The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-06-20
THE YANKEE BOY.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

An American brig, belonging to Ports
mouth N. H. was once in Demarara
discharging her cargo, when she was
boarded by a boat from a gun brig lying
at anchor at no great distance.
The crew were mustered and their pro.
tections examined and one New Hamp.
shire boy, Of noble and fearless spiri,
and though young in years of vigorous
frame was ordered into the boat. He
peremptorily refused to obey the order.
The officer in great rage, collared the
youthful seaman, but was instantly laid
sprawling by well directed blow of his
fist. The boats crew rushed to the as.
sistance of the officer, and the spirited
Anne rican was finally overpowered, PIN
Toned, thrown into the boat, and convened
on board the British brig. The Lieuten.
ant complained to his commanding officer
of the insult he had received from the stall
wart Yankee, and his battered face cor.
roborated his statement. The comman.
der at once decided that such insolence
demanded exemplary punishment, and
that the young Yankee required, on his
first entrance into the service, lesson
which might be of service to him hereaf-
ter.
Accordingly the offender was dashed to
gun, by the inhuman satellites Of tyran-
ny, and his back was barred to the lash.
Before the blow was struck, he repeated
his declaration that he was an American
citizen, and the sworn foe Of tyrants.
He demanded his release, and assured the
captain in the most solemn and impressive
manner, that if he persisted in furnishing
him like the vilest malefnctor, for vindi-
eating his rights as an American citizen,
the act would never be forgiven, but that
his revenge would be certain and terrible.
The captain laughed at what he called an
impotent menace, and gave signal to the
boatswain's mate. The white skin Of the
young American was soon cruelty man
gled, and the blows fell thick and heavily
on the quivering flesh. He bore the in
fiction OF his barbarous punishment with
out murmur or groan; and when the
signal was given for the executoner to
cease, although the skin was hanging in
strips on his back which was thickIv GOV.
cred with clotted blood, he showed no dis
position to faiter or to faint. His face
was somewhat paler than it was wont to
be--but his lips were compressed, as if he
was summoning determination to his aid,
and his dark eyes shot forth brilliant
CLEAN, showing that his spirit was unsu b.
dued, and that he was bent on revenge.
even if his life should be the forfeit.
His bonds were loosened, and he arose
from his humiliating posture. He gIared
fercely around. The Captain was Stand.
ing within few PAGES Of him, with de-.
moniac grin upon his features, as if he
enjoyed to the bottom of his soul the dis
grace and tortures inflicted upon the poor
Yankee. The hapless sufferer saw that
smile of exultation-and that moment
decided the fate Of his oppressor. With
the activity, ferocity and almost the
strength of tiger, the mutilated Ameri-
can sprang upon the tyrant, and grasped
MN where he stood surrounded by his
offlcers. who, for the moment. seemed
paraiyzed with astonishment-a before
they could recover their senses and has.
ten to the assistance Of their commander
the logged American had borne him II
the gangway, and clutching him by the
throat with one hand, firmly embracing
him with the other, despite his struggles J:
he leaped with him into the turbid water 70
of the Den,arara! They parted to re
ceive the tyrant and his yictim-thea
closed over them, and neither were ever
afterwards seen. Both had passed to
their last account,
Untombed, unaneled, i.
With all their imPerfections on their heads