the guilty, was ordered away atmid.
night. with fifty men, under the guidance ol
a Dutch renegade, named Horsica, to seize
all the principal men could catch, to an.
swer with their lives for those of our cap
tured men. The first estate pointed out by
that most exemplary traitor, Mynhoer Hol-
sica, was surrounded by our men, and q
seizure of ten horses effected, upon which
we mounted the officers and worthy guide
forming small body of cavalry. The mas
ter Of the mansion, with his wife, were de-
clared to be in the town of Amsterdam
The house was Of the superior order; ant
the mate of the Fortuna, who most proba
bly, was seeking pIunder, with great gleC
informed me, that in small room he haC
discovered three young ladies, daughters o
the owner, endeavoring to secret themselves
With the utmost speed, knowing the tende
mercies of my lambs, (something like Col
Kirk's) l fastened to save them, and fount
the two younger sisters clinging to their ell
der one, apparently about seventeen, ant
all Of them in my eye beautiful, half dres
sed and frantic with terror. saw some
rude ruffians around them, and ordered
them to draw up outside of the house, il
marching order, at the same time desiring
Mr.. Smart, the aforesaid mate, to put him
self at their head. To this he demumed
and proposed the ruin of those unfortunate
innocents. With some difficulty | disarm
ed the monster, and caused him to be bount
to the back of one of my mounted sailors
The poor girls, who had fallen with fear a
the angry alteration and cIashing of nakeC
sabres, now crawled towards me, and OF
their knees watered my hands with thei
E tears, bestowing many kisses on them. |
f is one of the few good and redeeming ac
tions of my life, and to which have offer
in the hour of peril, turned with pleasure
that used my best endeayours to sooth'
the terrors of these pretty innocents, ant
f lett them, as far as regarded us, in security
and comparative happiness.
Horsica, whose angry passions wer
reused by the escape of the master, Il
whom Judged him no friend, advised, ant
in some measure commanded me to fire tn
, house and out-buildings; but in the franz
; of mind was then in, would sooner hay
burned myself, and with considerable plea