Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
MISCELL A N Y .
The Last Bullet.-.-An Incident OF Commo.
dore Stewards Algerine Experience.

dore Stewards Algerine Experience.
The United States ship of war, Constellation,
was anchored in the harbor of Algiers, whittier
she had proceeded under command OF Oomm0-
dore Pr reble, having on board, among other offl-
GERS. Charles Stewart, then an Acting Lieuten-
ant. 1t was the watch OF young Stewart, aud he
was pacing TO and fro on the deck, about halt an
honr after sunset, when he saw small boat
containing single person coming OF from the
Old Port, as the western part OF the town is
called, and beading directly for the ship.
This person was rowing with all his might
aud Stewart WAS not long in discovering the
ause. Close behind the single boatman wa:
seen large rover filled with men, whose pres
snce was announced by continual firing al
aim OF whom they were in such determined pur
,uit holding on their way until they were under
the very guns OF the ship.
Now, by my soul !" cried Stewart. "may
ne shot if dou't reach those fellows a lesson.-
S,and by, MIR. Rogers" lie added, addressing d
avorlte gunner, ITO throw little grape into
nat fellow"
AN instant later wreath of smoke curled NJ
rom the side of The ship, aud as the report went
booming over the wafer the iron messenger spec
IN It's way, crashing into the pursuing boat, Sc
s.rely wOuudiDg two or three of her crew. Shit
instantly turned TO put back, at the same time
hat the fugitive reached his destination anc
came up the side into the presence Of the Officer
If the deck.
He was al elderly man, with stout frame
and brownish features; but it required but 6
single glance from the lieutenant to to see tha
20 was English or American. AS soon as ht
was sufficiently recovered from his over exertloI
10 breath, he went on to tell his Story, to which
Stewart listened with much excitement.
The new conner was an American citizen
named James Collins, native OF New York
who, with his wife and daughters, had been ta
ken from an American vessel at the the same
time as its commander and crew two years be
fore by an Algsrine pirate. His wife had since
died, and he and his daughter bad been endu
ring since his capture all the horrors OF q hope
less and aggravated captivity but the worst par
of the poor mans story, and that which moVe(
| Lieut.. Stewart the most, was the announcement
that his daughter, gentle and beautiful grl
was on the very eve of being forced into de-
testable union with the very wretch who hat
bought her and her father as slaves.
| My agony at these circumstances culminatet
not two TWO hours ago." finished the father
"when | struck the prosecutor insensble to m.
| teet and fled. BY dint of exertion | managed t
| reach the water side, and embarked before tn
pursuers could prevent it, But, though hav
succeeded in reaching this place of safety, IN.
poor Alice is still in the power OF her tormento
exposed to his vengeance, and am almost era
zy at thinking that she even may now be SUB
/ iectedto fate worse than death. Ii could on
lly guide boats crew, under your orders
some moment" interrupted Stewart. "Sta.
where you are until have seen Commodore
Preble."
One moment the young lieutenant was engag
ed with his commander in the cabin, and theI
| he came forth with stern smile of satisfaction
puon his features. Ten minutes more hat
not passed before cutter with twelve choseI
men pushed off in the darkness, with the lieu
tenant and the stranger in the stern, and RAPID
y struck out for the shore
sour owner" SAID Mr.. Collins, ''resides in the
western part of the city. THERE'S coast guare
established, but | do not apprehend that We
shall have any especial trouble from that source
think we can laud below, go up the streets t.
the house, and carry off my child, and all with
out losing q man.
The boat landed after twenty minutes OF rap
id progress, at small wharf near the Geleta, IL
the western part of the town. The arrival was
certainly observed, but not great deal Of atten.
JiOu WoS oSSto"Su UPOh ~ ~ WV 'Nf'N - O.
lines. Leaving part OF his men IN the cutter,
with orders tur them TO lie under the wharf,
Lieut.. Stewart and tue remainder OF his force
followed the footsteps of Mr.. Collins, who led
he way rapidly up the intervening streets.
On arriving at his late prison, an old, dingy
looking structure, extremely spacious, having all
the luoseuess of the Moorish style, the party dis
covered thar silence and darkness were the prin'
cpa features of the scene. Not sound was
neard nor word uttered The whole building
seemed deserted. The agony of the father was
extreme.
10, my child!", he cried, no longer able to
control the terrible emotions which had been
,urging through his soul during the last hour,
''shall never see thee mOre2"
A Moorish slave came around from the rear
of the building, and assured his fellow captive
that the girl had been carried off by the master,
and that no one was at home save himself. But
even as the lying rascal uttered the concluding
words wild shrek was heard in the chamber,
and the next moment young and beautiful girl
of seventeen summers appeared at one of the
front windows, looking like spectre in her
garments of spotless white.
"My child, my Alice!" exclaimed Mr.. Collins.
"Save Inc, fatherl" was the response; and
while shouts and groans were heard proceeding
from the interior of the building the maiden