The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-13

Particulars of hs detention and escape Of Mr.. u.
r. Bourne, Of The schooner John dHyne, Of nis
port, by The Pafagonian Indians at pis Straits Of
Magellan.
TFrorn the Nao Bedford Mercury Of The 9Th
We have been favored with perusal Of n letter
from Capt. Benjamin r. Bourne, chief mate OF The
schooner John Alyne, (Which sailed from this port
on the 18th Of February, 1s49, for San Francsco,)
from which we gather the following interesting
particulars Of his detention by the Indians at the
Straits Of Magellan, and his subsequent escape
from captivity.
of Magellan on tho goth Of April. On the follow
ing morning, al the request OF Captain Brownnell,
who had seen group OF natives ON the beach with
a bullock Mr.. Bourne, accompanied by three men,
armed, proceeded TO the shore in boat with bag
Of bread for the purpose Of procuring bullock in
barter. Not liking the appearance OF the natives,
Mr. Bourne cautioned his men not 70 leave the
boat Another boat from the schooner, in the mean
time, was engaged in procuring sea-fowl near The
shore. Mr.. b. succeeded In trading with the ma
tivcs for some skins, while his companions with
the exception Of ono from the other boat had suf-
fered themselves 20 be coayed by the natives away
10 distance. Mr.. Bourne then sent the man who
had remained with him in pursuit OF the boats
crew with orders for their immediate return.
After n prolonged absence, the messenger re-
turned 20 the boat and asked for leave for himself
and the rest Of the boats crew 70 accompany the
natives 10 their houses, where they bad been as
sured they could procure refreshments, such az
eggs fowls, beef, potatoes, &c, in abundance. Mr..
Bourne declined TO accede to their request, and,
after long parley, the messenger refused TO return
20 the boat, but insisted upon communicating TO
the others Of the crew Mr.. Bourncs refusal of their
| request promising 10 return with them immedi-
atcly A long interval here elapsed without their
return, while in the mean time the beach became
tbronged with about three hundred Of the natives,
| The Old chief his wife, and two other natives had
taken possession Of the boat which. in consequence
| Of the ebbing OF the tide, remained aground upon
| the beach. Mr.. Bourne cndeavored 10 induce them
10 leave the boat in order that he might shove her
of 10 take water, addressing them in Spanish and
making signs TO them. both Of which they pre-
tended not 70 understand and entirely disregardcd-
Mr. Bourne perceived that their situation on shore
was becoming perilous, but, assuming an appear
ance of unconcern, he induced one OF the natives
70 permit him 10 mount his horse, saying that he
would have n bit Of ride, and try TO hunt up bis
men" After proceeding TO some distance, he saw
| the men approaching tho shore, one OF them
mounted alone, and the others riding behind the
| natives.
| The men still importuned for leave TO accompany
the natives, until Mr.. Bourne, at length realizing
the danger TO which they exposed, being at
the distance Of mile from the boat pot his horse
| into run, and going up ITO the leader of his men,
ordered them Immediately 70 retrace their steps