The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-01-26
American Spirit.

Previous to the last war with England,
when British officers were in full tide of
their odious impressments, an American
ship belonging to Boston, was at Dema
rara, discharging her cargo, when she
was boarded by boat from gun brig
lying at no great distance. The crew
were mustered, and projections examined,
and one New Hampshire boy, noble
and fearless spirit, and young in years, of
a vigorous frame, was ordered into the
boat. The officer collared the youthful
seaman, but was instantly laid sprawling
by we'll directed blow of his fist.
The boats crew rushed to to the spir-
tied American who was finally overpow-
cred, pinioned, thrown into the boat, and
conveyed on board the English brig.
The e'lieutenant complained to the COM
manding officer, of the insult he. had re-
ceiyed from the stalwart Yankee, and his
battered face corroberated his statement.
The commander at once decided that such
insolence demanded exemplary punish
ment, and that the young Yankee requir-
ed, on his first entrance into the service, a
lesson which might be of use to him here
after.
Accordingly the offender was lashed to
a gun by the inhuman satellites oftyran-
ny, and his back barred to the lash. Be-
fore a blow was struck, he repeated his
declaration that he was an American cit
izen, and the sworn foe to tyrants. He
demanded his release, and assured the
captain in the most solemn aad impress
i've manner, that if he persisted in pun
ishing him like the vilest malefactor, for
vindcating his rights as an American cit
izen, the act would never be forgiven
but that his revenge would be certain and
terrible.
The captain laughed aloud, at what he
considered to be menace, and gave the
signal to the boatswains mate. The white
skin of the young American was soon lac
Grated; blows fell thick and heavy on the
quivering flesh. He bore it without a
murmur or groan; and when the sig
nal was given for the executioner to cease,
although the skin was hanging in stripes
on his back, which was covered with clot-
ted blood, he showed no disposition to
faint or falter. His face was somewhat
paler than it was wont to DE, but his lip
was compressed, as if he were summoning
determination to his aid, and his dark
eyes shot forth brilliant CLEANS, showing
his spirit to be unsubdued, and that he
was bent on revenge, ,even if his life should
be the forfeit.
J, His hands were loosened, he arose from
his humiliating posture. lie glared
fiercely around The captain was stand
ing with demoniac grin upon his fca-
/, lures, as if he enjoyed to the bottom OF
: bis soul the disgrace and torture inflicted
upon the poor Yankee. The haplcss suf-
ferer saw smile of exultaton, and that
moment deciced the fate of his oppressor.
, With the activity, the ferocity, and
strength of the tiger, the mutilatod Amer
lean sprang upon the tyrant, and grasped
him where he stood ,surroundid by his Of
fcers, who seemed paralyzed with aston
} ishment, and before they could recover
: their senses and haste to the assistance
l of their commander, the American had
borne him by the throat with one hand,
6ercely embracing him with the other;
r despite his struggles, leaped with him in
, to the turbid waters of the Demarara -
: They parted to receive the tyrant and hi:
! victim, and then closed over them, and
{ neitheir were ever afterwards seen; botl
/. had passed TO their long account.