Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-11-20

blow themselves up il the frigaie approached
nearer, ordered her to heaye-io, and said,
"Now, gentlemen, the time has come for warm
work. Much as wish, if possible, TO rescue our
fellow countrymen, proper regard 10 the lives
OF my crew will not sanction a nearer approach
Of this frigate. We must attack with boats, and
by volunteers"
lttOok but a moment TO obtain our volunteers,
our boats were manned with inconceivable rapid
ity, we pushed from the frgate's side amid roar
of cheers, and, while an uter silence was main
tained, our gallant crews bent to their oars, and
we were urged through the water with the veoci-
| ty of falcon. The few moments Of deep sus-
pense, ensuing before we reached the chase, we're
spent in hasty observation Of our relative posi-
uons.
The dsmantled ship was lying nearly broad
side on the shore, and not more than a mile and a
half from the coast. AT the distance of few
hundred yards from the land ledge of rccks ran
parallel with the continent, serving as a wall for
the breakers 10 shyer upon, and affording a Sc
cure retreat within from their power. The land
behind was unusually bold, rising into high, un.
dulating, craggy bluffs. 1t seemed, however, to-
tally deserted; without either houses, or other
signs of inhabitants; and presenting all the wild
and savage grandeur Of an African coast. The
whole scene around was anmatng in a high de-
gree. Behind, TO the left, the frigate falling
off again before the wind her tall masts, fine ira
Gerry, and exquisitely moulded hull, showing gal
lantly against the morning sun. A few rods a.
head the other boat was speeding swiftly along,
rising on the sea with graceful, gentle heave-I
while still further in the van, the shepeess wreck
rolled heavily about, her ensign streaming from
no tor bIttt q pula hoin yic on
board, or any sign that her late conquerors renal.
ned to await our attack. This utter desertion bo.
ded no good to us, and would at any other time
have cooled our ardor. But when reflected up
on the danger 10 which Beatrice was exposed
when remembered that even now she might be
calling vainly for help from the insults of some
brutal barbarian, clutched my sword, and pray
ed ferventy that might not be too late. Sud-
denly, however, heard a piercing shrek-it
was voice that, even in its agony knew-and
starting wildly up in the stern-sheets, beheld
sight which, for moment crushed all hope in
my bosom.
We were yet some distance from the disman-
tied ship, when its conquerors ioresaw that if we
reached them, our overpowerng numbers would
put an end to all successful resistance. Their
only hope, therefore, was in flght-they could
yet ensure fair start-the shore was little more
than mile and ahalf distant-desperatlon would
add sinews to their arms-andatleast they would
possess nearly as many advantages for combat,
as if they should remain on board. By this
means, too, they could secure the richest of their
booty. But though unwilling to incommode
themselves with prisoners, the exueme loveIiness
of Beatrice, madehe aprize too valuable belost
and her wild, heart-broken shrieks, as they tore
her from her parents, were the sounds which had
arrested my attention.
| shouted to the lieutenant what | beheld, and
scarcely waiting Cor his expected order, dashed
around the stern of the deserted wreck at the
same instant he shot swiftly across her bow.
"Oh! my child-my child-for thelove of hea-
ven, save my child," shrieked the agonized mo-
ther, as we whirled past the quarter.
"Quickcr, quicker" Ishouted, rising and Chez
ring my men; ''a purse of gold if you overtake
the fugitives-give way-gve way"
And they didgive way. have seen men pull
ling for their lives from a battery, when the iron
tempest fell around them like hail, but | never
saw men pull as that crew. Eager as they were
tobehold their foe, they never overlooked around,
but steadily gazing astern, bent to their task, and
J drove us on like hurricane. Wewere already,
despite the exertons of the fugtves, rapidly ap-
preaching them, and their only hope was in rea-
ching a narrow inetamost dead ahead, that open
ing between the rocks which guarded the coast,
afforded them the chance of defensive position.
, To trust to my companions would be useless, for
we had left them some rods behind on the other
quarter of the boat; and their utmost exertions
would not be able to bring them up in time for the
. struggle. Itwas much the larger boat, hence my
! force was greatly inferior to that of our enemy
but did not hesitate moment. felt was my
e self a match, in my present state of wild excite
ment, for any three of the barbarians. Not a
I moment was TO be lost. Dreading, lest we should
open fire of musketry upon them, the fellow in
the stern-sbeets of the fugitives had placed the
' insensible form of Beatrice in such a way as al
:. most completely to shield himself and his crew.
I They were within few strokes of the inlet--if
they gained it they could defend it against ten
times our number-a desperate effort was to be
made or all would be in vain. Selling loaded
musket, pointed it toward the Turk at the bow
oar, but my purpose was anticipated by the wretch
behind, and | saw could not fire without being
: the murderer of Beatrice. took it from my
# shoulder with half muttered execration. A
t, desperation came over me: her death seemed in.
i evitabe on either hand; | resolved to venture all
o upon the cast. Again lifted my musket; again
a | dropped it In despair. taunting shout broke
: from the villain, for the bow was already within
n few fathoms of the inlet, shooting like an ar
" row directly toward its mouth. Ipaused no lon
IS ger, but raising my piece, aimed directly at the
d wretch himself. Self.preservation threw him al
:. instant off his guard, and gave the opportuni
:. ty for which had so ardently wished. The
;; head of the foremost Turk was for an instant ex
"a posed. In that moment wasas cool, ay! coole
If than am now. My hand was like iron, as rap
o idly changing the direction of my piece, ganc
r. ed along its gliuering tube. Ipulled the trigger