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

Gle, half cxtinguished in the pitchy black
ness Of the night. The wind had entirely
gone down but the rage Of the waters had
not yet abated and in contrast to the al
most preteruGiural stiffness Of the ali above,
they teamed and dashed wildly around and
against the vessels sides. Just behind,
narrow strip Of snow. white canvass showed
him where his own little craft was lying, and
most heartily did he wish himself again upon
her deck, and safe within the little harbor.
The earnest conversation between the pf-
rate captain and his mate was at last brought
10 close. The latter, apparently in pur-
suance of instructions from bis superior, gave
orders for lowering and manning one Of the
quarter boats. Ills men obeyed his COM
mands with the promptitude and precision of
a man of. wars crew, Manropes were rugged
upon The vessels side and Barton, with tho
handouts still upon his wrist, was conducted
10 them, and assisted III his descent by the
mate, who Immediately followed, and took
the tiller of the boat. With few nervous
strokes, the sturdy rowers sent it bounding
along through ihe darkness, in the direction
OF Barton's vessel, and soon they lay pitch
ing and tossing upon the yet restless waters,
Immediately under its bows.
His crew had perceived the approach OF
the boat, snd were filed with the direst ap-
prehensions respecting the errand Of those
whom it might contain. Unarmed as they
we're, however, resistance was not to be
thought of, and even had they been provided
with arms, and so successful as TO repel the
pirates boat, they were still directly under
the guns of the brig, and exposed to certain
and utter destruction, in return for any rash
or ill-advised attempt at escape. The mate,
therefore, assembled first, without opposition
or moes,aton two of the boats crew fol-
lowed, and, with the assistance Of those be-
hind, raised Barton after them. The boat
returned to the brig, leaving the mate with
two others, all armed 10 the teeth, in charge
of the Snow and its weaponless crew.
Release his hands," said the mate and
the heavy handcufis, being removed from
Barton's wrists, were thrown carelessly upon
the deck.
"Captain Barton" he continued, "you
will now take the helm. Direct one Of your
men to pace light in the rigging, and the
rest to remain amidships. On the slightest
movement, unless to obey necessary order,
they will be shot down; and assure you
that you will fine, xPur account in strictly
obeying the directions I shall give you. If
you do ,bi, taiIhfuIIy9 promise TO release
you in safety with your crew and vesseli II
otherwise, you can guess The penalty you will
suffer-"
; Barton betbopghl himself Of the conver-
sation he had overheard on board the brig,
) and was inclined to place but little conf
dence in promises like those.
ave must enter the harbor," resumed
the mate, " as soon as possible. The storm
is not ye, past, and ere long the wind will
again rise. Use every effort to make the
harbor. The light will direct the course Of
the brig, and remain here TO assure myself
of your faithfulness."
His opinion in regard to the renewal of
the storm was speedily verified. As the
wind had died away. more and more Of the
Stow, canvass bad been spread to enable it
to keep its place near the fast sailing brig |;
and in the perfect stiffness that ensued, it
was hanging idly against the masts. During
the interval of calm. the direction Of the
wind was entirely changed; and the blast,
which a moment or two after, burst upon
them, was directly from the northeast, and
; accompanied with torrent oi rain.
Barton had heard the roar Of the advance
ing tempest. and gave orders 10 shorten sail
at once. His crew, assisted also by their un-
hidden guests, sprang with one impulse to
obey him but ere their task was fully &C.
complshed, the gale was upon them in all
, its fury Careening frighlfully before it, the
little vessel trembled 10 her keelson as she
swung slowly round; but at the very mo-
ment when her submersion appeared inevi-
table. she gathered headway, and shot on
ward, though almost buried in the driving
foam. Finally, her canvass was secured, but
r she still plunged onward with undiminished
G and fearful velocity.
At no time could Barton have been easily
terrified by the conflicts of the elements
but here, he would have felt well-grounded
fear, had it not teen overpowered by yet
direr apprehensions, which made him insen
sible to the full extent Of his peril and, in
deed, TO such an extent, that the very yio-
l lence Of the tempest suggested 10 him q
l. means Of deliverance. lie s;i'l retained tho
dagger which he had so fortunately discov-
cred in the place Of his confinement; and
he hoped that an opportunity might yet pre-
y sent itself of attacking, with some advan.
tage, the guards who controlled his move
menis. This done, he might easily escape
by exiinguishing the light.
n But still, Barton did not fail to perceive
d the extent OF the difficulties that surrounded
, him. True, there were only three of ihe
!. pirates against four on his own side but the
n former were armed TO the teeth. while, ol
the latter none save himself had any weap
!. on whatever. Nor had he any opportunity
y: to communicate with his men. However,
> he determined TO do bis best, and either tc
u exiricaie himself, or perish in the attempt