The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1845-12-19

had spent, and for moment he was tempt
ed; but better thoughts arose, and with a
prayer for forgiveness and protection, he
shut the dark suggestion from his mind.
The decks were cleared, the offenders
brought forward, and the men assembled +,
when the daring Tom broke through their
midst, and before they could guess his in-
teniion, plunged into the sea. The boat
was lowered, but SO great was his horror
of the punishment which awaited his re-
capture, that he seemed determined to
spend the last strength of his life in elu-
ding it. He was good swimmer, and
made his way from the ship as fast as he
could-but whittier! No port was near.
Around were the boundless waters, moan
ing their ceaseess dirge; above, the mock +
ing blue, with its calm smile; beneath, the
graves cold portals, and there was his on
y refuge from the infexible pursuers.-
His strength was failing; they were
gaining upon him, and with last effort
he plunged down, down, down, to seek
the asylum below. The sailors were pam
ic-struck at his desperation, but presently
he rose to The surface near the boat and
was secured insensible.
"My men, said the captain, on their
return TO the ship, ''the discipline of the
vessel must not be destroyed by the fool
ho "a - L.
below, and we will warm his jacket to-.
morrow"
The morrow came, and with il the hate
ful preparations. Tom was brought for
ward, pale and weak. but undaunted.-
There was demonish glare in his eye
telling of CALLED and revengeful spirit.
lie received bis strokes without sound,
and retired with look of invincible ha :
tired distorting his hitherto jovial face
In hat hour an evil seed was sown, which,
with its noxious growth, overshadowed his
whole destiny.
Willie had hoped to the last that some-
thing, he hardly cared what misL. Grams
pire to detiver him from the doom he
dreaded. Now he was brought forward
to endure the inf1iction, and anxiety had
wrought the work of disease upon his
countenance. His back was barred, the
lash was raised, and fell again harmless by
the side of the rugged sailor who held il
A tear glistened upon his cheek, which
he hastily wiped away with his sleeve
and addressed the commanding off ce
with, 81 can't captain"
"Do your duty" was the stern reply.
"I'd as lieve lick my father as tha
innocent child" muttered the man
"Obey orders, sir. or prepare to receive
dozen YOURSELF" said the captain,
firmly.
The sailor silently dropped the scourgt
upon the deck and retreated to the side
of the vessel. Another, less feeling thar
himself, was appointed in his place, ant
this time the lash Kissed through the al
and was buried in the quivering flesh 0
the victim. Upward it flashed again
when, "Hold!" cried the captain, adva
cling. "What is this!" He pointed to
dark pool of blood upon the deck, and the
raised the boy. From nose an mout
there gushed a sanguinary stream, an
with its flow was passing the proud spiri
from its degraded tenement. He ha
bnrst blood vessel.
Where was the mother in that hour @
bitterness and death? Singing serenely
about hes household occupations, the song
his boyhood loved, picturing to herself he
darling's glad return, and pausing fror
her toll to count upon her fingers tn
weeks which must intervene. Could sh
have seen her boy, who had never deserve
or received blow while under the mater
nal roof, trembling beneath the uplift ed
scourge, her heart must have burst within
| her bosom.
Why are such things as these counte
nanced by the government Of which W
bo asst! Why do the enlightened and high
minded men who yearly meet in our a
tional councils, suffer such barbariou
relic Of heathenism to stain our statut
| book! Are there no other means b.
which discipline may be maintained amonl
our seamen and soldiers, that there is sucl
a constant recourse to corporal punish
ment! Cap 1t be possible that the mer
who are the bulwarks Of our nation, wh'
battle like tigers id the maintenance o
their country's rights, whose lives are ev
er ready to be offered up in defence O
that country's liberties, whose names
perchance, are destined to GO down to al
ter times; linked with heroic deeds, sue
as the poet sings of and the nation honour
can it be possible that men like thes
must bow their sturdy spirits to the tyran
ny of the very institutions they defend
and submit to punishment such as hu
manity would not infict upon the beast