The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-01-07

81 lhlS utter ueSerClOn poueu uo Soou W Us
and would at any other time have cooled oul
ardor. But when reflected upon the danger
to which Beatrice was eXposed,l clutched my
sword and prayed fervently that ] might moi
/ be too late Suddenly, however, l heard q
piercing shriek-it was voice that even In
its agony knew-and starting wildly up in
the stern sheets, beheld sight which for a
moment crushed all hope in my bosom.
awe were yet some distance from the dis
mantled ship, when its conquerors toresaw
that if we reached them, our overpowerlng
numbers would put an end to all successful
resistance. Their only hope, therefore, was
in flight-they could yet insure fair start
the shore was little more than mile and a
half acknowledgements would add strength
to their sinews-and at least they would pos
sess nearly as many advantages for a combat
as if they should remain on board. BY this
means, too, they could secure the richest of
their booty. But though unwillingto incom-
mode themselves with prisoners, the extreme
loveliness of Beatrice, made her a prize too
valuable to be lost-and her wild shrieks, as
they tore her from her parents, were the
sounds which had attracted my attention.
81 shouted to the lieutenant what beheld,
and scarcely waiting for his expected order,
dashed around the stern of the deserted YES
sci, at the same instant he shot wildly across
| her bows.
90 Oh my child-my child-for the love
of heaven save my childw shrieked the ago
nized mother, as we whirled past the quar-
ter.
Quicker-quicker purse of gold if
we overtake the fugitiveS give way-give
way T l shouted.
"And they did give way. have seen men
pulling for their lives from battery when
the iron tempest fell arond them like hail but
never saw men pull as that crew. Eager as
they were to behold their foe, they never
looked around, but steadily gazing astern,
bent to their task, and drove us on like hur-
ricane. We were already, despite the exer-
tons of the pirates, rapidly approaching them
and their only hope was in reaching mar
row inlet almost dead ahead, that opening be-
tween the rocks that guarded the coast, af-
forded them the chance OF defensive posi-
ton. To trust to my companions would be
useless, for we had left them some rods be-
hind on the other quarter of the boat, and
their utmost exertions would not be able to
bring up in time for the struggle 1t was
much the larger boat, hence my force was in
ferior to our enemy-but did not hesitate a
felt myself a match, in my pres
ent state of wild excitemen, for any three of
the barbarians. Not moment was to be
lost. Dreading lest we should open fire of
upon them, the fellow in the stern
sheets of the fugitives had placed the insensi-
BILE form of Beatrice in such a way as almost
to shield himself and his crew.
They were within few strokes of the inlet
if they gained i they could defend it against
ten times our nunber-a desperate effort was
TO be made, or all would be in vain. Selling
a loaded musket,I pointed it toward the Turk
At the bow oar, but my purpose was anticipa-
ed by the wretch behind and | saw / could
not fire without being the murderer of Bea-
rice. l took the piece from my shoulder with
4 half muttered execration. A desperation
came over me; | resolved to venture all up
IN the cast. Again l lifted my musket and
.gain dropped it in despair. A taunting
shout broke from the villain, for the bow was
llready within a few fathoms of the inlet and
hooting like an arrow directly towards its
mouth. paused no longer, but raising my
,iece, aimed directly at the wretch himself
Self-preservation threw him for an instant off
lis guard, and gave me the opportunity which
had so ardently wished. The head of the
orcmost Turk was for an instant exposed
n that moment was as cool, ay, cooler than
am now. My hand was like iron, as rapid
Y changing the direction of my piece.
lanced along its bright, smooth, glitterng )
ube. l pulled the trigger, and the bow
arsman fell dead across the thwart. In an !
Instant the boat loosing his aid, fell off lit
lie, missed the inlet, jammed in among the
ocks, and / remember a wild huzza, mo-
lentary flash of tire-arms,a crossing ofblades !
n deadly strife, fierce, wild struggle over
he body of Beatrice, and thrill of almost :
elirious joy, as the last fugitive leaped into
he water and clasped the cold, inanimate, 4
ut yet breathing girl to my bosom. A life
me shall never efface that moment from my
memory.
The ardor of our men, however, had car
led them along the rocks in pursuit of the
nemy, and for moment l found myself
lone with Beatrice. She opened her eyes, e
nd percciving who it was that had preserved ;
er, timidly gazed into my face with a look, t
h how tender and grateful A CLEAN of '
ope shot through my mind. could refrain u
o longer. The pcnt up emotions of my
cart broke from all control, and torrent of s
ords rushed forth. She made me no an h
wer, but her fair head rested heavily upon v
~ bosom. Ipressed her hand she did not *
thdraw it. Years were compressed into
nat instant; it contained the bliss of an ex-
tence. AS she lay upon my breast 1 i'm is
ressed my first kiss upon her brow. She y
fled her eyes chidingly to mine, but uttered =,
o reproof. felt from that moment that she
as mine.
al have nearly done. We returned to the
reck, took off the family of Beatrice, and re-
aimed the frigate. The ship was inspected,
,und to be little hulled, jury masts we're rig p
ed out, and she was carried into port with 4
S to reft. AS for the Algerincs, you may = =
uess how they were treated. y y
"The right after we landed enjoyed an y
lterview alone with Beatrice, and won again g
ON the blushing girl a confession of her love. Ia
was happy moment. She acknowledged,
veet angel THAT she had loved me all a
ng-but that my conduct had deceived her
,to tho h1l;of L -.,-nr 1,rron,,;ttnd Shn rn- A