The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-04-07

said our gallant commander, as she burst forth from
the jaws of the yeasty cataract Of foam No others
would have dared it! See now that our guns are dry.
We shall need them. Only keep at long shot until We
gain the beach, and we can land and let them do what
they please with our shattered canoe ,
After zig. tagging some time between the banks, we
were describing the chord of an arc of breakers, which,
connected with those We had crossed, curved on our
right in the shape Of Il horseshoe, to the Bay Point
beach. Our chance of escape frightened only single
safely fenced out by putting the breakers between US;
and the other had disappeared-wrecked as we after
wards learned, on Paris bank, in the squat.
Our boatmen were the choice of three plantations ;
and instead Of tagging under their late arduous efforts,
warmed aud invigorated by the exercise and excite
ment, and fresh as when the pursuit began, bore them.
selves bravely and Justify. Their spirits, depressed at
the chase, throwing their right arms saucily into the
air as they bent forward to give the oars their full
sweep, they half-whooped and jeercd at the enemy.
But the pursuing boat now pressed US harder than ever,
sending US shot after shot, while her gliding prov
flashed beautifully fierce, and her level lines Of oars,
like the wings Of a k~ing6sher, dipped and rose, and dip
ped again, with a seeming east and elasticity that was
provoking. We were the first, however, to reach and
shoot through the shallow channel between the shoal
and the beach. 1t was so narrow, that the spray OF
the breakers, on the right hand, and of the surf along
shore, on the other, mingled above our heads as we
passed but mauled as Devil-6sh was, we thought moth
ing Of this lesser peril, after our late escape.
Now, stop rowing. As they come through we'll
give them a point blank salute of buckshot, and land
through the surf. See to your dints and printing
Sam drew from its concealment his long musket,
which he had wrapped in his great-coat, and tied up in
the sail which had not been in use.
NJ Willick, asked Maurice, shall I shoot at the
oarsmen ?
No. not at them. You, and William, and Sam,
aim into the crowd astern. James and I will pay our
respects to the three red coats in her bows. Wait for
the word But see there-see on the beach |! and our
whole crew shouted a hearty cheer, as three white men
and as many negroes rushed down the sands, from along
the dead pines at high water mark, and wading waist
deep, fired into the British boat, while she was laboring
midway in the straight behind Us.
1T is Hilton and Trunkard Nobly done p shouted
the captain, waving his hat to them.
Now for it Back water, larboard oars round with
her, starboard oars! Now pull away, all hands, and
upon them That will do! Steady her so Aim we'll,
boys, and fire and We gave the hostile boat half the
benefit Of our double barrels, Sam winding up the vol.
ley with a hail-storm of slugs from his musket, followed
by another cross-6re from our allies on the shore.
The enemy were not passive, as / was made to feel
by a sort of galvanic shock in my right side, that drove
me, Keeling, against the main thwart, with q goodlv
trench along my ribs but they were too much discon-
certed by the unexpected assault from the land, to 70.
turn our fire with much effect. To increase their en-
barrassment, their four black oarsmen, swearing they
could stan dis no longer leaped overheard, and swan
for the land and the utmost labor and skill of tho
sailors remaining, could hardly keep their boat from
being swamped in the surf.
They put back, and were retreating when they re.
ceived our second FIRE and before the party on shore
could reload their pieces, they were out of the reach of
our shot, and rowing with the tide, towards Broad
River.