The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-09-02
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal.
CURIOUS HISTORY OF A SAL
LOR.

Among the group known as the Caribbean
Islands, there is little spot in n great atlas.
scarcely so large ms pins head, and in re-
atty mere dot in the waters which swept
around it--callcd Sombrero, n naked, desc
late, barren, miserable lump of rock, the re-
sort of the senguIl the occasional playground
ofthe turtle, and the scoh' of the great pillows
Of the Atlantic, which burl their unwicIdy
bodies against it, as ii it would take very lit
tie to induce them TO swallow il up altogeth-
or. 1t offers n striking exception 10 the char
actcr Of the surrounding islands possessing
no alluval soil, no refreshing rivers, or
springs, no verdant vegetation; nothing, in
short, to invite or 10 favor the residence of
man, or 10 excite anything beyond the Incl.
dental notice Of the passing vessel. Ills
Mnjesiy's sloop-of,w war, the Recruit, on the
18Th of December, 1907, was standing tow
ards this unpromlsing spot, on which the first
act in our drama opens. She was about
nile aud half off shore, when between five
and six o'clock in the evening, Captain
l., her commander, came on deck, hav-
ing Just risen from dinner, with face flush
cd with wine, and quick Impotence Of gcs-
turo which portcnded evil to some one on
board. Giving rapid glance Mt the dim mass
of rock now so near, he hastily summoned
the master, and asked, What island is this :?
i7'lllbl'lby NhS Al'' lNIIl
'IIave We not some thieves on board 2
Yes, sir, there are two,' answered the
master somewhat startled.
Send up my pistols said the captain.
The pistols were accordingly brought up,
and after undergoing careful examination
rs to their condition for service, were Osen-
,aliousIy laid on the capstan.
NOW send the ship painter here with n
strip of black tarpauln, and his paint and
brushes
The master hurried down to execute this
strange order, while tie crew forward were
gathered into little knots,cach nquiriug ofthc
other what all this could mean. Presently
the painter appeared, with his tools and the
piece of canvass in his hand.
Take your brush and paint The word
THIEF on that piece of canvass paint it in
large ettersn exclaimed the captain.
With n hand not altogether the steadest
and, under the fierce eye of the commander
not improving in stcadincss, the man proceed
ed TO his task The five letters of shame
soon, however, glarcd from the canvass mud
though not exactly conspicuous for perpon-
dcular and rectangular accuracy of outline,
they were plain enough for the purpose and
after completing his work, the man gladly re-
ceivcd permission TO go below.
'Now send Robert Jeiferyup here lower
liC slI II bbNl, uilt ltl Iltl CIC" Rtl ItuNlN 10
take her Otto the shore yonder,' shouted ,he
captain, who had already worked himself up
into a towering passion.
Robert Jeffrey n lad of eighteen, came On
deck, little dreaming of the terrible sentence
he was about TO receive. He was dressed in
a jacket and trousers, and he held his hat in
his hand, but lie had neither shoes nor stock
ings. Giving significant glunce at his pis-
tolls, the captain said TO him. Jefiery do you
see that island? am going to land you on
it,
The poor fellow looked astonshcd, but
dared not offer any remomstrauce. Never
mind his things, numbered the captain TO one
of the men who was endeavoriug hastily TO
gather together few necessary articles for
the lad. lie was cast out of the ship without
shoes, without covering beyond the clothes
he wore and III this destitute condition was
rapidly rowcd ashore, half Supplied AT the
suddenness and severity Of his fate. Upon
his back was sewn the strip ofcanvass which
published his crime. The iud was naturally
OF II weak, nervous, retiring temperament,
and had always been somew hat of Il skulker
on board. Ills feelings now overwhelmed
him, and he continued cry ing bitterly Until
the boat reached the shore. II Was now
quite dark, and therefore necessary HAT tie
crew should Immediately return 10 the ship.
Leaving Juflery on the desolate rocks, after
bidding him husty farewell. they got into
the boat, and were soon at the ships side
The boat was hauled Up, aud the Recruit
made all sail from the spot where she had
left one of her men to perish.
Leaving JctlGry TO his fate, let us follow the
ship. Directing her course to Barbadoes,
she there Joined the admiral'S squadron
But the d-hearted act of the captain being
about, it at length came to the
admiral's ears, and he, after severely repri-
mnndng him for his cruelty, commanded
him Immediately to return aud look for the
man, Two months had passed since he was
set on shore, when the Recruit again hove in
sight ofofthis melancholy island. The com
mander hastily despatched the boat to the
shore, with the same commanding officer and
men who had landed his victim. AT this visit
it was broad daylight and now they saw TO
what dreadful tomb their captain had con-
signed Jcilery two months previous. After
a long search, nothing was discovered III
Jeffrey. But II rude tonIuhuwk handle was
picked up by one of the men, and to their
lisnlay tatlered pair ol'trousers by another.
Again and again they explored the rocks,
lYiding, and uniting and searching every
loIc and corner; but they found nothing
more. They at length returned. and report
9d the irniless resul tot their expedition to
heir anxious captain; and the news rapidly |
Il read among the men who on hcuring ofthe
omahawk handle andthe trousrrs,wc mam-
nous in the conviction TINT Jeffrey had
'erishcd, and probably by violent death.
Captain L on his return stated to the
admiral, MS his conviction, that the lad was
afe and must have been picked up by some
passing vessel. The admiral was satisfied,
md suffered the matter to rest. After lapse
,ftwo years, circumstances caused the sub
ect to be again agitated, and sufficient
grounds were shown for the appointment of
court martial. Witnesses were examined,