The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-10-03
81 COUNCIL BLUFFS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1851

Several Of our companions in misfortune,
feiated to us their experience Of Captain
SnoderaD's tender mercies, and al Joined
in assuring us, that our only hope rested
upon quiet submission on our part to the
viii OF our trysnt. We gave strict atten-
tention to their description Of the comman-
der's character, with those Of his subordi-
mates, whom they represented as little bet
ter than their superior, and all Joined in the
attempt to persuade US to make virtue Of
necessity and submit.
sThe yarns they told US concerning the
skipper, aided by hopes they entertained
and impaired to us in measure-o
speedy escape, induced Harry and to SUBJ
init to our fate without any show Of resist
ance; but Sam was immovable, as was
Reuben also; the fogging inflicted upon the
former having awakened within his bosom
q thirst for revenge, and spirit Of obsti-
nate resistance, IN both Of which Reuben
shared largely. In addition to this Sans
fate was rendered more unbearable, by the
fact, that in being pressed, he was torn from
the arms Of q young and lovely girl, to
whom he was engaged, and was to marry
Immediately after his return from Georges
Banks.
Sla1the bitterness Of his disappointment,
he sWcre he would obey no order on board
b svss i they sya d him t. death ssh
be aead e Geo FIRST. e. ZOE So sa
ben, and HE kept his word to the letter.
While Sam, though he did not enter the ser
vice, or obey an order, yet escaped the
penalty paid by Reuben within forty-eight
hours after, he being shot dead by the cap
tain while in the act of defending himself
against an attack on the part of the second
lieutenant, who, irritated at his refusal to do
duty on board, SO forgot his dignity, as to
resort to personal violence, for the purpose
Of compelling him to obey. Reuben prov
ing rather too much for him in the struggle,
was shot by the skipper on the spot, and
fell dead at the feet Of his antagonist.
sFrom that time forth, Sam Herrick led
. dogs life; being kept in confinement dur
ing most of the time, until we joined the
Admiral, when our crew were subjected to
a draft, to supply the deficiency existing in
the crews of some of the larger vessels Of
the feet.
sWhen the lots were cast, those fortu-
nate enough to be drawn for another ship,
were sincerely envied by those who were
fated to remain on board the brig, Of which
number, Sam and l were unfortunate
enough to be. Harry was drawn for the
Belvidere Frigate, one Of the best ships in
the squadron perfect heaven for sailors
by all accounts-and we were left alone
would much rather Sam had gone with
Harry, even though had been altogether
alone, as should then be spared the pain
of witnessing his punishment, which had
no power to prevent. ..
Eve had been but one month on board
the brig at this time, yet, in that brief Pc
riod, he had been FIVE times at the gangway,
for alledged disobedience, disrespect Of Of
fcers, and mutinous conduct; and from be-
ing one of the best and most cheerful ship
mates in the world, be had degenerated
into the most morose and misanthropic be-
ing imaginable. .-4
I'VE had not been many days at anchor
in Port Royal Bay, when Capt. Snodgrass
received orders from the Admiral to cruise
to the Northward and eastward, in the vi
cinity of St. Domingo, to act as spy up
on the movements of the French, which or
ders he hastened to obey, as he felt the
presence of the Admiral to be check upon
his actions. But we had scarce lost sight
of Jamaica, when he gave unrestrained vent
to his pent up passions, Sam coming in for
double share Of his anger as usual.
'We made our cruising ground, and
| cruised there for some time without meeting
with any adventure worthy of note, during
which period, Sam was kept in close con-
finement on board, because of his steady
refusal to do duty as one Of the briggs crew.
'His food was bread and water, and but
a short allowance of that, which deprivation
together with the unhealthy air Of the Or
lop-deck, where he was confined, soon wore
him down until he was but skeleton. By
dint of persevering entreaty, gained his
consent to submit for brief period to the
will Of the officers, hoping that few hours
exercise in the open air might especially
benefit his health. He was released upon
his signifying submission, and placed in
the gunner's crew, who received orders to
work him up. The gunner's chief mate be-
ing kind hearted fellow, pitied him, gave
him the breach Of a carronade to polish
during that watch, SO that he might enjoy
the full benefit of the refreshing breeze.
sHe was engaged in this task, when the
captain came on deck at two bells in the af-
ternoon watch, who, observing him at work
on the gun, approached, and in sneerlng
tone exclaimed:
$50 you have come to it at last, have you?'
Sam continued his labor without looking
up, whereupon the skipper resumed:
DO you not deem your present employ
ment quite, if not more genteel than catch
ing cod6sh2-Answer me you scoundrel!-
Do you know who amp
Il do replied Sam, curtly.
Beware! you I'D scoundrel, beware
how you reply Kissed the skipper through
his clenched teeth; adding. sfouch your
hat when you are spoken to. spll teach you
how to respect your officers.
Sam dropped the rag he was using; at
the moment the offensive epithet fell from
the captains lips, and assuming an upright
position, confronted the tryant, regarding
him with steadfast gaze, until he conclud-
ed, when he replied:
sScoundrel! Take back that epithet. 'Tis
more applicable to yourself than me. Recol-
lect you are not my officer, and as for touch
ing my hat to you, never have, nor never
will, SO help me heaven! Mark my words,
tyrant! you and your blood stained country
shall yet rue the day which beheld the i'm
pressment of free-born citizen Of Ameri-
ca into the service of England's King
SILENCE, catif! lubber! VOLTS whelp.-
Do you dare to address such language to
me? Do you dare to brave my power to
my face, and On his Majesty's quarterback?
'Yes, tyrant dare and do brave it; and
tell you to your face, that for every drop of
American blood, drawn from American sea-
man by the English lash, ye shall lose an
hundred, and still more, ye shall behold that
meteor flag, of which ye boastso porudly-
humbled to the dust, trampled upon, and
its glory forever tarnished by ignoble defeat,
at the hands of that people whom ye in your
pride designate pirates, barbarians and saw
ages ...
Master at-arms,' roared the skipper, sput
that man in irons, and starve him to sub
mission
Sam was instantly siezed by his MASTER
at-arms, who proceed at otce to iron him,
the captain in the meantime raving like q
maniac. As soon as he beheld him securely
ironed, he seemed to loose all control Of