The North-Carolina standard., 1841-02-10
.. FROM THE N. Y. KNIcKERBocKER.
THE AVENGER OF BLOOD.
A reminiscence of a scene on board a man of
BY USHER PARSONS, NJ. D.

SpoII VI every OltioW as II uaSneQ IT'S spray over
her deck. The incessant creaking and groaning
of the ships joints at every surge were occasion
ally interrupted by the hoarse sound OF the off
GERS trumpet or the shrill pipe OF the boatswain
and the tramp of the men running with the hal.
yards "
"S.eward." said the caterer Of the ward room,
as he entered il from the deck ''in yite down all
the officers Of the mess about the galley, and all
others that can be spared from duty. Tell them
it is Saturday nighti and mind ye. have ready
the large can ofswhiskey punch. piping hot, and
materials for replenishlng it"
The social board was soon surrounded, each
messmate steadying himself in his chair. as the
ship rolled from side TO side, by embracing a
leg of the table between his knees. The custom
ary toast for Saturday evenings, ITO sweet.hearts
and wives" was drunk with the usual sigh of
fond recollection and then followed the enIlven
ing song and mirthful story.
There is some fun" said The sailing master.
"in that pilot who joined US at Copenhagen. If
we could get the Russian down from deck he
would make sport enough for u.s. in his broken
English"
well have him then," replied the first lieu
tenant: "S,eward. ask the pilot to join Us !;
and. look ye. have less noise in that gun room
when you return" The ward-room servants.
who occupied the adjoining apartment. had evil
IDENTIFY followed our example in circulating the
Saturday evening glass.
Presently the rough. weather beaten pilot ap-
peared at the table, and turning his huge mus
taches right and left, to open a way for the lass,
he soon made up in speed what he lacked in
time--and readily overlook US in the convivaI
race; nor did he fail to coufrm the sail-master's
opinion Of his mirth moving powers. Little did
he dream OF the transition his feelings were soon
to undergo. But anticipate
1t is verV common on boa rd war vessels, on
pleasant evenings. for officers TO stand within
listening distance Of the men about the orecastle.
to overhear, as it were unobsrrved, the songs
and jcsts of the jolly sons of Neptune. In like
manner, the noise from the servants room had
drawn the purser from the table 20 listen to their
sport Alter a time, he returned to the cOmpa-
ny With an expression circumference that be-
tokened establishment at something he had over
heard.
"Gen,leman," said he. in low tone, zone Of
our servants is a pirate |"
"Piratel" exclaimed several Of the company.
"Yes." answered the purser. "a Barbarian
pirate who was convicted; aud subsequently,
pardoned by President Monroe; and he is now
giving an account Of his atrocities TO the other
servants"
by Saint Nevsk! |" exclaimed the Russian
pilot, "dat is no way de Emperor treats de pirates.
lie would send dem 10 Siberia, to be knouted
and den hunged P'
Let u.s." resumed the purser. "have the ras-
cal out here, and make him describe some OF
his piracies"
10 this proposition all agreed and John
Smith, for such was his name. real or fictitious,
was called FORTH to entertain US with story
from real life. All eyes We're arrested by the
expression of his countenance. as he approached
the lable, and each oae would have been slow to
suspect him OF piracy, SO demure and innocent
were his looks.
The first lieutenant began his interrogatories
in a calm and serious manner, and grave tone OF
voice remarking that he wished to know some
of the particulars of the piraces committed by
him and others, for which he was tried and con-
demned. With a look OF astonishment at our
knowing any thing of his career, John hesit tied
to utter a word in reply
"Go oni" said the lieutenant, "go on we
know you have been pardoned. and therefore
you have nothing to fear from US. Let US hear
the whole story" ..-.
John began, as might be supposed, with dis
claimer of his own guilt in the outset alleging his
ignorance OF the designs of the band with whom
he enlisted, until it was too late 10 extrcate him
sell. He then recounted several oftheir pirati
cal adventures some of which were detected and
led to their capture and trial By this time he
had become easy and communicative, and de-
sirous 10 crafty our excited curiosity and inter
est in his stories. But there was one act, con-
tinucd he. that never came to light, which was
worse than all the rest.
Let US have it. John" rejoined the company,
'out with it."
"Well." continued John. "it so happened We
fell in with a Russian ship, bound to Mexico.
and boarded her. The captain who was a brave
fellow, resisted our search for money. We
,hereupon knocked out his brains with hand
spike, and ioh. it makes me shudder to think Of
it) we then killed every man on board and after
plundering all we could carry away, we scut
tied the ship, and sci fire to her."
"Vot Russian ship vas dat ?" interrupted the
pilot impatient to learn whether he had ever
any knowledge OF her or her commander.
ut was sir" replied John, "the ship Orlof
Capt. Nicholas Potowsky."
"Mine Got r' exclaimed the pilot. with clench-
ed hands. and quivering lip. "it was my brod.
der Nicholas You shall be put in irons, and
hunged, ven dis ship arrives at Constradt
will see de captain dis very night. o Nicholas
you vas not drownded den. ship and all. as We all
ways supposedi' i'
The pilot now arose from the table to seek
the captain, but was unable to pass The sentinel
stationed at the cabin door. Meantime, John
Smith was hurried down into q cock pit, IN a
dark corner of the vessel, and was there confined