The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-04-01
VOL 7. No. SO. Whole No. 34g

tered his family and placing them in his boat together
with the poor negress, and such vauabes the fear
Of the nom ent allowed him TO think OF, embarked FOR
Key West Stopping at the Floating Light, moOred
on Carysfort Reef, about forty miles south Of Cape
Forida-the fugitives most kindly received by
the Captain, and transferred TO a small cutter ut
ached to the ship, in which little bark they SOON ar.
rived safely at Key West, distant from Cape Florida
2S0 miles The Keeper, anxious that his Light
should not be long discontinued or LEFT to take
Of ITSELF hired two negroes to repair to the Cape and
put the Light in operation surprising that tho Indians
would not modest any but white men, Accordingly,
the two negroes took passage in tho cutter Of the
Lightshp, and reaching Carysfort Reef, mads the
Of the voyage the Cape in the Keepers boat.
Arrived at the Lighthouse they found everything as
left by the Keeper but not being exactly Of their
safety, they KEEP, bright look out for the Som
noes .nnd decided whenever they showed themselves
TO retreat tho tower and bar out the enemy, whom
they supposed would find no means of access. The
tower Of the Lighthouse built of brick 65 feet in
height, and finished with a wooden door, stnircase
and window frames. think it was but day or two
after the negroes reached the Cape and had already
become somewhat easy in their new vocation, whom
the Internal yell OF tho RED men was heard and the
poor darkies fled to their CITADEL barrcaded the door
with heavy oil butts, and then ascended TO The lantern
for greater safety On came the Serninoles full Of
veng and mischief They soon ransackcd the
Keepers ouse, but finding ho had escaped, sci FIRE
to The building, and danced around while the work Of
destruction was going on. The poor negroes looked
down from their lofty position, and chuckins TO think
how neatly they had foiled the enemy, little imogin
ed the fate in store for them. The Tndnns u
long in turning their attention TO the tower, and find.
ing all attempts to force open the door nefectna
they collected large quantities Of reeds from the adja-
brake and pling thcm up against tho
entrance of tho tower, applied the torch and gave
yell Of triumph as the flames performed their work.
No sooner did the FIRE penetrate through the door,
than the oil huits inside became Unframed, and the
tall chimney like shape Of the tower produced
draught like blast furnace. The flames were fed
also by the wooden staircase and platforms, and
with fury up into the rain lantern-wherein the two
negroes had till now remained ensconced, but the
columns Of smoke and fame drove them outside upon
tho gallery and here again they exposed TO
tho deadly rifles Of theirEavagc tormenters beneath
Throwing themselves PROSTATE upon the stone plat
form which makes the roof Of the tower, and which
by this timo had become Kissing hot, the poor
wretches turned and twisted like ees In frying pan.
What more horrible situation can be imngined!-
Roasted alive avoid the hazard of being shot dead!
One fthe suferes, unable TO endure the orments of
his situation popped his head the edge Of the
roofto how long this kind Of Gun to last when
crack went rife and the ball put end TO his
tortures The remaining negro, terrified by
tho fate Of his comrade that in his agony from tho
burning heat inadvertently thrust his feet tho
edge Of the roof, which the Seminoles no sooner
pied than hang wont dozen rifles ard their victim
found his foot like perforated card There
not sufficient material in the tower to maintain
fire long and the savagcs seeing the flames die away,
and nothing but naked walls remaining, took thsir
departure after along the north shore. wreck
ing schooner lying a, Eilot's Key not far from tho
Cape, the master attracted by tho appearance Of
tho burning tower got under way and stood for tho
Cape, off which he after anchored Reconnoi-
terng carefully, and perceivng no Indians on shore
he manned his boa, with crow well armed and
pulled in towards the Light house, The unfortunate
creature remaining the summit OF the tower, saw
them approach, and hope once gladdened his
heart, but it with some difficulty ho could raise
himself so as to be No he discov-
cred however than prompt measures were adopted
for his relief. On examining the tower, tho sea-
found all to the roof cut off by the entire
destruction of the wosdea staircase but with ready
ingenuity, common 10 ther Pfotess'oh uey soon ue-
cided upon plan which proved successful. Elaing
the "p-,hey enquired of poor PomP, whether he
had strength eil 10 haul line up if they found means
to get one within his reach He replied, yes!-for
although grievousy wounded sbout the feet and
scorched oil his body, yet his hands and arms
were comparatively uninjured. boai was despatch
ed 10 tho schooner for all necessary gear, and the
nlnn was then executed. a ball OF twine being up-
wound and taken down upon the ground-ons end
was attached to iron ramrod, which was then shot
Off from musket upward to fall over tho top OF
The tower. II not however until several attempts
,ad been made that this method Succeeded. At
ength the twine passed within reach of the negro.
Ind piece Of spunyarn being attached to the lower
by seaman, was hauled up and made fast to the
ron railing Of the lantern. To the sPunyarn wac
,gain attached small tail block with a. rope rove
through -h-and when The negro had succeeded IN
hauling up this last and fastening the tail block ia