Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-09-16


he shifted the position of the gun, as re-
quired, in the other.
The schooner's boat approached, and
was pulling rapidly to get alongside.
"Now, sir, keep steady and obey or
ders coolly," said the captain in an un-
der tone. "Boy fetch the iron that's
heating in the galley-quick."
The boy ran, and returned with an iron
rod heated at one end, which he handed
to me.
When tell you to fire, fire, as you
value your life and those on board"
The captain now put his speaking
trumpet to his mouth and hailed the boat,
which was within hundred yards of US.
"Stop, no nearer, or we'll blow you
out of the water-keep off, or, say,
Pill"
At that instant the man at the bows oi
the boat, who appeared to take the COM
mand, gave an order, and volley from
several muskets was fred at US. / heard
the balls hit about me, and turned to
look for the captain to receive my order
to fire. He was oD one knee behind the
cannon holding it by the breach.
"Why, captain, what's the matter are
you hit?"
He rallied Nothing, they're COM
ing"
He gave another hoist 10 the gun, cast
his eye hurriedly along the barrel-".tfre
and be quick y
Ineeded not second bidding for the
boat was alongside. The smoke burst
from tie touch-hole with hiss, and for a
moment thought the gun had missed
fire, but in the next it exploded with 9
tremendous report that deafened me.
Throw open your ports, boys, and
show them your teeth" roared the cap
tain through his trumpet, and his voice
sounded hideously unnatural.
In an instant every port was up, ant
our puns protruded their muzzles. fan
cied l heard crash, followed by wilt
screams, Immediately upon the discharg,
of the cannon; but the report had deaf
ened me, and the smoke which was drlv
en- back in my face, had so shrouded m
that could not see; and the unearthl,
shout of the captain had also for the mo
ment driven the idea from my mind.
grasped my gun to repel boarders Bu
my hearing had not deceived me; for, a
the smoke was borne away to leewarC
the whole scene of destruction burst vi
on my sight. The cannon had been mo,
, truly pointed, and its contents had shi,
cred the hapless boat, killing or wound
ing almost every person in her. Th
longest lifetime will hardly efface tn
scene from my mind. The stern of th
n boat was carried completely away, an
y it was sinking by the weight of huma
d beings that clung to it. As it gradual
e disappeared, h e miserable wretcht
ot struggled forward TO the bows, and wit
a horrid screams and imprecations, battle
le for moment for what little support
n might yield. The dead and dying wei
floating and splashing around ther
W while the deep tinge marked how fat
had been that discharge. Ropes we
ID thrown over and everything done to sa'
1t, those that were not destroyed by Il
n cannon shot, but only three out of Il
&c boats crew of twenty-four were savet
he the greater part went down with 4
boat to which they clung.
M The whole scene of destruction Z
a not last ten minutes, and all was aga
quiet. The bodies of those who b
lis been shot did not sink, but were driv
ke by the wind and sea against the side
all the ship. From some the blood "
Us, gently oozipg, and floating around thel
aw others, stiff in the convulsion in viii
they had died, were grinning or frov
cd ing with horrible expression. One be
ne strong and muscular, with neat VIII
tn trowsers, and leathern girdle in VIII
uf were stuck two pistols, foated by, but
'ur face was gone; some merciless ball
so disfigured him, that all traces of
ck- man expression was destroyed. He Y
1ur the pirate captain.
But where was the schooner! {
MS lay for few minutes after the desiruci
out of the boat, and whether alarmed at
appearance, or horrifed at the loss OF
sct- many of her men, | know not, but
'de' slipped her foresail and stood away
lat close to the wind as possible. We
leo. no more of her.
OF The excitement Of the scene we
va just passed through, prevented our n
red ing the captain; bat as soon as the sch'
The er bore away, all naturally expected