Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-06-27
Eitrrarp 5clrftions.
THE NIGHT ATTACK.
BIZ HORACE B. STAMFORD.


to take one of the French steamers here
for Algiers, but learning that there was
a brig bound for Tripoli, determined to
take passage in the latter craft if could
be accommodated. 1t was the brig Bon
FIRE, Of New York, and commanded by
William Belknap, man whose acquain-
tance ] had already made. On applica-
tion to him, l was shown to a state-room
at once, and kindly informed that l might
occupy It by paying my share of the
mess-money, as long as he remained in
the Mediterranean. at once put my
luggage on board.
BeIknap had intended to sail Saturday
morning. but on Friday night we were
warned not to leave the harbor without
a permit. On inquiry, we were inform
that twenty-four galley slaves had made
their escape, and it was supposed they
might attempt to take their departure hy
some of the vessels in the harbor, On
Sunday afternoon those vessels which
wished to sail were visited by two officers
of the galleys, and as nothing was found
on board of suspicious character, they
were allowed to depart. 1t was three
o'clock, 2. NJ, when the officers reached
our vessel. They boarded US, and hav-
ing peeped into every nook and corner
where man could have been concealed
rs well as into great many places where
kitten could not have crept, they took
their leave and gave US permission to
start.
In passing the island of St. Leon, we
noticed small Dago felucca close in un-
der the shore on the seaward side, and
the captain was sure he saw the dress of
q convict on her deck. / caught a glass,
and having levelled it upon the craft, was
sure that /, too, could see a convict
That cap and shirt were not to be mista-
ken. And there were more than one of
them, too. Some one proposed return
ing and giving information to the guard,
and thus get the reward.
ssNo, no, said Captain Belknap; ''if
the poor dogs have run so much risk, and
got sofar, let 'em go"
So ON we went, and just as the island
and the felucca sank from sight beyond
the lIorrizan the sun went down. We
were just week in making the run, for
it was towards the middle Of the after
noon on Sunday, when we dropped an
chor in the harbor of Tripoli; and it was
then that ] learned for the first time the
object of Belknap's visit here. He had
come to bring twenty thousand dollars in
gold, to Dir. McCauley, the American
consul here, which money was for some
merchants or travellers who were then
somewhere on the great desert. 1t was
nearly five o'clock in the evening, when
a felHcca came in and anchored within
quarter of mile of US.
'sBy the great Mogul," uttered Mr..
Murphy, the first mate, who was exam
ining the felucca through his glass, ..that
fellow looks natural. We saw that chan
under the bluffs of St. JEAN
This led to general examination of
the felueea, and we we're not long in de-
Gliding that the mate was right. TIE be
sure, there might be a hundred vessels
like that one in general outlines; but
there was a patch in the planking of the
bows which we well remembered. and she
had peculiar set of the masts. At all
events we were sure she was the one we
had seen BY the island of St. Leon.
-'And why has she followed u us?" was
the next question.
@0f course them villains can't know
we've got money aboard" said Wild
redge, the second mate.
swell l don't see why the convicts
mayn't know it, returned the captain ;
since here were four of them engaged
IN bringing it down.
but ] thought them wasn't galley
slaves, said Wildbredge.
They bunk in the same place" an
swersd the captain, 'and could have told
an 'ne conFlets of the facts, if they wish
ed"
II was soon evident that the galley.
slaves of Toulon could have known thai
we had great sum of gold on board 70,
part Of one of the gangs had been en-.
gagged 10 bringing down the boxes. Tn.
next question was-had these scamp.
run down here after US for the purpos,
OF f0bbing the brig? We knew ther,
we're several eonvicts on board the feluc
ca, Tor We could see them even now
sone Of them having probably had n,
opportunity to exchange their clothing
re also knew they had had an opportu
my q earning the fact of our havinI