The Nevada Democrat., 1859-05-11
Drowning OF SIX Hundred Slaves.

Drowning OF Six Hundred slaves.
In the year of 1s40, there was lowering, on
the African coast, large clipper-brig called
the Brilliante, commanded by . desperate
named Homans. Homans was an Englisbman
by birth, and was known along the whole coast
and in Cuba as the most successful SLAYER of
his day. The brig was owned by two men re-
siding in Havana, one an Englishman, the 9th
er Spaniard. She was built to carry 900 me-
groes, and In her, Homans had made ten sue
cessful voyages, actually landing in Cuba 5000
negroes. The brig carried 10 guns had thirty
sweeps and crew of sixty Spaniards the most
OF them old pirates, and as desperate as
their commander. An English brig-of-war,
which had attacked her, was 80 cut up in hull
and rigging that she was abandoned aud soon
sunk {; an English sloop-of-war attempted to
carry the Brilliante with boats, which were
beaten off with great slaughter. Now ii was
known that Homans was again on the coast,
and it was resolved to make another attempt
to take him, with the evidence of bis guilt on
board. The arrangements for this purpose
were made. He was allowed to take in his
cargo of negroes and set sail.
The Brilante had not lost sight of the coast
when the quickened eye of her commander dis
covered that he was entrapped. Four cruisers,
three of them English and one American, had
been lying In wait for him, and escape was
hopeless. In running away from one he would
come within reach of another. Night was COM
ing on, and Homans was silently regarding his
pursuers, when suddenly the huge sail of the
brig tapped idly-the wind died away, and the
SLAYER was motionless on the waters.
"This will not do" Homans muttered, knock
ing the ashes from his cigar-"their boats will
be down upon me before am ready for the
visit" and as he said this his stern face lit up
with smile, the expression of which was dia-
bolical. 1t was evident enough that he medi-
tated some desperate plan.
dozen sweeps were got out, and the vessel
moved slowly through the water. Meantime,
the darkness having deepened, Homans pro-
ceeded to carry out his designs.
The cable attached to the heaviest anchor
was taken outside the hawse hole, and carried
around the rail of the brig, extending from the
bow aft. round the stern, and then forward on
the other side. The batches were then taken
of, aud the negroes passed up, each securely
fastened by the wrists. As the miserable
wretcbes came up from the hot hole into the
fresh air, they expressed by their looks of graf
itude which would have softened the heart of
any but the iend in whose power they were
Without word they were led to the side, and
made to bend over the rail- outside of which
wrists were fastened by smaller chains to the
links of the cable. 1t was slow work, but at
the end of four hours, six hundred Africans,
male and female were bending over the rail of
the brig, in painful position, holding by their |
chained hands the huge. cable, which was attach.
ed to heavy aochor, suspended by single |
sling from the bow.
Homans himself examined the fastenugs. to |
see that every negro was strongly bound to the
chain. This done, he ordered the pen work of |
the hold to be broke up. bound up In mating,
yell loaded with shot, and thrown overheard.
Fhe work was finished an hour before day.
Freak, and;now the only witnesses of Homan's |
guilt were attached to that fatal chain. Ho-
mans turned to the mate, and with smile full |
If meaning, said in Spanish
"Harro, take the axe and go forward. The |
Wind will come off to us soon. Listen to the |
Vord, and when you hear it, cut the sling; "the
nan went forward, aud Homans turned. and in |
1ain endeavored to penetrate the darkness. II
ion't want to loose the niggers," he said, speak
ng aloud. .'and yet dare not wait until day
light. wish knew where the hounds were.p |
At that instant the report of gun reached
his ear, then another. and another. and another
a different directions. The cruisers were firing
ignals.
'Thats enough" exclaimed Romans, Il
Enow where you are "Harro, are you ready
rhe wind will reach us soon."
"Ay, ay, sir" was the response.
In few minutes the sails began to Gil. and
he vessel moved slowly through the water.
"How much water do you suppose we have
lere 'asked Homans. turning to the man at
he wheel.
"Fifty fathoms at least" was the reply.
''That will do" the SLAYER muttered. and he
walked forward and examined the '.chain-
gang" as he brutally termed his diabolical in
rention.
The negroes sent up piteOus groans. For
many hours they had been bent over in
this unnatural position, by which they were suf-
fering the keenest torture.
The breeze strengthened, and the Briliante
dashed like racer over the deep. Homans
hailed from the quarterback, while his men col.
ected In groups, Witnessed unmoved the con-
Of the plan.
care you ready, Harro ~
"Ay, ay, SIR"
Homans looked around, and out into the
darkness, which was fast giving way to the
morn, then he thundered out
"Strike."
There was the sound of single blow. heavy
plunge, and as the cable fell off the side. a
rash, above which rose one terrible shriek-it
vas the last cry of the murdered Africans. One
more, and all was still. Six hundred
human beings had gone down with that anchor
and chain into the depth of the ocean.
Two hours after daybreak, the Briliante was
,verhauled, there was no evidence that she was
SLAYER, and her captors were obliged to let
Ter pass The Instructions to cruisers at that
ime did not allow vessel to be captured un-
egroes we're found on board.