The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-05-28

ability 10 outsail vessel SO heavily laden
and he determined TO improve this tcmpora.
ry advantage by seeking the company Of
the strange sail in the horizon the very one
which, a few minutes before, he had been
Regarding with so much apprehension.
Much to his surprise, the pirate manifested
no desire 10 interfere, at least Tor the pres
ent, with the operation of this plan, and fol-
owed quietly at somewhat increasing dis
tance no doubt prefcrring to await the
freshening oil the breeze, rather than take
the trouble Of pointing his guns at vessel
so insignificant in size.
As evening came on, the breeze rapidly
increased in force and steadiness. The brig
now came down before it much more swift
y; and, soon ranging considerably ahead,
hove TO. and fired gun across the bows of
the Snow. This peremptory intimation
was not to be disregarJcd; aud her captain,
with heavy heart, gave orders TO lower the
sails, and awaited further movements On the
part of the pirate. A short delay ensued !;
then boat was lowered, and Bellamy him
self, entering it with six Of his men, steered
directl, to the Snow. As he sprang upon
her low deck, he encountered the sullen
stare of the skipper, who was standing some-
wba, apart from the rest. Without seeming
10 regard its peculiar expression, he notion
ed him to enter the boat. Resistance was
out Of the question, and he was reluctantly
obeyed. He himself followed, having 6rst
cast his eve over the vessel, as If 10 learn
the nature and value Of her cargo. Appar.
emily, he was not much disappointed at the
total absence of any articles of value. In
deed, her uninviing appearance, from the
first, could hardly have led him TO expect
otherwise and it was evident, that, in TAX
ing possession of her, he must have acted
under some other inducement than the hope
of obtaining booty.
With his prisoner, he was speedily trans
ferred 10 the brig. He at once gave the
necessary orders for getting under way and,
seizing a speaking-trumpet, ordered the
Snow to keep close in his wake. This done,
he conducted his unwilling visitor below.
The gloom of evening was fast closing
around, as they descended the companion
way, and when they entered the spacious
cabin they found an already lighted chande-
lier suspended from its arched and richly
. ornamented ceiling. Its numerous lamp:
illuminated an apartment ot more than rega
magni6cence furnished with every article oi
use or luxury which ingenuity could devise
or art construct. Costly couches with cush'
ions of silk, and frames richly adorned with
gold. were ranged along the wallis Above
f them were suspended valuable paintings
= enclosed in glittering frames ; or immense
mirrors, which reflected and multiplied the
f surrounding srlendor. Rich Persian carpets
covered the floor, smothering the careless
tread; the ceiling was constructed Of oak
, paneing, and adorned with the most elabo
rate carving and gliding
Bellamy gave his prisoner but momen
. to complete this scrutiny of the apartment
and, flinging himself carelessy upon couch
: demanded his name and occupation.
I "My name," he calmly replied, is Bar
ton what my occupation may be, is of the
less Importance, as have but little pros
pect of soon resuming it,"
: Bellamy smiled grimy.
n "But you will allow me 10 infer, from tht
- character Of your vessel, that you are ira
' der on this coastf"
You are quite correct" Barton replied
81 presume, them returned the pirate
I" that you must"-
But suddenly checking himself, he arose
: and having paced the floor irresolutely for
few moments, he touched small bell nea
= him and awaited the answer to his summons
Immediately two men descended the com
pauonway, and entered the cabin; one bear
> ing heavy pair of handouts, with which
at a signal from his captain, he carefully sc
u cured Bartons hands. The other opened
: the door of an inner apartment, into whcl
he was unceremoniously thrust, to await tn
) final resolution of his capiors. Bellam.
= himself leaving the two men on guard il
= the cabin, ascended to the deck and joine'
y his mate who was standing BY the wheel.
- The apartment in which Burton foun'
himself was narrow, and so low as not to ad
> nit of standing upright. The total darknes
u left him in ignorance of its length; but thi:
e from the situation of the apartment, wa
r probably small. The care which had bee
taken TO prevent his escape through the cab
II in, indicated plainly that his capiors regard
ID ed him as securely confined so long as ,h
entrance 10 the apartment was kept guard
is ed Without attempting, therefore, 10 eS
l. plore lis depths, he seated himself eloomil
IN upon coarse mattress against which h
m feet had struck, ard gave himself up to tn
RS deepest dependency.
4. But, in spite Of the dishearening diliicu
e, ty and peril in which he was involved, b
e, weakness was but niomeniary. lie posses
ly ed too strong mind, and too Lfly cou
10 age, to yield himself to the force of outwar
ii circumstances while yet capable of maxim
n. any effort in his own behalf, and being sa
h., isfed that the designs of bis captor did nj
{ Immediately affect his life, but that he WI
III reserved to further some ulterior design, an
le relieved, therefore, from anticipations of an
in immediate evil. beyond that of confinement
d. he now endea, ored TO collect his thought
= IL A =