The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-07-17

examination, We concluded would be tho safest
place for us to land, as we could not as yet tell
what kind Of people might inhabit these
shores and il would be much easier for us 10
defend, ourselves on a small Island like this,
than it would be ON the main land, as our guns
could completely command every approach TO
it. When we had resolved that this should be
the place that for the present should be our
home, we pulled back TO the ship and found
the large boat cleared, and in the water and
we soon had both boats loaded and on the way
to our Island. BY night we had made three
trips TO the ship and bad brought of our can
non, aud quantity of provisions, with cloths
out of our cargo for tents. Our fourth and
last trip for the night was made by moonlight,
and our old home was then left, deserted, on
her rocky couch. Many and sad were the
looks we east back to her, for we knew not il
we should find her there when the day again
broke. Bat the night continued calm and Sc
rene, and in the morning we again resumed our
labors. For three days and nights the winds
and waters slept, and we had landed almost cv-
cry thing that could be OF service TO us. As
yet we had seen no signs of any inhabitants, to
dispute our right to a home in this new found
Paradise.
The morning of the fourth day after our
wreck broke cloudy and clustering, notwith-
standing which we attempted to reach the ship
once more, but found the breakers SO high Oh
the reef that we dare not board her. The
storm was rising fast, and every thing showed
that the winds and waves were uniting for the
destruction Of our good old ship. We landed
in a small cove, about two miles from where
she lay, to look on the melancholy work Of her
destruction. The sea at times broke complete
ly over her, and so rugged was the situation in
which she was placed that we could not expect
her TO hold together more than an hour. The
west now chopped suddenly round to the South
east, and blew complete hurricane. The
sea rose rapidly, and in less than half an hour
it seemed wreath Of snow--a mass Of Break
ers. Vet still the old ship held on, although
her position was changed. At times a Sc
would lift her high on the rocks, and the mex
moment would see her left bare. Thus dic
she continue beating about, for perhaps hal
an hour, when tremendous sea struck her OF
the quarter and for moment she seemed liter
ally suspended in the ar--the next she rush
ed mady on, borne by that mass of waters
swift as the wind, past rocks and foam, to fno
more quiet bed in the deep waters beyond
For few seconds did she thus rush on, ther
suddenly stopped and we observed that her sterr
was fast settling. In another minute her bow,
were pointed towards the heavens, she gave
heavy lurch, and was gone, descending to he
deep and boundless grave.
! For some time did we gaze on the spot wer.
she had disappeared, until our attention was di
rected by one Of our crew to the shore TO tn
Westward, where, TO our surprise, we sav tina
we were not the only lockers on to this las
scene Of the wreck, that we were not, as W
had begun to imagine the
| "Monarchs of all we surveyed"
The coast opposite was occupied by group
persons, whose appearance was not that Of civ
ilised men. They were Indians. We inme
diately took to our boat and pulled for the Is
land; where every thing vas soon put in tn
best order Of defence that our circumstance
admitted. We prepared ourselves to mee
the visitors we expected, either as friends O
foes.
The day passed away, and although we coul
see 'nen on the opposite shore, yet they did no
attempt TO visit us. The next day was bluster
ing, and brought no visitors. II was a time O
suspense, almost intolerable, especially to th
unfortunate female in our company. w
longed for, yet dreaded. the expected enooun
ter with these sons Of the forest. Better, VI
thought, to know the worst at once, than to liv
in suspense, and we determined. if we did no
receive call from them in the course Of tn
following day, that we, ourselves, would 60 II
pursuit ofthem. ia the course Of the nigh
the wind died away, and the next day we fel
would put an end to our suspense.
Ii caure at last The sun had not been ul
more than an hour, when, casting our eyes al
the river, we saw long line Of canoes psddlini
towards us. For few minutes we were all II
a state Of busting confusion. The canoes wer
not more than three miles off, between small
Island aud the main land, aud we're approach
ing rapidly. In little more than half an hou
they we're opposite to our isla nd. and not NOR
than third Of mile from the shore. Their
they paused, aud seemed to hold consultation
about what they should do, which they wer
not long in determining. One Of their boat
put of from the rest. and approached the Is
land. Judging from this that their intention
we're frieodly. ou- captain, with the youni
Englishmsn before mentioned, went alone Il
the shore to meet them. The number in tn
canoe was four, one Of whom. appeared from
his dres. to be their chief, or king he was arm