Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-11-25
Gales ann gkcttbes.
THE L0CKET;
DIR. MURDER WILL OUT.

Some forty or fifty years ago there lay at an
chor in lonely, unfrequented bay or inlet on the
west coast of Africa vessel of small size, and of
British build. She was trader, and her pur-
pose in visiting the Africa coast was to open a
traffic with the natives, for whatever produce
could be obtained in tho way of barter, for va
rious and extensive assortment of European goods
with which she was provided.
The little vessel had been at anchor in the bay
alluded to for three days, and the deep darkness
an African night had gathered around her for
the third time since she had entered 1t. Two
seamen kept watch on deck. At least, two were
on deck for that purpose: but one of them, over
powered by the oppressive heat and closeness of
the atmosphere, had fallen asleep on coil of ca
BILE that lay in the fore part of the vessel, near
the windlass. The other man was leaning list
lessly over the stern, humming song, and ga
zing on the brilliant phosphorescent streams OF
light that were, ever and anon, shooting through
the dark abyss of waters beneath All at once
the mans ear caught the dull cautious sound OF
muffied oar. He sprang up in alarm from his
recumbent position for neither he, nor any one
in the vessel was aware of any ship being near
them from which boat could have come. Again
the fat, steathy sound of the muffied oar, which
now appeared to be close at hand.
His alarm increasing, the man. after straning
his eyes for second or two, in vain endeayor
TO penetrate the profound darkness around, and
obtain glimpse of the object OF his suspicion, II
not his fears, rushed to the companion-way, and
called down to the captain to come quickly on
deck as there was strange boat approaching
Ere the sentence was out of his mouth, however,
the boat he alluded to was alongside, and in the
next instant twelve or sixteen armed men, each
carving naked cutlass in his hand, had thrown
themselves on the deck, and rushing aft with
loud shouts and yeils, attacked and instantly de-
spatched both the unfortunate seamen who had
first given the alarm and the captain OF the YES
sci, who in his shirt and trowscrs, had Just gam
ed the deck as his murderers reached the COM
panion. This done the ruffians, leaving strong
party to keep watch on deck, hurried down be-
iew and put every one whom they found there to
death. They then assembled in the cabin, and
having forced some lockers, took thence num-
ber OF bottles containing various kinds of liquor,
and began regaling themselves with their con-
tents. which chiefly consisted of wines and spir-
its, which they quaffed largely, and with many
a ribald Jest and boisterous laugh
We may here pause moment to describe the
rutsian crew who now crowded the cabin of the
little trader. They were all reckless and despe-
rate looking men bare -throated, large-whisker-
ed, and deeply Drowned by the burning suns of
the trophies. They were all armed to the teeth;
each having brace of pistols and large knife
OF dagger stuck in his belt, besides sheathess
cutlass, which, when not in action, he carried
tucked under his arm, the bare blade projecting
far behind, while the hilt just appeared in
front.
Amongst these ruffians was one Of somewhat
milder aspect and more refined manners than the
rsst de was a young man, extremely hand