The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-11-15

Ihng 10 summon up your manliness and
resolve to die--lo trampe down those bigh
hopes Of the future which have hitherto in
cited anC sustained as--lo behold our brigh,
est dreams, like bubbles, dashed to noughl
by violent hand--to tear away the warm
and burning thoughts of home. and friends
which cluster around the heart, and insolate
ones self upon the edge of the grave--to
gather up all the past into minrle, and
gaze upon it with our last fearful look, and
then fling forward the vision into eternlty,
that we may anticipate our reception there;
II is not an easy thing TO say die. We can
read and even think of death without com
motion, if he be far away, but when we
listen 20 the hollow tread OF his step lurk
ing around us,and hear the weapon. Kissing
by as il hrrries 10 say our fellow and feel
that wo may be the next visIim; there is nov
a soul but thinks quickly and not hear
which does not beat as il il would tear its
self from the bosom.Aud yet whatever ,hesl
undeinable feelings may be, they are no
tears--'hey are something nObler, holier
which, while they send the life bIool
through every vein with the lightning
speed, bid the soul act, and aid i, in action
This is The hour when true courage si,
royalty on It's throne, i, is now that nobl,
deeds are done, TO which the finger OF his
tory loves 10 point,
Through the day we KEEP, the interva
between US and the pirate about the same
We had perhaps gained on him a l.le, bu
sun went down The breeze slackened, ant
soon died away almost io a calm, lhVugi
not 'ilI night had shut in for protection
Every light on board, including that Of ,h
binnacle was eXliuguishcd, and tho helm,
man commanded 10 steer BY the stars. Th
night wore away slowly, each one in tur
catching short nap on deck, for none W.
permitted 10 so below, as an attack nigh
1t any time be expected from tho boats {
# the schooner
! had stretched myself upon one of III
Seats in the stern boat, with my head res
Ing on the taiirail for pillow. not to slee
Tor lha! was impossible, bu, 10 think {
home. and 10 throw off for a moment, III
heavy weight that was crushing my hear
|, was so very stil that The silence SCENE
Impressive. had laid but few momen
when | thought heard something resen
ling the splash of an oar, and Using lroI
my seat threw has'y glance over til
bows of the boat. What sight met N
eyes! There was a large boat filled wit
men, at least thirty in number, all armed wit
cn'Iusses and pistols, while by the side c
each lay boarding pike Fortunately fo
me was not observed, and clearing with
single bound the sides OF the boat aud taft
rail, sprunk upon deck and shouted wit
a voice iha, rung like thunder through III
air. Pirates along side! pirates along
lslds!'
The alarm spread through the ship an
every one in moment was ready to repe
the enemy. The pirates perceived the,
were discovered, and opended the auacl
with pistols and upon the first fire disable,
three Of our poor liule band;yet we yieldet
not an inch but stood ready 10 di,
in defence of the vessel. The muskets ant
fowIiug piece were brought down to the tai
rail, shnre death 10 the first Two heads tha
appeaIed above it,
Board the Yankees my boys and Gu
lheir cOwardy throaIs and then for the
plunder,' came from the commandeI Of the
boat showing by the use Uf the language
that he was either an Engishman or al
A nerican.
Not easily; said a green hand to me
blast the rascsIs, III spoil the bread baske
Cf sUme OF them kaow.'
Determined, howe vel ,as we were, all ou
resistance would have been in vain had no
the stewart Inle'iered Five of The pirate,
had at last gained footing in the mail
chain, and The first Two had almost as soou
fallen back dead in their boats, from tn,
unerring fire Of our muskets. There wa
no time to reload, and in moment The 9th
pr three Mnrp nNnr Ihn raIl anA nn ihn Il. II