Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-05-02


came on shore, had charged us as being
pirates, and accused us of burning their
vessel, plundering their property, and
making them prisoners. We were at first
disposed to laugh at the exceeding impu-
dence of the crew, and the extreme gull
bility of the officers; but we soon found
that they were really in earnest. They
had invented this astonishing story of our
being pirates, for the very laudable pur-
pose of having US condemned and execu-
ted, that they might obtain our vessel in
stead of the burning ship from which we
had taken them to save their lives, and
afterward sustained them many days, on
our scanty allowance. We had indeed
reason to fear that they would accomplish
their purpose, as they were Catholics, and
consequently allowed to testify on oath;
while we were regarded as heretics and
criminals, and denied that privilege.
We were put into prison, and about
sunset two beautiful girls, apparently
about fifteen and seventeen years of age
brought us food. They were the jailer's
daughters. I was the only youth among
the prisoners, all the rest being bearded
men. fancied that the girls took par
ticular notice of me, and / observed that
one of them spoke English. After supper
they departed, and l went to Sleep and
dreamed of burning ships, and the indul.
gent 6reside of my mother.
Some time in the night was awakened
by slight noise, and on looking up,
saw beautiful girl standing beside me-
with lamp in one hand and small bun
die in the other. AS | raised my head
she drew back and spoke.
Are you an EngiiShman ?" inquired
she.
II am"
Are you hereto ?"
That tg is what your people call me! me-"
"From what?'
death"
81 am very well contented," said |,
" and do not imagine myself in any i'm
mediate danger of death, unless it be from
pair of pretty eyes"
" Do you not know" said she, =" that
you are to die tomorrow ?"
"You are beautiful girl replied I
" and l am duty bound to believe whatev-
er you say, but l imagine thatI shall
live to see a great many days after to-
morrow"
"You are mistaken" returned she
" your life has been sworn against and
unless you escape tonight l know of nc
chance for you. have brought you my
sisters gown; will you put it on and &C
with me ?"
Il have no objection to putting it on
for the pleasure of walk with YOU"
In a moment more we were passing
through the court of the prison. At the
extremity we encountered an armed SEN
tinel.
who is it," inquired he, in Spanish
Isabel"
"Who is with you ?"
my sister,"
We were suffered to pass, and proceed
ed Immediately to the shore. At the
wharf we found boat, and | was about
to bid farewell to Isabel and step into it
when she exclaimed "I will 90 with
you"
1t is some distance to the ship" said
l, and l fear you will encounter dan
ger"
Il can handle an oar" replied she
" and | have not the hydrophobia, to be
afraid of the water"
We sat down in the boat together.
And there she was, at midnight, alone
with stranger on the sea, passing off to
a strange ship! Noble, generous-hearted
girl she had forgotten everything in
her high sense of duty to befrlenue the
wretched.
On arriving at the ship, we found two
armed Spaniards walking the deck. Ny
companion told them that we had been
sent by her father, and they permitted
me to go on board | went directly to
my birth and took out two pistols which
| knew to be loaded. | then went to the
room in which the sixsmen, whom we left
on board the vessel, were confined =
+" Come, my comrades" / cried now is
your chance for success. Follow me.n
They hesitated.
j" Come upon deck" said !, and I will
make every man of you an officer: but I
shall blow out the brains of the first man
who refuses.
They all immediately followed me to
the deck. / then made sign to one Of
the Spaniards to go into the boat. He
delayed. | raised a pistol to his head
with determined motion; he stepped
over tha gunwale, and his companion fol-
lowed.
As the boat was about to push off from
the ship, took two doubloons from nv
pocket-the only money I had-and offer
ed them to Isabel.
!" Do you think that | would take mo-
ney 2 said she, Withdrawing her hand.
: Take the pieces" said to her in En-
glish, " and make these men as drunk as
you possibly can before morning. It is
the only chance to save the rest of the
crew.
" | will perform my part" said Isabel.
The boat proceeded toward the land
and we Immediately cut the cables of the
ship, and put out to sea.