Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-15
reflected on the difficulty of sufficient number

reflected on the difficulty of sufficient number
escaping the prison ship to carry on our enter
prise. Then again the danger of detection
from the vessels we had to pass and the danger
OF being discovered by the sentries on board
the Letter of Marque,' all conspired to make
our attempt most hazardous in the extreme =
The love of liberty and the cruel treatment we
had received induced US to undergo any risks
provided there was a single chance for escape.
The mouth of the harbor although near a
mile in width, was impossible by vessels only
OF the smallest class, save at the extreme right
as we went out, where the fort was situated.
As we neared the fort the former commander
of our prize limited to me, l being on duty as
one of the watch, that we should be hailed
and fired at. But as good luck would have it
we were not disturbed BY the fort, which we
accounted for, supposing the sentinels were
either asleep or that they had been lured into
false security from the fact that there were
but few American or French vessels in the
vicinity
Early in the morning following, the vessel
which we had made prize was missed, and
the intelligence spread rapidly from ship TO
ship, and when it came to the ears of the Eng
lish officers on shore they were at a loss to
account for the absence otherwise than that
she had been captured by the enemy from
abroad or had sailed for different section Of
the Island where there was more plentiful
supply of water. However, one of the first
steps taken to solve the problem was an exam
ination of the sentries on board the prison ship,
who were as ignorant of the cause of the alb
sence of the privateer as the officers on shore.
The roll of the prisoners names being next
called over disclosed at once the cause of the
absence of the Letter of Marquee As we
afterwards learned two privateers were imme-
diately despatched in pursuit, which Fortunate
ly for us steered TO leeward, while our course
was to the windward, in the direction of st.
Pierre, the capital of Martinico, distance twen-
ty five leages.
After we had passed the fort in safety, our
spirits were much elated with the expectation
of soon being out of pursuit of our enemies,
and having brought to termination an adven-
ture of so much peril. During the dav we
were constantly on the watch, and when a,
night fall, we entered triumphantly the harboI
of ST. Pierre, with the stars and stripes iutter-
ing to the breeze, and below them the color OF
the enemy we had so successfully overcome, =
the feelings which animated our breasts are in
descrbable. Previous TO entering the harboI
we picked up such clothing as we found about
the prize to cover our nakedness we might
have fully fitted ourselves out with the clothes
of the officers and crew, but we preferred wait
ing till we arrived in port before making de-
scent upon their chest.
The wonder of the inhabitants was greatly
excited (although they understood the charac-
ter of our vessel from the national ensign fly
ing above us) at seeing so many men entering
the harbor without hats and partially clothed,
until we had an opportunity for explanation
The knowledge of the capture spread over ev-
cry part of St. Pierre, creating universal JOY
among the French and Americans then on the
Island, and won for our country the warmest
praises. Within half an hour after our arrival
the prisoners were delivered over to the French
who put them all in Jail with the exception OF
the Captain, who being advanced in years was
released on his parole at the earnest solicita-
ton of Andrews, the rest of lis acquescing
He was much troubled when he reflected up
on the calamity which had overtaken him.
asked how he should Justify himself to his
owners and vindicate his honor before his
conntrymen, when it should be known that
being well armed he was nevertheless captured
by a few Americans, issuing out Of the sea.
Our prize had on board seventy hogsheads
of sugar and four hogsheads Of cocoa, which
were of little value at St. Pierre, being the
productions of the Islands in the vicinity.
The vessel was sold for 1000 crowns,
which divided among ten gave 400 apiece
But as Mr.. Pease and the Rhode Islander were
late in reaching the prize, not indeed until we
were about leaving the harbor Of Barbados, il
was proposed and acceded to by those two
gentlemen, each to give up one quarter of his
share to Mr.. Andrews as reward for his
courage and perseverance, and for his having
acted as our leader from the commencement to
the termination of our enterprise
Many of us began to think of our country
and our homes, from which we had been SC
long absent; and accordingly Mr.. Andrews
Mr.. Aver and myself, came directly to the
United States in a schooner bound for Boston
and Mr.. Allen left in brig.
Such are the general outlines of most ex
traordinary adventure as detailed to me by one
who bore conspicuous part as an actor in the
same, and which have endeavored to narratt
above-confning myself as strictly as possibl,
to the naked facts. A. C. L.
What we call Duties.
Everv man Onuht m nav his debts ;f b.