Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-08-27

forward of the foremast there was sma
hatchway which opened into the after part {
the fore-castle, and which was used for le
ting down a windsail I carefully took o
this hatch and then set fire to the mass
the kettle, and as soon as it burned we'll u
1 threw on a lot of wet rags and powdere
rosin and deck sweepings. Of course thi
made cloud of smoke and steam whic
would fill the forecastle in moment. le
it carefully down through the hatchway, an
as soon as it touched the forecastle floor
hastened aft. The mainsails had been al
ready clswed up, while I set fire to the pill
of combustibles on the tarpaulians, some O
the men have the main topsail aback, an,
when we raised the cry of FIRE fire 4! with al
our might; and some of my crew cut loos
the fastening of the slavers boat and bega,
to work it over the rail.
In moment the pile of stuff upon tn
secured tarpaulins was in blaze, and it look
ed exactly as thoug the flames came pour
ing up from the hold. Even to me; who hat
fixed all, it seemed as though the devourins
element had full sway below. Of course ny
own men rushed for the deck as soon as
let the kettle down, one of them remaining
upon the ladder to arouse the sleepers. HI
had to wait but a moment, however, for the
forecastle was filled with dense, hot smoke
ere my men had gained the deck. Then he
too, yelled-fre!
Ere long the Williams began to flock upon
deck. They came up in wild confusion, and
a ory of terror broke from their lips as they
saw the fire, as they supposed so furiously
bursting forth from the hold. I had kept o
man pouring water carefully upon the edges
of the tarpaulin, while another was throwing
oil over the fire.
"Ho! let that boat alone !" yelled the vii.
liau captain as he saw that my mon had it
nearly over. "Get your own boatw
I sang out for my men to bring out the
long boat, and they apparently went at the
work. In the meantime the Spaniards and
their companions got their boat over the side,
and then their captain wanted to know if
there was bread and water on deck.
m've put lot in your boat" I told him,
"for supposed it would hold all of US. But
if you want the boat all to yourselves, then
let me have one breaker of water and bag
of bread, can't get to the bread room now"
But the bloody william only told me to 90
to the very place where 1 fancied he ought
to have been, andthen ordered his mon to
60 over. Young Myers crept to my side and
asked me what he should d. "Stiok by
me-" ! answered.
In few moments their large river boat
was showed of, and the Williams seemed to be
waiting to see what we would do.
"Oh!" uttered Myres, in quick, fearful
tones. ~ am lost at any rate, and so are
you heard the captain tell his mate that
thsy'd push of and wait until you'd get off,
and then rob you of your provisions and eve-
rything! They'll do it they will surelyw
"We'll see," said I. And then turning
to my men, "Give the main topsail to the
wind-quick?" I cried and while the yards
were coming around dozen buckets of wa
tar were cast upon the fire. The water which
we had been pouring upon the edges of the
tarpaulin to prevent that from burning
through, had already formed quite pool in
the basin, and these twelve buckets extin-
guished the flames entirely. Myers was fair
ly thunderstruck. He could not at frst be-
lieve the evidence of his own senses but he
soon oomprehended the whole thing and then
l saw his hands quickly clasped until his
eyes turned upward.
By the time the fire was out, the old brig
had begun to gather headway, and the boat
was just under the stern. I looked over and
hailed the hounds.
"The fires all OUT I cried "Wouldn't t
you like to come back! Ho! I know you
now, you may try another plan for carrying
out your scheme %
"Where's Myers?" I heard one of them
ask.
"He's left behind!" said another.
And then came up the curses loud and
deep. The Williams now knew that they had
been somehow deceived, and that Myers had
betrayed them. They swore they'd have
his life; and many other things they swore
of equal terror They had six oars, and, l
heard their commander order them to pull
with all their might-aud they did so; but
we had fresh breeze, and the boat with its
black hearts and bloody hands, was soon out
of sight astern. The tarpaulins were taken
from the hatchway, and all was found safe.
The fire in the kettle had done no damage
in the forecastle, and ere long the place was
free from smoke, and the off watch turned
in.
We saw no more of the boat, nor have
seen any of her crew since. What become
of them l know not. If they were lost at
sea I could feel mournful, for, had I been
in doubt before, the oa:hs which I heard
from them after they were in their boat were
proof positive of their intention to murder
US and take possession of our vessel. In fact,
they assured us in so many words, and swore
they would yet do it! But they didn't.
John Myers proved himself a seaman, and
I engaged his services, and he has sailed
with me ever since. And now, my friends
let me just say have seen good many
hours of danger but never experienced quite
so severe shock as I did when John Myers
first told me the story of the SLAYER and her
crow Nor did T ever feel anv more cause