Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-11-10

a packet, ION service, was delivered to Can
tain Horton. Orders were immediately affer-
ward issued to sail in the direction of the most
southern of the two rivers, to hug the shore
still closer, and that every thing should, in
the mean time, be prepared for boat attack.
This was done with will. Sharp cutlasses
were re-sharpened to keener edge, clean pis-
tolls recleaned and double fints replaced by
more reliable ones, and finally Lieutenant
King reported that every thing was in readi-
ness. Night was by this time drawing on,
and not very clear one: we had shoaled our
water quite as much as prudence permitted,
and were close by the mouth of the most south
erly of the rivers. Captain Horton ordered
that the sloop should lie to, and that his gig,
manned and armed, should be got Immediately
ready. He had frequently-I have omitted to
state-gone on shore at about the same hour
to reconnoitre, we supposed-hitherto without
success-and we rightly concluded that his
present purpose was the same. He came on
deck few minutes after the last order had
been given, and addressing the first-lieutenant,
said, am about to leave you, sir, in com
mand Of the sloop. You will keep her as
nearly as may be where she is till / return. -
1t will probably be necessary to act with all
the boats, and you had better, therefore, get
them alongside, ready manned and armed, so
that when the decisive moment comes, there
may be no delay He then went over the
side, was rowed ashore, and there was LIGHT
enough to see he proceeded inland, accompa-
MED by his coxswain only, according to his
previous custom. rather fancy that doubt
whether he might not have mistaken his man,
had already crossed even Lieutenant Kings
bitterly-prejudiced mind.
Hour after hour passed the boats lay
heaving upon the water and impatience was
fast changing into anxiety, when quick, reg
ular, man-of-war's jerk of oars was heard,
and, in few moments, the gig was alongside
without the captain and coxswain. A letter
from Captain Horton for the first-leutenant,'
said the stroke oarsman, brought us by a
mulatto chap, with orders to deliver it.imme-
diately.' Lieutenant King snatched the let
ter, tore it open and stepped to the binnacle-
lamp to peruse it, But it is necessary that |
should, before giving its contents, relate what
had previously occurred to the writer, as it
came subsequently to our knowledge.
Captain Horton and his coxswain had pro-
ceeded cautiously inland along the margin Of
the river for about mile, when they were
suddenly pounced upon by large party
coarsely abused, bound, and hurried away in
separate directions The commanders cap
tors halted with him at last at kind of hut,
In which he found the before-named Jose Pas
co, with number of other ruffians as desper-
ate and savage as himself, engaged, it seemed,
IN council. Near the hut-for no concealment
was afected-he observed an immense wooden
frame covered with tarred canvas-a monster
tent, in fact, filled with negroes and in the
river, just opposite, was an armed clipper
brig, also full as it could cram of the same
living cargo. A shout of ferocious delight
greeted the captains entrance into the hut,
and then Pasco commanded that he should be
unbound. What next occurred, / abbreviate
from the evidence afterward given before the
mixed commission by the mulatto who deliv-
cred the captains letter to the men in the gig,
and that of Juan Paloz, an admitted witness
for the captors
It's lucky we've caught you, Captain Hor-
ton 7 said Pasco, instead of you us. That
accursed vessel Of yours has been brought, we
find off the mouth of the river. She must re-
move further away for we intend that the
brig you have seen shall sail tonight ef
Captain Horton, who was very pale, the
witnesses deposed, but calm and firm, did not
answer, and Pasco continued
We intend that you shall Immediately
write an order to the officer left in command
OF the Curlew, directing him-a plausible rea-
son can easily be given-to instantly weigh,
and proceed to point about league north
ward, where you can meet him, you know
And what is the penalty, if refuse! =
Deathp was the savage response from
half a-dozen voices. Death = echoed Pasco,
as certainly as that you are living man,
and--I was at Sierra Leone short time since
that you wish to remain one.
Captain Horton was silent for brief space,
and then said 'Give me pen and paper,
since it must be so.' This was done the
captain took the pen in his hand, sat down,
made one or two strokes, and said, with an
expression of pain: Your. cords have so
hurt my wrists and fingers that can hardly
hold the pen let some one of you write as !
shall dictate. My seal will be sufficient au-
thentcation besides, the officer will imagine
my coxswain wrote it,
You must write YOURSELF said Pasco 'no
one here knows English
Ha! well, then, suppose I must try and
manage it myself. The letter was written,
folded, sealed, and directed.
A muttered conference next took place be-
tween the slave-dealing ruffians, at the end of
which Pasco said, Let us well understand
each other, Captain Horton. You no doubt
have heard that whatever else may be | al
ways keep my promise, whether for good or
evilp N.Y.
That is, know, your character
Then listen to me. Should the Curlew
not remove northward, in obedience to this
lo4far won Sb Ill ho shot norfa inlv that