The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-21

8 Il
beach We could see it through the woody lool
ed as it always had done in the hottest time .
the Gay. The guard we're in the shadow of tn
sIoops hull, and nothing was moving but tn
sea, and that moved very family. Work ha
always been knocked off at that hour, until tn
sun grew less fierce, and the sea. breeze rose
80 tnat It's being HOLIDAY with Us made no dill
ference, just then, in the look of the place. Blu,
may mention that it was a holyday, and tn
hrst we had had since our hard work began
Last nights ball had been given, On the leak
being repaired, and the GARDENING done. TIL
worst OF the work was over, and tomorrow WI
were to begin to get the sloop afloat again.
we Marines were now drawn up here, unde
arms. The chaceparty were drawn M sepa
rate The men of the Columbus were draw,
up separate. The officers stepped out into tn
MIDST OF the three parties, and spoke go as al
might hear. Captain Carton was the officer i,
command, and he had spy glass in his hand
His coxswain stood by him with another spy
glass, ana with slate on which he seemed t,
have been taking down signals.
NOV, men! says Captain Carton, G.
nave 10 let you know, for your satisfaction
Firstly, that there are ten pirate boats. strong
ly manned and armed, lying hidden up a creel
yonoer on the coast, under the overhap gins
branches of the dense trees. Secondly. tina
they will certainly come out this night. wher
the moon rises, On pillaging and murderine
expedition, of which some part of the main
land Is the object Thirdly don't cheer, men!-
tnat We will give chace, and, if we can get a.
them, rid the world of them, please God!"
NOBODY spoke, that l heard, and nobody
moved, that l saw. Yet there was a kind O.
ring, as II every man answered and approved
with the best blood that was inside of him.
Sir," says Captain Maryon, A" 1 beg to vol
unteer on this service, with my boats. NV PEG
pie volunteer, to the ships boys"
In His Majesty's name and service" the
other answers, touching his hat, I" / accept your
aid with pleasure. Lieutenant Underwood
how will you divide your men2"
was ashamed-I give it out to be written
down as large and plain as possible was
heart and soul ashamed of my thoughts OF
those two sick officers, Captain Maryon and
Lieutenant Underwood, when saw them, then
and there. The spirit in those two gentlemen
beat down their illness, land very i'll l knew
them to be,) like Saint George beating down
the Dragon. Pain and weakness, want of
ease, and want of rest, had no more places
IN their minds than fear ITSELF Meaning now
to express, tor my lady to write down, exactly
what felt then and there, felt this: on
two brave fellows that l have been so grudge.
full OF know that if you were dying, You
would put 1t Oft to get up and do your best; and
then you would be 30 modest, that in lying
did it!'"
It did me good. 1t really did me good
but, to go back to where / broke off. Saws
Captain Carton to Lieutenant Underwood,
Sir, how will you divide your men? There
is not room for all; and few men should, in
any case, be Left here"
There was some debate about it. At last it
was resolved to leave eight marines and four
seamen on the Island, besides the sloop's two
boys. And because it was considered that the
friendly Sambos would only want to be com.
manded in case Of any danger, Though none
at all was spprehended there the officers
were in favor of leaving the two non. commits.
stoned officers, Drooce and Chsrker. 1t was a
heavy disappointment to them, just as my being
one OF the left was heavy disappointment to
Grew fibfsp out not soon afserwards. We men
Tom Packer. So, of course, did four more Of
our rank 81 file.
When this was settled, verbal instructions
were given to all hands to keep the intended
expedition secret, in order that the women and
children might not be alarmed, or the expe-
dition put in difficulty by more volunteers.
The assembly was to be on that same spot at
sunset Every man was to keep up an ap-
pearance of occupying himself in his usual
way. That is to say, every man, excepting four
old, trusty seamen, who were appointed, with
an officer, to see to the arms and ammunition,
and to mufile the rullocks of the boats, and to
make everything as trim, and swift, and silent,
as it could be made.
The Sambo Pilot had been present all the
while, in case of his being wanted, and had aaid
to the officer in command, five hundred times
over if he had said it once, that Christian
George King would stay with the So Jeers, and
take care of the booffer ladies and the bocffer
childs-booffer being that natives expression
for beautiful, He was now asked few cues.
tons concerning the putting eff of the boats,
and in particular whether there was any way of
embarkng at the back of the Island which
Captain Carton would have half liked to do,
and then have dropped round in its shadow, and
Christian George King. "No, no, no Told
you so, ten time. No, no, no All reef, all
rock, all swim, all drownl" Striking out as he
said it, like q swimmer gone mad, and turning
over on his back on dry land, ard sputtering
himself to death, in a manner that made him
quite an exhibition.
The sun went down, after appearing to be q
long time about it, and the assembly was called.
Every man answered to his name, of course.
and was at his post. 1t was not yet black dark,
and the roll was only just gone through, when
up comes Mr.. Commissioner Pordage with his
Diplomatic coat on.
"Captain Carton" says he, "Sir, VIVA. is
this ?"
"This, Mr.. Commissioner" The was very
short with him. sis an expedition against the
pirates. 1t is a secret expedition, 80 please to
keep it a secret"
Sir" says Commissioner Pordage, 81 trust
there is going to be no unnecessary cruelty
eommitted7"
"Sir," returns the officer, 81 trust not"
That is not enough, sir" cries Commits
sioner Pordage, getting wroth. "Captain Car.
ton, give you notice. Government requires
you to treat the enemy with great delicacy,
consideration, clemency, and forbearance."
Sir" says Captain Carton, I" / am an Eng.
lish officer, commanding English men, and l
hope am not likely to disappoint the Govern
ment's expectations. But presume you know
that these villains, under their black flag, have
despoied our countrymen of their property,
burnt their homes, barbarously murdered them
and their little children, and worse than muir,
dered their wives and daughters ?"
Perhaps | do, Captain Carton" answers
Pordage, waving his hand, with dignity "per-
haps ! do not. !. is not customary, sir, for
Government to commit itself"
1t matters very little, Mr.. Pordage, whether
or no. Believing that hold my commission by
the allowance of God, and not that have received
it direct from the Devil, shall certainly use
it, with all avoidance of unnecessary suffering,
and with all merciful swiftness of execution, 70
exterminate these people from the face of the
earth. Let me recon Hend you to go home,
sir, and to keep out of the night air."
Never another syllable did that officer say to
the Commissioners, but turned away to his men.