Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-06-26
short distance Of the bria-each firing at


by Henry Walton himself struck the
briggs main-topmast aud carried it down
To the deck. The widest confusion
reigned throughout the crew; dispair was
upon them, but the voice oftheir captain
soon restored order. "Fouls!" shouted
be, in a voice of thunder, 'swill ye fight
aud die like men, or surrender and die
like dogs? Clear the deck, say; we
shall vet escape" The crew, encour-
aged by his wosds and. example, and
more by the fate which they knew ar
waited them il taken, soon cleared the
deck. But the enemy were now close
up to them--and, seeing no other way
OF escape, he ran the brig. througha mar
row and dangerous channel Inside the
shoals. and dropped his anchor. Moths
ing but desperation would have led him
to attempt the passage but as it was, ne
hoped that in the darkness he might
thread his way out and elude pursuit.
Pienry Walton. it appeared, had miss
giving that such nigh be the case, for
he knew il, was impossible in the then
state oil the weather to keep his ship SO
close in shore as to blockade the inlet;
and therefore calling his men around
hin, he inquired who among them would
volunteer to aid him in capturing the brig
in the boats. 10 a man they assented.
Orders were given to man the boats, four
in number, and arm themselves with
musketa, pistols, and cutlasses. The at
tempt was dangerous one. The order
ofappsoaeh was, to pull through the pas
sage and then separate, and attack at
four points at the same time-the boat ia
which Walton commanded taking the
lead. 1t was now about dark. After
waiting till the proper moment-the
men pulling with muffled oars-the boats
passed through the channel without be-
ing perceived; then separating. they
pulled round the bay. at the same time
gradually drawing towards the brig
each man having his musket ready to fire
at the given signal. When within about
forty yards they were discovered, and
the alarm was given The pirates rushed
bravely TO the side Of the brig to repel
the attack, but we're received with a
volley that sent full third Of their uum>
ber to their last account. Tho boats
crews thea springing to their oars, were
along side in moment sand ere another
moment were up the sides, and on the
deck where a deadly encounter took
place. Hand to hand they fought with
terrible fury and dreadful slaughter.
The flashes from their pistols llumined
the darkness, and the men looked from
the shore like so many demons from the
lower regions. raving for each. others
blood. Conspicuous among The nrmber
was seen the tall form of the pirate, an>
imating his men aad hewing down num-
bers Of his foes. But the activity and
daring courage Of Walton more than
made amends for this loss. Urging his
way through the melee, followed by his
old friend Mcdonald. he had we'll nigh
reached the spot where his rival was deal
ing death around. when the pirate sud-
denly disappeared down the cabin stairs
Suspecting his intentions, Walton, with
shout Of anticipated triumph cut his
way through the feeble remnant of the
piratical crew, dashed down the stairs
and through tie outer cabin. when a
piercing shrek from well know voice
fel! upon his ear. Springing like tiger
apon HE prey, be dealt hevay blow
with his bat,le-axe upon the head Of his
enemy, Just as his uPlifted arm was de-
scending to give the fatal blow 10 his
own lovely Jean !
ssThank God for this victory" ex-
claimed Henry; and sinking on the foor,
he tainted. Jean was in no better sit
uation. The transition from emminent
peril to perfect safety, and from the
power of her most deadly enemy to the
presence of her lover, was too much for
her shattered nerves. The pirates,
missing their leader. gave themselves
up 20 dispair, and made but feeble re-
sistance. Not one of them, however,
was taken alive; some leaped into the
sea and were never heard Of afterwards.
After clearing the deck, Mcdonald
took with him some men and went into
the cabin, where he soon found the OBJ
jects of his search-and at once took
proper means to restore them to con-
seriousness. Who can describe the JOY
Of the three, when they learned Of each
others safety! Jean folded her arms
around her lover. raised her pale face
up to his. and whispered in his ear,
"Did not tell you that without you
/ here was no safety for me?"
"Pardon me this time, love; our dan
gers are past now. Did not tell you
we should spend many happy days to-
gether in the sweet cottage?--and am
not true prophetp'
The blushing girl hid her face in his
bosom. The pirate captain still lay
upon the cabin floor, and in short
time showed symptoms Of returning an
imatlon. All his weapons were taken
from him, and his arms were bound;
then. upon the application of brandy.
he rapidly recovered from the stunning
effects Of the blow which had prostrated
him. As soon as he was able, he was