The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-08-17


heard on board of the brig, and when the
smoke cleared away, we could see that the
shot had brought down bis mainyard by
the run.
"Haven'tI done il natelyl" said Patrick.
''Yes, we have spoiled his after sail I" He
was right. The two csrronades, fred by
Captain NJ, had also told upon hid
main rigging; and one of The shots has
carried away his trysailboom., He was
unable longer TO hold his wind. AS he
fell off, he poured into is a broadside Of
grape and roundshot.
We wese so close that | know not how
any of US escaped destruction. Our main
mast went by the board, and poor Anlona
was killed by the fall. looked to the
great gun, and saw the Irishman stretched
beside it. A ball had entered his breast,
and the finger of death was upon him.
He beckoned me 10 him: and while en-.
deavored to staunch the Flood that flowed
copiously from the wound, he said, "Nor.
man, my boy, it is all over with Patrick
O'Flinn But thanks be 10 God ! we
have not died* without favoring the Don
with Bit Of comfortable news 10 carry
home with him to Porto Rico. BY my soul
he caught Tartar, when he fell foul of
the little Dolphin; and if Tommy Moore
would write bit Of a song about US. for
The honor of Ireland and Columbia-and
all lands where Gods craturs are lrampled
upon, it would plase my ould father better
than all the howls that are sure to be set
up in the parish Of Ballybrook, when they
hear of the death of Patrick O'Flinn.-
Master Norman, though you be Scotch
man, you're an Irishman in your heart /;
and il you reach The land before you're
kilt, you'll find few dollars in my chest
below,-you'l send them home TO my
falher-and judith, my poor wife, with
This letter, and you can write The poor
craturs a word of comfort and tell them
that Patrick died at his gun like man !"
| received his letter, and endeavored 10
console him with hopes (which | could
not myself sincerely enteriaiu) of his sur
viving his last wound. He shook his
head, and becoming faint, said-"I wish
| could but see one of the red hot shot
fred at the Don, before take my laUe of
YOU"
The captain, was at the helm, and when
we lost our main mast, he kept her before
the wind, in course parallel with that of
the brig. We were within pistol. shot Of
her, yet felt, absolutely know not how
reckless Of all danger. There was no one
left to load the great gun but myself.
sent home cartridge; and seeing the brig
making preparations 10 board us, | hasten.
ed 10 the cAboose, and was pleased to OBJ.
serve that several of the balls were at an
almost white heat. | FASTENED TO the gun,
and while ramming down Two wet wads
the contents Of canister shot, as sup.
posed, from the brig, struck Captain
Nj on the left shoulder, tore the
flesh from the bones, and left his shattered
forearm hanging by little more than q
piece of skin. He looked calmly at the
wounds, yet retained, for some time his
hold. / knew little of surgery, but it ap.
peared TO me that he could not long sur.
vive, although every appliance were al
hand. The young surgeon had left some
linen on the trunk Of the cabin. ! bound
up the wound in his breas, as well as
could, and no tourniquet being at hand, !
put a handkerchief round the upper par
of the arm, thrust Delaying pin under it
and dghtened it by twisting. The blood
however, flowed fast, YET he remained
perfectly composed. Hebccame faint.
ran 10 the cabin to bring some wine for him
and O'Flinn, but found every bottle in the
lockers smashed by the shot that had enter
ed our hull.
sprang to The deck with can of wa
ter. They 10th drank eagerly, and the
captain, lashing the helm little awealhel
so that the vessel kept pretty steadily OIL
her course, sat down close 10 the breecl
of the great gun where poor O'Flinn lay
with his head resting upon the carriage
lie shook hands with his dying comrade
whose eye lighted up as he saw him; ant
was affected lo tears 10 observe him 81
dread(ully wounded. There was a dea,
silence for few moments, when the cap
tain tuning to me said family, as he pullel
a small miniature portrait from his breast
"Norman! should you survive to reach on
of the islands of your cotntrymen, o
should you, more fortunately, soon, visi
your native land, remit this trne TO Deppe
The address is on the back; and will serv,
as small token of my undying attach
ment. have no living relatives that arr
known 10 memo one so dear 10 me a
poor Antoine, the maid whose beauty lhi
but family represents; whose worth AM
tenderness are, aks! lost to me forever. !
: you can find leisure 10 write to her-to tel
her in manner that will least wound he
gentle spirit, Of my death-l know yol
will do it. There is some property oil
board besides your own. Should you b.
enabled to secure it from the enemy, yol
will please remit it to the widows, orphans
or reiaii'cs Of NY crew, who have hi
day perishcd, and whose names and resi-
dences you will find written in The begin
J ming Of the log book And now, youn
) man, ere my strength entirely fails, brinI
: us hot shot from the furnace, and vii
: myself endeavor to IRE last gun at ou
iailhloss enemy"
| took the rortrait-that Of a beaililu
, young female in Marie Stewart cap
and wrapping it in piece of sail cloth
that had been shot away from the forcsoi
rut it carefully into my bosom. wa
: unable 10 speak. sobbed aloud. NJ