Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-01


sank within u.s.
There is no feeling so agonzing as suspense.
As watched the candle, my anxiety grad
ualy be came so intense that could hear the
pulsatons of my heart increasing in rapidity
and strength until they smote on my ear like
the strokes of force pump. Soon, too,
sounds reached me-they were those of the
quick rolicking of oars at a distance. started
aching barge, determined to know the worst
at once. counted no less than thirty rufianly
looking negroes besides several white men, as
/ thought in the boat, and in the cannoes be-
hind
Our own force, all told amounted to only
ten. Sick at soul, shut the glass and turned
to the candle. Ifanced that it fared slightly.
Wetting my hand held it up and felt, yes
felt the water evaporating on the palm. |
turned to the light. 1t now bent steadily
over, and finally streamed out at right angles
to the wick, when it suddenlywent out At
the same instant l heard slight murmur
in the rigging.
"All hands make sail, said here comes
the breeze. Cheeriy my lads. 1t is for life
or death
The men sprang to the sails, and the glad
sound Of the water ripping under our bows
soon met our ears, telling US that we were in
motion. With sudden feeling of eXhilara-
tion tnrned astern, and it seemed as if we
had already increased our distance from the
foe. Unconsciously uttered an exclamation
of joy At this instant heard deep respira
ton at my side The sound proceeded from
Isabel, who, attracted by my words, had read
hope in my face, and thus given utterance to
her relief
do you think we shall escape ?" she said,
eagerly.
Il hope so-indeed | am sure we shall y
| added, willing to say almost more than
believed. If the wind treshens we shall soon
run them out of sight"
Her answering look gave me courage to
face legion of foes. | felt that | could
lay down thousand lives sooner than suf
fer her to fall into the hands of our pur-
suers.
The next fifteen minutes was passed in
state of the most agonizing suspense. At
first, we fancied that the savages were drop
ing astern, and general feeling of relief pass
ed through the ship But when watched the
| barge for several minutes, my heart msgave
me, and at most could only hope that the
ruflians did not gain Oh US. Anxious to con-
ceal my fears, | assumed cheerfulness | did
| not feel and endeayored to divert the minds of
! Isabel and her father from the contemplation
of their dangerous situation.
Al last the breeze almost died out For
the first time the sayages uttered wild YELL
or rather howl like that of famished wolves at
the sight of their prey. Isabel gave stitied
shrek, and buried her face on her fathers bo-
som. Words caunot describe the agony eX-
pressed in the parents look, or in the wild en-
brace with which he drew his child to his
breast
The mate glanced at the now rapidly ap-
preaching boat, and coming close to me, said
in hoarSe voice
"In ten minutes all will be over" We look
ed earnestly towards Isabel. "To think of
that lovely girl in the hands of brutal outlaws
or savage negroes"
Better death than dishonor," | responded,
understanding his meaning No other word
was said, but we pressed each others hands
convulsively.
Weapons were soon distributed, and | made
q short address to the men. did not pre-
tend to conceal our danger. | told them they
had no alternative but to conquer or die
No aIlus;on was made to Isabel but single
glance of my eve towards her was understood,
and each man grasped his cutlas tighter as he
comprehended the silent appeal. When my
voice ceased there was a hush for second
The first sound that broke the quiet was the
rolicking of the pirates oars, striking with
fearful distinctness on our ears, and telling by
its increased louduess, how rapidly the foe
gained GU us.
Meantime the fog bank had been creeping
down towards u.s. and the mist had now grown
so thick that, to the west, it shut out the
! horizon completely from sight, though the
stars were still visible higher up towards the
zenith Nearer us the vapor was less dense,
objects being still visible for some distance
across the water. About dozen whites were
in the barge the rest were negroes.
A carronade, at my orders, had been charg-
,, ed, and was now fired at the approaching ieet.
1t missed the launch but striking among the
canoes behind, sank one. A wild howl OF rage
burst from the ruflians, and the barge swept
down towards US with redoubled velocity.
al think | can pick off one of those rutfians,"
said | to the mate. :" We may disable three
or four before they can reach u.s. and every
life will increase our chances You are good
shot ?"
"Ah," said he, az will count for one if you
will for the other. Let US take the two lead
ing oarsmen at once, for the instant they
touch us, we shall have them pouring in, on
our low decks, like a wave over the knight
heads"
Are you ready !"
"Ready I" was the response ; and we fired.
simultaneously with the fash of my piece.
| saw the bow oarsman fall. The mate had
followed my example, aud the second rufHan
Ieaped up, 9ith yell, and tumbled across the
seat. Both oars caught in the water, and
were snapped off at the thwart. For an In
slant the pirates seemed paralyzed, but they
Immediately rallied. 4