The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-04-14

and respect Of his crew, and never was a captain more
eneerfully obeyed and trusted than was Roland Arvey
of the privateer schooner Amelia He was q man OF
about thirty eight years of age, tall and stout IN appear
ance, With clear olive complexion, black hair, which
hung in heavy curls around his manly shoulders, deep
brown eyes, over which hung a pair of brows, dark and
lowering, thus forcing his eyes as it were inwards, max
ing them appear more penetrating and fierce, than the
features Of the Roman type. He was attired in a heavy
jacket of blue pilot cloth, white pantaloons, close fitting
sea shirt, slippers or shoes, and a bear skin cap. Tie
carried under his arm that quarterback companion the
glass. a.,
The brave crew of the p~rivateer were commanded by
officers, who had earned for themselves a wide spread
reputation for trust. worthiness and nautical experience.
In short, never did a better craft sal. with a better crew
Of officers and men, than did the privateering schooner
sAmelia.'
Captain Arvey now walked the quarter deck with
rapid strides as be scanned the lowering clouds which
came up from the north, in dark and mountainous
columns while the last ray of the already setting sun
glimmered for an instant on the now foam crested waves.
The breeze blew fresh and strong, and the creaking Of
the yards gave warning Of an approaching storm.
1t was now eight bells, and ~dolefulIy sounded the
gong as it struck the hour, ~mingling its sounds with
the rising gale. The sky was now black and murky--
gloomy and cherries. The dark overhanging clouds
spread like a funeral pail, and covered the heavens with
the blackness of night, while every now and then the
low murmuring of thunder would be heard overhead,
and a fash Of lightning would for an instant part the
clouds with a streak of fire, and then relapse into its
former darkness. The waves now feeling the influence
Of the rising hurricane, were dashed wildly to and fro,
white with foam, and With terrific fury beat the. sides
and bulwarks Of the laboring schooner, as she plunged
madly on through the rising tbillows.4 The storm was
now up and furiousiy it burst upon them. The waves
rose mountains high, and with an awful crash burst over
The bulwarks, sweeping the deck with sheets Of silvery
spray. Crash after crash came the maddening surges
| -1Dna limo was their furv az thew roSo their fOa m crest.
ed heads over the little craft as if to mock at its frail.
ness while struggling against their fury. The sky grew,
as it were, blacker still, the rain came down in drench.
ing torrents, while at intervals, the artillery of heaven
pealed forth its deafening thunder, the lightning flashed
forth its Kissing and terrific fire %illuminiug the dark
vault above, revealing terrors before unseen, while the
rushing Of the boisterous hurricane, and deep roa: Of
the ocean, formed a scene Of terrible and awful gran.
deur.
In the midst of this storm and strife of the elements,
Captain Arvey rose like a hero. His voice was heard
through the storm as it rang out above the tumult. In
tones of incredible strength he shouted his commands,
as he stood there on the quarter deck, and in answer to
bis orders was invariably heard the cheerful and hearty
response, 'Ay, ay, SIR
Through that long and dismal night did that brave
crew work and toll, but not till the dawn did there ap.
pear the least sign of abating of the storm. At length
the morning came and with it the appearance of a calm.
The thunder ceased, the lightning died away in the dis.
co0C ~ VIC II CCooC 9 luIJS GuS OjIIOWS IU~0
and dashed each other, but their strength was we'll nigh
exhausted, and the rain gradually abated its showers
and now fell in soft liquid drops over the deck.
The clouds rolled back their dark columns, from be.
fore the morning sky and gradually retreated bef"re the
now quickly opening dawn, and the noble vessel, as if
exhausted by incessant struggling with the late storm,
now rose and fell With the languid motion of the waves.
In two mo'e hours all traces Of the hurricane had dis.
appeared, and the sun l" se in magnificent glory in the
horizon Of the far east, tinging the waters with a 6ood
Of golden red.
The Captain still walked the quarterback in fact
he had not left it the whole of that night, and by his
thoughtful countenance, as he paced TO and fro looking
down towards his feet, he evidently labored under some
secret cause FIR melancholy
At eight bells Mr.. Morton, joined him on the quar-.
ter-deck. Mr.. Morton, or Frank Morton as he was
called BY his shipmates and friends on shore, was a ma.
tive of Paterson, in New Jersey, and had from bis child.
hood been passionately fond Of the ocean lie was now
twenty-five years old, and had sailed with Captain Ar
vy over two years, and by bis generous hearted, noble
and brave disposition, he won not only the confidence
and respect Of bis Captain, who in hours of relaxation
would converse freely with him, but also the love and
confidence Of the crew to whom he was an especial
f~avorite. As soon as Arvey saw him, he extended his
hand, with a smile, and in conversation they walked the
deck together. Jre Is bs-sa~
I'VE have seen nothing Of the brig yet, Captain, and
this is now our tenth day out in search of her. We
surely cannot have got on the wrong track-what think
you 3 inquired Frank after the usual morning greet
ings had passed between them -
well, Morton, I'm Of the opinion, that if this breeze
holds out steady for a couple hours longer that We shall
ere that time expires see the brig answered Arvey.
Then, Ms. Arvey, We may expect a chance to avenge
the late outrage on the ship sGAUNTLEr,' and our un-
fortunate brethren who fell in her defence, or we're car
ried away prisoners in that same brig VEL after. Fury
| burn With i~mnpatiepce to grapple with the blood thirsty
Rritisher!'
Your impatience will be appeased ere long if | mis-.
take not, and SO will mine, for | q have prior claim OF
vengeance, to return that cowardly Captain, to yours,
my friend. The victims Of his treacheyy were my
father and brother, who we're Captain and mate OF the
ship 'GAvNrLET,' a merchantmen which by chance
came across this brig. You know the result the YES
sci was attacked which scarcely contained sufficient
hands to protect her, and yet NY father against the odds,
resolved ia die in its defence, and nobly be did SO.
They were boarded, a few of the crew who yet remain
ed after that conflict, were bound in chains and carried
to bondage, the sh p, the iil,fa.ed Gauntlet was fred,
and the dead and bleeding bodies of my father, my
young brother, and those brave men who fell with them
in defence OF that craft. were left to be consumed on
the scene Of their death-the decS .aat bone them !!
This, Mr.. Morton, ia .he siimalant. that fires my heart
for revenge, and with this object in view, l procured
permission from my commissioners to make chase afte'
this Britisher. We are on her track, and soon l trust