Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-04
FtOrida-A sketch.
(Cencluded from our last.l
Ne. %

N (Cencluded from our lastl
Early on the following morning we were again Al
the mouth OF the river, where the hands of the boat
were busily engaged in getting from the wreck of the
steamer John McLane, which was lying there, ma
terIais tor remedy, or substitute for our broken
machinery While the men were employed in this,
ana aiscnarging cargo, my companions proposed
rambe along the beach. A negro who was assisting
IN unloading the boats, hearing the proposal said,
win very serious face, to me" You best not go,
massa; aai oin wild boar along dar lately kick
IN up deeils deligMp' thanked him fer his adj
vice, but did not follow it. We took our rifles as
such precaution Is necessary to guard against the
Indians, and striking into the pine forest which run
along the shore Tor some distance, pursued
way leisurely, keeping as near the water as the
nature of the ground permitted. We extended our
walk for two hours without being fright ened from !
sense OF our Proprety by the appearance Of either
Indian or wild boar; perhaps it as well that the
latter did not make his appearance, as we were NO
adopts in the of the ride, and, in all probability
he might have proved too great bore for
We thought it time to return, and struck off far
Their on the land to proceed back again One Of nv
companions, who little in ad rance, entering
clump Of fir trees, with low bushes around them,
suddenly uttered an exclamation Of intense surprise
On our coming to the place, most horrible specta
Gle presented itself. In a small, open space, sur
rounded with tall, dark frs and stunted pines lay
five human skeletons! Part of another was hanging
rude fires caffold which was constructed with
two upright poles about six feet apart, with another
ashcd crosswise at the top. In the centre Of this
hung the skeleton. There was small heap Of ashes
below and the lower parts Of the bones black
ened and burnt! There nee led other evidence to
show that terrible slaughter had been committed,
nor to proclaim the perpetrators. The Indian had
been there; and this was one among their many
told murders.
After our first surprise and horror had somewhat
subsidized, we proceeded more closely to examine the
frightu enains Of mortality. We found that every
skull but that Of the suspended on the scaifold,
had been broken with seine heavy instrument, cut
ting through the bones to great depth. We con-
cluded that those lying the ground had died by
the tomahawk, and the one on the scafold had been
burnt alive! There were some remnants Of clothing
about, and examination we found the remains Of
two sailors jackets The rest Of different tex
ture, but disfgured and torn, we could make out
little about them. But sufficient had been shown to
suggest the idea that the murde persons had been
part Of the crew and passengers who had escaped
from wrecked vessel. After vain search for
some other clue to the mysterious circumstances, We
collected the bones together. and tearing down the
scalold by tho aid Of the poles which formed it,
enabled 10 turn enough Of the loose earth to
form grave, in which we deposited the bones
thus ut least hiding them from the insulting and tr
mphant gaze Of the wandering savage.
The scene sunk deep into my mind /; it was one
that l shall never forget. While my companions
we're searching in the bushes, for some distance
around, with the hope of finding papers, or some
thing that might throw farther light upon the cir
cumstsnce,-I sat down, near the mound we had
melancholy conjectures! Perhaps SEINE Of the per-
whose bones we had buried had friends-wives
-chdren-still expecting their return, unwilling to
give up hope. Then fame painted what might have
passed on leaving where had been their homes.--
Assurances of safe and speedy return to terrified
wives-fond kisses for their children-hearty thanks
and ponses TO the good wishes Of their friends
the last good bye-alas! in TRUTH the last And theR
they the sea, with danger far from their
thoughts. At first, all bright and plessant-they
on acknowledgement OF asPeedy and happy
termination Of their voyage-a life and Joy.
storm rises-they are driven onward by its fury-an
their exertions are useless the sails are blown to
shrsds-the rudder 10 torn away-the masts are goae
she drifts helplessy before the wind. IT'S night
Through the darkness looms the land upon the lee:
restcssy the doomed vessel is borne on TO destruc-
tion-the hoarse roar Of the breakers 10 heard-all
souls on beard are hushed in horror, too great
to offer prayer-she rolls more heayily-a he'll Of
roaring waters now surround-shc strikcs-oue long
wild shrek Of agony-death hovers DER the scene.
All, few rise upon the waves-they buffet Justify
with the enemy-again the waves tear them back
once more they rise-thask God! that wave has left
them high on shore. Six are saved. They crawl
further up the rocks lest rele ntcss should
drag them back The mad roar Of waters still rings
in their earsthey rise and stagger further on, fear
ing the waves are following them. Faint and ex-
hausted they sink upon the ground where the threat
cning war OF elements upon the beach comes in sounds
subdued in rage. They knesl In prayers Of thanks
to the Almg hty God, for saving them from destruc
ton. They are altered beings-they have felt His
power and deer in their hearts their after lives
shall profit by the fearful lesson. But bark can the
The dark pines around are iumined by the red glare
Of ganc fires Unearthly sounds pierce the ears Of
the de voted few. new danger threatens. Stronger
comes the glare Of moving hrcs-louder sounds the
helIsh yell-strange forms are horrid yell Of
triumph Now bursting through the trees aroand-
a band Of red demons, waving flaming pines IN the
air, and brandishing fearful weapons, rush with .
shout upon the scene. They gloat their eyes upon
the wretches who late escaped the horrors Of the
sea-but each demon fearing he may lose his chance
Of murder all close upon their victims. Five man
gled corses sink upon the earth quivering in the ag
onies Of death The sixth still lives Have the de-
mons hearts been touched with mercyf No-hs ~
reserved to feast their savage eyes with longer tor
ture rude scanold is raised-he IL lashed apon II
W God is heaped below-thc flaming brands touch IT
a column of smoke ascends-s ficndish yell arises-
the flames burst forth o who tell the agony Of
that moment The prayers Of the suffering wretch
ascends to heaven for mercy and instant death lis
useless. He'll has now the mastery en- earth.
Thus did fancy call up scenes, throsgh the like OF
which these ha pie IS beings might have passed. As
/ sat the fate Of poor H. flashed across my misd.
You may remember informing me OF the cIfsSn-
stance OF his taking passage with e,nen, NsW
Yerk in brig bound for Mobile, aDeut oceooef
last and that neither brig, crew nor passengers
have been heard Of since. A consIdered the STU
alton of the place and the time that had elapsed
Thought there was a possibility OF my having been
ied ,hrough strange circumstances, TO perform the
la, r;ch,s az sepulture TO a friend The thought
,ooL strange hold upon me know not how il was,
H., ronld not shake II of chimera OF the brain.
7 iooL cd again upon the sad mound of pine boughs
49,. h.J raised above the grave-the time-thc place
.stbc circumstances must be my excuse leaned
NV head upon my hands, ana--but It's no matter
hat 4 'yed done.