The Empire County argus., 1854-06-10

OlcerS TOOK up 1Our OF tnem IOOk lHe Hill,
the sixth was unoccuped. The briggs crew cons's-
ted of about forty men, more than half of whom
came on board after had taken my berth. They
were stout rough looking fellows though they would
compare we'll with the average of ships crews. The
captains name found to be Modego and | never
before, have since, witnessed such perfect dis
cipline as there on board that brig. Modego
could speak with his eyes, and J never saw man
disobey them.
On the third day out found that some of the
crew were making arrangements to set up the cook
range in the fore-peak, and after the culinary i'm
plements all removed thther the galley, which
had been standing amdships, was taken to pieces.
This movement was Of course strange to me- but
there stranger scene in store. This galley
had floor to it. and when this floor was removed |
circular railway of ron in the centre of which
was massive steel pivot. Once or twice | found
N1odiegos eye fixed searchngy upon me, but if he
| thought to read my emotions in my face he was
much mistaken, for few men possess more control
over their features than do. Yet was glad that
had noticed the captains look, for it placed me on
my guard.
After the deck was cleared Of the last vestige of
the galley, sheers were rugged over the main hatch,
and in half an hour afterwards a long, heavy brass
gun had been hosted out from the hold and placed
upon the afore- mentioned pivot.
ave smugglers need something fer protection" :"
quietly remarked the captain, as he approached me
after the gun was rugged.
30, certainly" said |, with q smile. 81 wondered
before that saw no implements for such pur-
pose"
Modicgo gave searching look, but he found
nothing but honesty in my countenance.
YES" he uttered, 1--WE are obliged to be prepared
for emergencies, for ours is dangerous business.
I believed him And began to wish that had
not been in quite so much of hurry to secure my
passage. But it was too late nOw---I had forced
myself into the plight, and had only to make the
best oft. OF cource [ had begun to think that my
companion were men who smuggled at both ends
CT the bargain--that the revenue not the only
institution against which their hands were raised.
For fourteen days the brig kept On her course to
the south'rd and westrd, and during th;t tine
had been on very fair terms with the oicers though
none Of them seemed inclined to familiarity. Once
or twice thought the captain seemed inclined to
make some overture to me, but whatever may have
been upon his mind he kept it to himself On the
morning of the fifteenth day | heard an unusual
hustle on deck, and on going up | found that the
tarpaulin had been taken from the long gun, and
that the men were bringing small arms up from
below. Modiego was at the starboard rail with
his telescope to his eye. looked in the direction
indicated by his glass and sawa ship not more than
four or five miles distant. She was evidently a
mcrchantman, and bound up the ocean, Modiego
Of length lowered his glass, and as he turned he
saw me-
"Ah-Mr Barclay" he said showing not the
least hesitation, 'you had better go below, for we
are likely to have business that may not be agreeable
| to youn
This order was not to be mistaken and simply
! bowling an acquiescence, turned and went back to
the cabin | will not attempt to tell what were my
feelings at that moment. OF course | knew now
that had taken passage in pirate and only Won
dcred that had beer allowed so to do but sub
! sequenty learned, from conversation that | over
| heard that Modiego had allowed me tC remain on
board through fear that might be the means of
exciting suspicion against him if he sent me off 1t
seemed that he feared .hat if told the officers on
shore of his refusal to ta-c nc, that it might in
some way, subject him to an examination. at least
So he thought it best to take me- and, if was like
ly to prove dangerous passenger, to dispose of me
in method peculiar to individuals of their profes
sion.
When reached the cabin seated myself near
the table and awaited the result My feelings were
various and changing. | had sorrow dsappoint-
ment, regret, and anger, though think the latter
emotion was the most prominent. In fifteen min
ues felt the shock of our long gun Then it boom
ed again--and again. Then heard the voice of
Captain Modiego as he called away his boarders
All was now hustle over my head. | heard the rat
tie of the small arms they being distributed
and the clankng of the graphing chains they
were dragged over the deck. Next | felt shock
that came nigh throwing mc from my seat-and
knew that the vessels had come together. Texpec-
ted to have heard loud, fendsh yes of onset but
in this was mistaken. heard Modiego give the
order for boarding, and then | heard the sharp
cracking of musketry Now my blood was up, and
at the head of dozen good men I would have at
tackled the pirates with good relish | could hear
the groans Of those who were wounded and now
that the heat of battle had looscned the restraint
subordnaton, | could lear the yell of the pirates
But the conflict soon ceased, and then knew that
the pirates were overhauling the ships cargo.
At the end of two hours the ship was allowed to
proceed on her way, and shortly afterwards Mode-
go was assisted down into the cabin by two of his
officers He had received musket ball in his thigh
but he would not leave the deck until he had seen
the shipo
81 shall soon get over it, heard him say, as his
bearers settled him upon stool And then notic-
ing me, he added, "Ah, Barclay wish you'd go on
deck and lend q hand at slowing away some of our
poor chaps that have been served with the same
sauce I've got. We had short fight but twas a
hard one. Them Yankees did us more damage
with their first muskery than could have believed
But they suffered for it, San Pedro but this thing
hurts
stopped not to hear more, or to make any an
swer to what had heard, but fastened at once on
deck, where found part of the crew engaged in
lowering various boxes and bales into the hold,
while near the wheel saw several small iron bound
oaken boxes that | knew to be filled with specie.
On forward found the dead and wounded, and of
course lent what assistance | could towards allie
Waiting the sufferings the poor wretchcs and yet
| did it with bad grace, for their mouths were
filed with coarse oaths and they writhed like cow