Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-12-08

VIC uuSt uilc SiuCe tHcy Hdu COVe III SISWS
the pirates now uttered wild yell, or rather
howl like that of fam;shed wolves at sight
of their prey, and, springing TO their oars
with increased energy, sent their boat along
al fearful pace, rolling the foam in cata-
racts under her bows. Ellen gave vent to a
stifled shrek, and buried her face on her
fathers bosom. The other sisters lips part.
ed in mortal terror, and her eyes we're fixed
on the barge, as If fascinated by some strange
spell. Words cannot describe the agony
expressed in the parents look, or in the wild
embrace with which he drew his children TO
his bosom.
The skipper glanced at the now rapidly
approaching boat, and, coming close to me,
said, in hoarse voice,
In ten minutes all will be over. Good
God!" and he looked earnestly toward the
sisters, ITO think of those lovely girls in the
hands Of brutal violators."
:" 1t shall never be-" said. EARN the
men, and let US make desperate Defence
We may beat them off,"
He shook his head mournful; and knew
when he surrendered hope that the case was
indeed desperate.
"We will arm, certainly, and do our
best" Again he glanced at the sisters, and
something seemed on his mind. After a
pause Of second, he said,
But if we fail, shall we suffer these an
gels to fall into the hands of the ruffians 2"
"Better dealt, than dishonor," l respon.
ded, understanding his meaning. No other
word was said, but we pressed each others
hands convulsively. Then he turned away
and ordered the arm chest to be opened
His Whole demeanor was changed. His
voice was calm and energetic, his counte-
nance glowed with high resolution, his form
was erect, and his department calculated to
inspire the crew, as far as the confidence
OF leader can inspire his followers, in so
desperate a situation as ours. Weapons
were soon distributed 10 the men, and short
address made by the skipper. He did not
pretend to conceal our danger; he told them
they had no alternative but to conquer or
die. No allusion was made to the females,
but single glance of his eye toward them
was understood, and each man grasped his
cutlass tighter as he comprehended the silent
appeal. When the voice Of the skipper
ceased, there was hush for secsnd. The
first sound that broke the quiet was the rol.
licking of the pirates oars, striking with
fearful distinctness on our ears. and telling,
by its increased loudness, how the foe had
gained on US during the harangue. The
measured sound was like the ticking of
the clock tina! counts the criminals last
hour.
have said that, when the pirates first ap.
peared, they were scarcely distinguishabie,
on account of the distance and the fog-bank
from which they emerged. This bank of
vapor had, at that time, seemed scarcely
more dense than thin veil of gauze, or the
semi-transparent clouds which the spectator
on mountain side sees streaming upward
from river al sunrise. Gradually, howcv.
er, this pile Of vapor had been creeping
down toward US, lying fiat on the water like
heap Of snowy feeces, and advancing with
an almost imperceptibIe, but not less certain
motion, until, at last, the fog enveloped us
Of every hand, growing momently denser
and more opaque, and moving in rapid
whirl, like smoke when hand is turned rap
idly in it. By this time, the mist had grown
so thick that, up to the west, it shut out the
horizon from sight, yelling sea and sky alike
in thick, inpenetrable shroud. though, as
the fog extended only for few degrees
above the scaboard, the stars were still vis.
BILE higher up toward the zenith. Nearer Us
the vapor was less dense. Objects were
still visible for some distance across the wa
ter, and, though the mist had enveIoped the
pirates. they were only rendered shadow,
and not concealed by its folds. Besides,
they were advancing toward us at speed
that almost rvaled the velocity of the
vapor.
81 think can pick off one of those ruff.
fans, !" said / to the skipper ave may
disable three or four before they reach rs.
and every life will increase our chances. =
We have four muskets on board. think
you are good shot 7" =.
"Ay!" said my friend. ~ will take
care of one, If you will hit the other fair
Let US take the two leading oarsmen. What
we do had best be done at distance, for
the instant they touch US, we shall have them
pouring in, on our low decks, like cross
wave over the knight heads. Are YOU
ready 7"
"Ready!" was my response. There was
a death:like pause for single breath, when
we fired. -
l had taken deliberate aim, and, stimuli.
taneously with the flash of my piece, | saw
the bow oarsman fall over quick as thought,
the skipper followed my example and pulled
trigger. The second ruffian leaped up, with
yell, and tumbled across the seat. Both
oars caught in the water, and were snapped
off at the thwart. For an instant, the me-
groes seemed paralysed. and then a cry of
savage ferocity burst from thom, while the
oars, which had suddenly stopped, were
again seen flashing in the water, and with
increased velocity.
The skipper had turned 10 me, with an
cxulting smile, but had not spoken, as he
saw the two men fall, and now seizinp his
second piece, he said, slernly,
"Again!"
We fired so nearly at the same instant, that
there was but one crack Of our pieces, but
our success was not so decided as before
One of tho men we aimed at appeared who'll
ly to have escaped, bu, the other, from a
quick start and cry, We judged to be woun.
ded. Both oarsmen kept their places at the
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