The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-08-17
sfIett misfflIanp
TaE LAST BULLET.
AN INCIDENT OF COMMODORE STEWARDS AL
GERINE EXPERIENCE.

| The United States ship of-war, Constellation
was anchored in the harbor of Algiers, whith.
er she had proceeded under command of Com.
modore Preble, having on board among other
officers, Charles Stewart, then acting lieuten-
ant, and the man the old Commo ore looked
to for assistance in fighting the Algerines.
1t was the watch of young Stewart, and he
was pacing to and fro on the deck, about half
an hour after sunset, when he saw small boat,
containing single person, coming off from
The Old Port, as the western part of the town
is called, and heading directly for the ship.
This person was rowing with all his might,
and Stewart was not long in discovering the
cause. Close behind the single boatman was
| seen alarge SalIee rover, filed withnsen. whose
kpreseDce was announced by a continual firing
at him of whom they were in such detertnined
pursuit holding ON their way until they were
under the guns of the ship.
"Now, by my SOUL y cried Stewart, Amay I be
shot if do not teach those fellows lesson.
Stand by, Mr.. Rodgers" he added, addressing
favorite gunner, 'Sto throw little grape into
that fellow"
An instant later, wreath of smoke curled
up from the shore side os the vessel, and as abe
report went booming over the water, the iron
messenger sped lis way, crashing into the pur-
suing boat, severely weunding two or three eff
her crew. She ;nstantly turned to 90 back at
the same time that, the fugitive reached his des-
tination, and came up the side, into the pres
ence of the officer of the deck
He was an elderly man. with a stout frame
and brownish features; but it did notireguire
but single glance from the lieutenant to see
that he was of English or American descent
As soon as he was sufficiently recovered from
his over exertion to breathe, he went on to tell
his story to which Stewart listened with much
excitement and interest
The new scomer was an Americans citizen,
named james Collins, native of New York,
who, with his wife aud daughter, had been ta-
ken from an American vessel at thes same time
as the commander and crew, two years before,
by an Aigerine pirate. His wife had since
died. and he and his daughter had been endu-
ring, since his capture, ali the horrors of hope
less and aggravated captivity. But the worst
part of the poor mans story, and that which
moved Lieut.. Stewart the most was the an
nouncement that his daughter, a gentle and
beautiful girl, was on the very eve of being
forced into a detestable union with the very
wretch who had bought her and her father as
slaves.
"My agony at theserircunstaDces culmina-s
ted not two hours ago." finished the father,
'.when struck the prosecutor insensible at my
feet and fed. By dint of exertion, l managed
to reach the water side, and embark ed before
L
have succeeded in reaching this place of safety,
my poor Alice is still in the power of her tor
mentor, exposed to his vengeance, and / am al
most crazy at thinking that she may even now
be subjected to fate worse than death If
could guide good boats crew, under your or
ders- -e.ss rs .5xi
zone moment" interrupted Stewart. "StayI
where you are till have seen Commodore
Preble !" "a.
One moment the young lieutenant was en-
gagged with his commander in the cabin, and
then he came forth with stern smile of salts
faction on his features. Ten minutes more had
not passed ere cutter, with twelve chosen
men, pushed off into the darkness with the
lieutenant and the stranger in the stern, and
rapidly struck out for the shore.
sour owner" said Mr.. Collins, "resides in
the western part of the city. There is a coast
guard established, but do not apprehend that
we shall have any, especial trouble from that
source. think we can land below, go up the
streets to the house, and carry off my child,
and all without losing man." s2
The boat landed, after twenty minutes of
rapid progress, at a small wharf near the Ga
leta, in the western part of the town. The ar
rival was certainly witnessed, but not great
deal of attention was bestowed upon it by the |
stupid Algerines Leaving part of his men in !
the cutter, with orders for them to, lie low un-
der the wharf Lieut.. Stewart and the remain
der of his force followed the footsteps of Mr..
Collins, who led the way readily up the inter-
vening streets. &
lingy looking structure, extremely spacious,
having all the looseDess cf the Moorish style, Z
he party discovered that silence and darkness