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


the jaws Of the yeasty cataract Of foam No others
would have dared it See that our guns are dry.
We shall need them. Only keep at long shot until We
gain the beach, and land and let them do what
they please with our shattered canoe ss.s sr.1
After zig tagging some time between the banks, We
describing the chord Of Of breakers, which
connected with those we had crossed, curved our
right in the shape Of horseshoe, to the Bay Point
beach Our chance Of escape frightened only single
enemy was in wake one Of the keel boats We had
safely fenced out by putting the breakers between
and the other had dsappeared-wrecked as We after
wards learned, Paris's bank, in the squal s.s
Our boatmen were the choice Of three plantations
and instead of tagging under their late arduous Efforts
warmed and nvigorated by the exercise and excite
ment and fresh when the pursuit began bore them.
selves bravey and Justify Their spirits depressed at
the first alarm, soon rebounded and frequently during
the chase, throwing their right arms sauciy into the
air they bent forward to give the their full
sweep, they halfwhooped and jeercd at the enemy.
But the pursuing boat pressed harder than ever
sending shot after shot, while her gliding prov
flashed beautifully fierce, and her level lines Of oars,
like the wings Of kng6sher dipped and rose, and dip
ped again, with seeming and elasticity that was
provoking We the first, however, to reach and
shoot through the shallow channel between the shoal
and the beach. 1t so narrow, that the spray of
the breakers the right hand and Of the surf along
shore, the other, mingled above our heads as we
passed but mauled Dev6sh was, we thought moth
ing Of this lesser peril after our late escape. d,
Now, stop rowing AS they come through we'll
give them point blank salute of buckshot and land
through the surf. See to your aints and prming
Sam drew from its concealment his long musket,
which he had wrapped in his geatcoat and tied up in
the sail which had not been in use. -.
Mr.. Wlck, asked Maurice, shall I shoot at the
oarsn1en p ~' -zs~~ael- - -
NO not at them. You, and William, and Sam,
aim into the crowd astern. James and will pay our
respects to the three red coats in her bows Wait for
the word But see there-see the beach ! and our
whole crew shouted hearty cheer, three white
and many negroes rushed down the sands from along
the dead pines at high water mark, and wadng waist
deep fred into the British boat while she was aborng
midway in the straight behind Us. .-9 -
1t is Hilton and Trunkard Nobly done 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 well,
boys and FIRE !-and we gave the hostile boat half the
benefit Of our double barrels, Sam winding up the vol
ley with haistorm 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
sort of galvanc shock in my right side that drove
me, reeing, against the main thwart, with q goodly
trench along my RIBS but they were too much disoon-
certed by the unexpected assault from the land to 70.
turn FIRE with much effect. To increase their en-
barrassment, their four black oarsmen swearing they
could stan dis longer eaped overheard, and swan
for the land and the utmost labor and skl Of the
sailors remaining, could hardly keep their boat from
being swamped in the surf. - .-Y37 ~.5ta h !.
They put back, and were retreating when they re-
ceved second fire. and before the party on shore
could reload their pieces they out Of the reach Of
our shot, and rowing with the tide, towards Broad
River. 49, n. -. ,,a... a. =, q,