The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-11-04

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semi-barbarous regions Of Asia | had roved /
had seen the aurora borealis dance over the
regions of eternal frost THE sun in vain at
tempt to dissolve the claims which an arctic
winter had formed land | had felt its fervid
heat where equinoctial skies shed their debili-
tating and pernicious influence. | had tray-
ersed the plains Of Orinoco, and the banks of
the La Plata; [ had climbed the Cordileras,
and, with the enthusiasm of youth beheld the
setting sun Gid those bright Isles of the Pacific,
which are sprinkled in such profuson over the
surface of its broad blue waters and whose In
habitants are as guilelcss and unsuspecting as
their skies are bright and cloudless. had seen
the St. Lawrence rolling its majestic stream,
collected from thousand lakes, to the ocean -
and | was then floating on the bosom Of the
father Of the rivers, which, rising among the
frozen lakes and interminable forests of the
north, discharges its turbid waters into the
Mexican Gulf, amidst the orange groves and
sugar plantations of the South while after
years of absence had elapsed, | was about to
visit the parental roof with the intention Of
bringing my wanderngs to close, and spend
the remainder of my days in quiet contentment
and peaceful happiness. Nor was my interview
with the stranger of such mysterious character
and appearance forgotten His apparent con-
nexion with the Pirates who, if report stated
correctly, frequented the islands which lie off
the Mississippi and whose inhuman atrocities
formed common topic of conversation at New
Orleans, | felt to be ominous Of the result Of
our voyage; and although his words afforded
a ray Of hope to me, | wished | had not seen
him.
Such were my feelings, as | in vain wooed the
god Of sleep for temporary oblivion to my per-
turbed ideas and it was not until the watch
had been changed for the last time that [ fell
asleep. from which did not wake in the morn
ing until the vessel was already several miles on
her VOYAGE When Invent upon deck the yes
sci was floating along the current between the
high woods which covered both banks of the
river Scarcely breath Of wind was to be
felt-the sails hung idly against the mast, and
we depended on the current alone to speed us
to the ocean. fever there was country over
which the genius of desolation might be said to
hold undisputed dominion, it is the region
around the mouth Of the Mississippi Below
Plaquemines it is one dreary and desolate marsh,
covered with cane and reeds, and sinking grad
ually to the dead level of the Gulf For miles
before we reached the mouth of the river, the
sea could be distinctly seen from the mast head
stretching away on each side of the point of
land formed by the continual dispositions of this
mighty stream. Subject to overflow by the rise
Of the Mississippi or the foundations of the
Gulf, and frequently submerged to the depth Of
six or eight feet by the autumnal tomadoes, no
animals are to be seen; and the cormorant, as
he wings his lonely way along these dreary
shores, finds a precious resting place on the
banks of sand shells which the continual break
ING of the waves has raised around these pesti-
lential marshes.
At last the bar was passed, and we found our
selves on the broad bosom of the Gulf. The
sailors, delighted with the prosperous commence
ment of the voyage were all mirth and glee
and while the sails were filed with breezes which
York our Port of destination, the cam of grog
circulated freely, and mirth, and dance, and
song, swept the hours rapidly away.
Our captain was an able officer, in whom we
could repose the utmost confdenee-the subal-
terms were experienced and attentive the crew
consisted of eleven hardy rough sons of the
ocean, making in all, including myself and two
other passengers, about twenty souls on board
The vessel was new stout ship, merchant
rugged but mounting six guns and well provided
with arms and amunition and all the necessary
implements Of offensive or defensive war. The
day passed away and it was not until the fore
noon of the second day after leaving the river
that any thing occurred to vary the duh monot-
ony of a sea voyage | was sitting in my cabin
arranging some packages of papers, &C., when
I was reused by an unusual uproar on the deck
and the boatswains shrill whistle calling all
hands to quarters | speedily deposited in their
trunks the papers was reviewing and fastened
to the deck - before reached which, however,
| heard several guns fired
The cause Of alarm was vessel of suspicious
appearance, which had been bearing down for
some time apparently with the intention of
crossing the Cleopatra's course, and though the
British colors were at the mast, (and they were
within hail. they neglected to answer the re-
peated call of Captain Bowden, who at last
ordered gun to be fred over them To this
no attention was paid few men were to be
seen on deck-an and the vessel continued her
course in a manner which indicated an intention
to lay the vessel Immediately on board our ship.
At this moment Capt. Bowden hailed them and
ordered them to keep off, or he would FIRE upon
them; when the decks of the vessel were in-
stantly crowded with armed men; the British
colors were hauled down and the red flag dis
played and q heavy fire of musketry opened