The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-05-17

relate the particulars Of the events which had
sed her sorrows and the tale of this beautiful but
unhappy woman, sank deep into the hearts of the
listeners Tor there is nothing calculated in great
er degree TO enlist the sympathes of sailor,
than an act of outrage or oppression upon weak
and defenceless woman
| II appeared that this lady was the daughter of
respectable parents, residing Of Tie New
England States. Her marriage with Captain How
ard the result Of deep seated affection on the
part OF both; and at the time when the marriage
took place n few months previous TO the
! THE events recorded above, he had become tho
principal owner, we'll master of fine schoon
| er, the Arion, neatly ready for sea, bound to St
Thomas and market, with cargo of lumber, dry.
goods, and Yankee notions
The idea OF leaving his Caroline his bride, be
hind him, during The few months which he expec
ted to be absent, never entered his head; and
she, with cheerfnlness and alacry, agreed 10 his
proposition that she should accompany her hus
band on the voyage, and be- on the ocean as we'll
as on the land, his constant companion, his help
meet, and the participator of his joys and his sor-
rows. The cabin was fitted up accordingly, and
the Arion. with her fair freight left port but few
days after the Joyous celebration of her marriage.
| The passage to ST. Thomas was proptious. The
weather pleasant, and if ever n couple enjoyed
true happiness, at distance from their home, and
on the bosom OF the stormy sea, that couple was
Jonathan Howard and his lovely wife. A new
world OF happiness seemed opened 10 them, and
fancy painted gorgeous scenes of enjoyment in the
distance; and evening after evening they paced
the deck, they loved to talk of their own dear
home in their native land, and TO coniure up pic
lures of domestic happiness, equaling in vivid col
orng, a poets dream.
The Arion arrived at ST Thomas after passage
Of twenty days. Captain Howard succeeded iu
selling his lumber TO advantage, but concluded to
proceed with his remaining cargo C consisting chief
ly Of dry goods, TO ST John, in the Spanish island
of Porto Rico. The yellow fever prevailing
at ST. Thomas when he left, and the fear lest his
wife might become victim to this dreadful disease
doubtless fastened his departure from the island
But on the day on which the Aron arrived at ST
John, two Of his crew, all young American sea
men, were attacked with that dreadful fever and
died the following day. The remainder,
consisting of two seamen aud Que green hand who
performed the duties of cook, became alarmed and
secretly resolved to leave the schooner with the
FIRST opportunity and on the following night they
slowed themselves away in the brig jerusalem,
bound to New York, and were far enough off in
the ofhrg, before their deserion was known Be>
sides the Captain and male, the cabin boy, an
American lad, named Edward Jones, about four
teen years old, was the only person belonging 10
tho vessel, left on board
When the Arlon ready for sea. il became
necessary 10 procure a supply Of seamen-bui no
Americans or Englislmen TO he had, and
Captain Howard was compelled TO ship three fe
rocous looking Spaniards. who came on board the
schooner morning and offered to engage by the
run He had some doubts of the seamanship oi
the savage looking rasca's, although they declared
that they had performed many voyages hut he con-
soied himself with the reflection, that few weeks
their characters, he did moi conceive j; necessary
10 make any particular enquries-.they would
doubtless succeed in aiding him and his mate, NJ
Newton, 10 navigate his vessel a New England
port, and more he did not require Of them.
On the second day after the Arion left port, The
Spanards were observed by Mr. Newton to hold
some whispering conversations together, which
seemed rather susplcious-and Caroline told her
husband that she did not like the looks of those
swarthy Spanards--that one of them in particular,
by the name Of Garcia, whose low stature, broad
q In FIR n.,I rltorl
and sinister appearance, was dangerous man. |
She babe her husband beware Of him. She did |
not tell him, however, that this he passed |
her that morning, had given her an impudent and
significant wink; and, with savage grin, had
asked her, how she would like to be the wife of a
Spaniard '"9 fg3
Captain Howard did NOT altogether like the APP
pearance ofhis crew. Besides, he had few thou
sand dollars in specie, board which might prove
a temptation 10 men Of depraved characters. But |
he possessed undoubted courage, and was never
in the habit OF brooding imaginary dangers. !
He laughed at The fears of his wife and babe her I
not TO be alarmed, as there not the slightes,
symptom of danger. Nevertheless, he thought
proper advise Mr.. Newton TO watch the actions [
of the Spaniards--he also loaded pair Of pistols, |
and placed them in his state room, by the side Of
his berth. poinard, also, he took from his trunk
where it had been lying for years. and concealed I
1t beneath his vest. fle was man endowed with
much DETERMINATION of character, and he resolved
that on the instant he saw any conduct which
would Justify him IN susPecng the Spaniards OF
any lmpTopet oestSust NC Wcuh pun
tn EN- in irons, or shoot them down on the spot.
But nothing passed during that day to confirm
the suspicons Of Mr.. Newton The Spaniards we're |
ohedent and respectful, and conversed but little
with encli other But there fierce and maligl 4
nant expression in their eyes, which reminded one |
of the veDomed serpent, just he is about to plant
his deadly fangs in his unsuspectiDg victim Mrs
Howard could not look upon these without
shudderng, although they respectful 20 her.
and smiled as they passed her, in the performance
of their various duties. But Captain Howard saw
nothing TO excite alarm. He hardly deemed it
possible that his men would dare to plan and exc !
cute sci eme tor mutiny and murder But he |
knew little of the character of the men he had on
board. a'a4t a3t3 }0f
The succeeding evening was remarkably pleasant.
The wind was light, and hardly ruffled The surface
ortbe ocean--the sky, arlch canopy, thickly stud
ed with sparkling gems, never looked more lnvely
the air was soft and baImy-the schooner gded
gently on her way leaving behind her brilliant
Illuminated ,vake,s which the eye could follow 10
IA great distance. The whole scene was of tram
quiliziug character and furnished rich source of
enjoyment to the happy pair, who took possession
of the quarter deck that evening For il was Cap
tain Howard first watch, and Caroline would not
suffer her husband 10 remain on deck SOLITARY and