Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-12-08
them with grape, and, perhaps, sink their

."eW WIN grape anu, perhaps, Sink Tue"
boat"
"Ay!" answered the skipper. But we
must do our best with what we have. The
muskets are ready again, and now for last
shot,"
The boat was now in pistol shot, for de-
lay had occurred while our muskets were be-
ing reloaded. We saw that our all depended
on this single discharge.
"Take off that colossal fellow with the
red SASH, boarsely whispered the skipper.
" l will aim at the helmsman. One Of the
two must be the leader"
l comprehended at once the reasoning OF
the skipper. If the pirates could be depriv.
ed Of their head, they would board US, per-
haps, in state of irresolution, consequent
on the wan, of an acknowledged leader to
whom to look. The same idea had already
occurred to me, and l had, after scanning the
desperadoes, concluded also that the two
persons named by the skipper were the most
prominent of our foes. nodded an assent.
The seconds that elapsed wer,, to me, the
most intensely absorbing that ever spent.
l felt the mighty stake which hung on the
accuracy Of my aim. Some men grow ner-
vous under such circumstances but my eye
was never keener, my hand more firm than
at that moment One might have counted
three while paused then my piece bazed,
and my man sprung forward and fell, strug-
Cling convulsively. The skipper fired sim
ultaneously, and the helmsman tumbld head
long forward, falling on the man had shot.
lns,antaneously there was howl of lamen-
tation from the negroes; the rowers stopped,
several rushed aft, and all was confusion.-
The boat shot forward until almost abreast
OF US, and then lay mOtionless on the water.
But the hesitation of the pirates was of
short duration. We had scarcely begun to
congratulate ourselves on our success, when
the cries of grief on the part of the negroes
became exchanged for shouts of rage, and,
repairing again to their oars, the pirates rap
idly brought the head of the boat around, and
dashed up toward US. Their leader had ev.
identity fallen, but this only inAamed them
with the desire for revenge. We had bare
~ time to note the horrible expression of
their faces, glazing with revenge and the most
savage passions /; we had barely time to lev.
ell the remaining muskets hastily at them and
fire, though with what effect the confusion
would scarcely allow us TO perceive, when
the bow Of the barge grated against our sides,
and Immediately boat-hook was fixed into
the low bulwarks. One of the crew, with
blow of an axe, cut the lmplmen, in two,
but, as he did so, huge negro, whom we
had noticed pointing at US, with violent ges-
lures, after, his leaders fall, started up, and
dlscharging pistol, sprung, like tiger. on
deck, where the desperate stood, brawny
and gigantic opponent, keeping a charmed
circle around him with his cutlass. Instan-
tame ously, like swarm of bees, the buca.
neers clustered on the side of the vessel and,
despite our desperate resistance. evidently
gained footing, crowding around their lea
der, with ferocious and brutal looks, bran
dishing their weapons, and seeming to thirst
for blood, yet to be afraid to move until he
began the onset.
We had, after we found our efforts una.
vailing TO prevent the ruffians from boarding,
rctreated to the quarterback, where we pre-
pared to make our stand. To reach us, the
assaiIants would have to pass the narrow pas.
sages on each side of the companion wsy.
and these had been partially blocked up, with
such efficiency as time would admit, by The
water-casks that usually stood on the quarter
deck. Our whole force was drawn 10 with.
in this little fertilization.
The piratical leader, whose sudden author
'ty appeared 10 result from that power which
great strength and daring give man in mo-
ments OF peril, saw our hasiy preparations,
and the pause we have recorded was spent in
scanning our position. Thus both parties
remained, fora few seconds, inactive, cycling
each other, however, keenIy, as men are apt
10 10 when about 10 engage in mortal con-
tiict. On the part Of the assaiants, this scru-
tiny was carried on with feelings akin 10
those with which tiger gloats over the prey
he knows cannot escape him; our emotions
were those of men doomed to death, and.
aware of their fate, but resolved to sell their
lives as dearly as possible. On one side was
fiendIsh exutation, on the other manly des-
pair.
"Have at them !" shouted the ruffian in
Spanish, after this brea,hess pause had con-
t'nued for nearly minute, revenge re.
venge!"
As he spoke, he waved his cu.lass and
turned to his men, who, answering with a
shout or rather yell, dashed forward.
"Stand fast, my hearts," said the skipper
confronting the foe at the pass on the right Of
the companion way, while took the oppo.
site pass on the left, "you strike for life or
DEATH"
Of the succeeding minutes l have no dis
tinct recollection. There was wild clash.
ing Of cutlasses, mingled with the reports of
pistols and the shouts of angry combatants,
while occasionally shril cry Of agony, from
some one desperately wounded, rose over
the uproar. Our stock of firearms was
scanty, SO that we had little with which 10
oppose the foe except cutlasses. while most
of the desparadoes were armed with pistols.
But our men we're nerved with the energy of
despair, and our defences, slight as they were,
considerably retarded the approach of the
foe. In vain the piratical leader, urging on
his ruffins by his example, struggled to pene-
traie into our little circle the skipper, brave
ly confronting him and sustained by four
sturdy old mcn-of-war's men, hurled him
back on his followers as often as he endeav-
oredt Chamber over our defences. So fierce
was the contest in this quarter that the cut
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