Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-09-20
THE LAST BULLET,


| EXPERIENCE.
Tie United States ship of war Constellation
was anchored in the haTboF of Algiers, width.
er she had proceeded under command Of COM
| modore Preble, having on board among other
officers, Charles Stewart, then an acting Lieu.
tenant.
1t was the watch of young Stewart, and he
was pacing to and fro on the deck about hlf
am hour after sun set, when he saw u small boat
containing single person, coming oil from the
Old Port, as the western part of The town il cal.
led Iand heading directly for the shir,
This person was rowing with all his might,
and Stewart was not long in discovering the
cause. Close behind the single boatman was
seen a large rover filed with men, whose pres
ence was announced by continued firing at
him whom they were in such determined pur-
suit holding on their way untilthey were under
the very guns of the ship.
''Now by my soul!" cried Stewart, "may /
be shot If don't teach those hllows lesson.
Stand by, Mr. Rogers" he added addressing
favorite gunner 10 throw few grape into that
fellow"
An instant later wreath OF smoke curlcd up
from the side of the ship, and as the report boom.
ing over the water the iron messenger sped ON
its way, crushing into the pursuing boat, Sc.
verely wounding tw or three her crew. She
instantly turned to put hack, at tho same time
that the fugitive reached his destination ana
came up the side into the presence of the of
Gcor of the deck. lie was an elderly man, with
n stout frame and bTownish features, but it re-
quired but a single glance fr,m the lieutenant
tn see that he was an Eng lishman or an Amer
lean A soon M he was sufficiently recovered
from his over e4ertion to breathe II went on TO
tell his story, to which Stewart listened with
much excitement
| wna IN ali TO-
named James Collins, native of New York,
who with his wie and daughter had been
taken from an American vessel at the same tune
as its commander and crew, two cars before
by an Algerne pirate. His wife had since
died, and hp hnd his daughter had heen endur
ing since his capture all the horrors Of hope.
less and aggravated csptivityi but the worst
part Of the poor mans story, and that which
moved Lieut. Stewart most, was the announce
mcpt that his daughter gentle aud beautiful
girl was on tho eve of being forced into deies
table union with the very wretch who had
bought her and her father as slaves.
"My agony ut these circumstances culmina~
, ted not two hours ago. continued the father,
''when i rucl the prosecutor nsensibe 10 my
feet aud led. by dlnt Of eXertion managed
to reach the water side, and embarked before
the pursuors could prevent it, But, though ]
have succeeded to reach this place OF safety, my
| /,
exposed TO his vengence; AID AIN almost crazy
! at thinking that she may even now be INFECTED
to d Cpie worse than death If | c c,uhl only
: Nude boat 3 crew, under your orders"
zone moment" interrupted Stewart "Stay
7 where you are until haye seen Commodore
} PrebIg"
{ One moment the young lieutenant was on
gagged with his commander in the cabin, aud
then he came forth with stern smile OF salts
faction on his features. Ten minutes more had
no, uassed before cutter with twelve chosen
49, NJ, he'd of in the darkness, with the lieu
,a,anf and th stranger in the stern, and rapidly
'',"|m "0nr owner" saio Mr.. Collins, "rcsides in
tbo ~nstern u5rt of the en-. There is a coast
0uard established, but | do nnS apPrrhrnd That
we ehal have any special honD'e nom
that source ! think we canland below go up
the streets TO the house, aud carry of my dh!ld'
and all, without losing single man."
The boat landed aitertwenty minutes otrapid
progress at a small wharf near the Geleta, IN
the western part OF the town The arrival was
certainly obseFYed, but notify the stupid Algrr.
ines. Leaving part Of his men IN the cutter,
with orders Tor them to lic down under the
| wharf, Lieut. Stewart and the ,.'AIhutr OF ms
force followed the footsteps Of Mr.. Collin"' VINO
led the way rapidly up the intervening streets
1
looking stTnCture, extremely spacious, having
all the loOseness ofthe Moorshlt ltylc, the party
discovered that silence and darkness were the
principal features of the scene Not sound
! was heard nor "A word uttered. The whole
buiIdiug seemed deserted The agony of the
father was extreme.
80, my child my chIl!" he cried, no longer
able % control the terrible emotions which had
been surgng through his soul during the last
. hour "shall never see thee morel"
A Moorish slave came around from the rear
Of the building, and assured. his fellow captive
that tho girl had been canitd of by the master
and no one was at home save himself But even
as the lying rascal uttered the concluding words,
a 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 eins spotless
! white. ....
my child! my Alicol" exclaimed Mr. Col
Inns.
"sayo me, fathorlo was tho response. and
while shouts aud CELLS were heard from the
3 interior oil tue building, The maiden threw her
self from the low windoW, falling into the very
arms of her father and Lieut. Stewart.
The very moment of tins reunion was destin
= ed TO be that in which company Of Algerin,
p troops came round the nearest corner, march
ing up the street in the direction Of Lieut. Stew
2 art and his-men. Il was also the same mom,n
( that the old Moor who considered himself ih,
, proprietor Of Mr.. collins and his daughter, cam'
. TO the window and set up startling yell.
. This way!" cried Mr.. Collins, aud be dash
. ed open the front door Of the building, aud con
ducted the entire party within, "lOOk 70 you
:. weapon, and take the rsscas off their pin
/ the Instant they halt" said stewart.
p A sharp and determined struggle soon com
Il menced, ia the course Of which half the Moor
d ish soldiers was killed, and the remainder &
J. nally gave way. But the rescuers had expende
all their ammunition, and only single bullc