Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-10-26
From the National Intelligencer.
THE LAST BULLET

THE LAST BULLET.
An Incident of Commodore Sterarfs
Atgerine Experience. United States
shlp-of-war Constellation was anchored in
the harbor of Algiers, whittier she had pro
ceeded under command of Commodore Pre-
bic, having on board. among other officers.
Charles Stewart, then an Acting Lieutenant
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 a
small boat, containing a single person.
coming off from the Old Point, as the wes-
tern part of the town is called, and heading
directly for the ship.
1hls person was rowing with all his
might, and Stewart was not long in discov-
fering the cause. Close behind the single
ooatman was seen large rover filed with
lhen whose presence was announced by a
continual firing at him of whom tLev xaro
in such determined pursuit, holding on their
way until they were under the very guns
of the ship.
Now, by my soul cried Stewart, may
be shot if | don't teach these fellows a
lesson. Stand by Mr. Rogers he added,
addressing favori.e gunner, to throw
little grape into that fellow
Anlnstant later wreath of smoke curlec
up from the side of the ship, and as the re-
port went booming over the water, the iron
messenger sped on its way, crashing into
the pursuing boat, severely wounding two
or three of her crew. She instantly turned
to put back, at the same time that the fu-
gitiye reached his destination and came up
the side into the presence of the officer of
the deck.
He was an elderly man, with stout
frame and brownish features; but it re-
quired but single glance from the lieuten-
ant to see that he was English or American.
AS soon as he was sufficiently recovered
from his over-exertion TO breathe he went
on to tell his story, to which Stewart lis
tened with much excitement.
The new conner was an American citi-
zen, named James Collins native of New
1ork, who, with his wife and daughter, had
been taken from an American vessel at the
same time as its commander and crew two
years before by an Algerine pirate. His
wife had since died, and he and his daugh-
ter bad been enduring since his capture all
the horrors of hopeless and aggravated
captivity; but the worst part of the poor
mans story, and that which moved Lieut.
Stewart the most, was the announcement
that his daughter, a gentle and beautiful
girl, was on the very eve of being forced
into detestable union with the very
wretch who had bought her and her father
as slaves.
MY agony at these circumstances cplm;-
mated not two hours ago. finished the faith
er, when struck the prosecutor iDsensibla
to my feet and fed. BY dint of exertion
l managed to reach the water side. and en-
barked before the pursuers could prevent
1t. But, though | have succeeded in reach
ing this place of safety, my poor Alice is
still IN the power of her tormentor. exnosod
'S 10 his vengeance, and L am almost crazy at
thlhklng that she even now may be subiec-
ted to fate worse than death. If eonlJ
only guide boats crew, under your or
ders-'
Onc moment interrupted Stewart
| Stay where you are until | have seen Com.
modore Preble.'
One moment the young lieutenant was
engaged with his commander in the cabin
and then he came forth with stern sm;le
OF satisfaction on his features. Ten minutes
more had not passed before a cutter with
Twelve chosen men pushed off in the dark |
ness, with the lieutenant and the stranger
IN the stern, and rapidly struck out for the
the western part OF
coast Guard established, but do not ap'
nrehend that we shall have any especial
trouble from that source. think we can
land below, 90 up the streets to the house,
} and carry off my child, and all ~l'hOus
! losing man.
: The boat landed, after twenty minutes
Of rapid progress, at small wharf near the
e Geleta. in the western part of the town.
n The arrival was certainly observed, but mo-
i a GREAT deal of attention was bestowed upor
d It by the stupid Algerines. Leaving par
1t Of his men in the cutter, with orders TO
d them to lie down under the wharf, Lieu,
ID Stewart and the remainder OF his men 10
,e lowed the footsteps of Mr.. Collins, who lie
ne the way rapidly up the Intervening street
= On arriving at his late prison, an oil
MT dingy looking structure, extremely spaclou
to having all the looseness of the Moor:
ldy style, the party discovered that silence a,
ch darkness were the principal features OF Il
iu- scene. Net sound was heard nor wo
,ok uttered. The whole building seemed
,ok serted. The agony of the father was
an, treme.
the %, my child my childv he cried,
ress longer able to control the terrible emotl'
wa which had been surging through his $
ers during the last hour, shall ! never see 7
our more?
inu- A Moorish slave came round from
AXE rear of the building, and assured his TEL
sded captive that the girl had been carried
ence by the master, and that no one was at d
try save himself. But even as the lying ra
leyo- uttered the concluding words wild SD
iber- was heard in the chamber, and the
Or in moment young and beautiful girl OF
eva enteen summers appeared at one OF
), the front windows, looking like q spectr'
II the her garments of spotless white,
erpe- MY child, my Allce! e1ciailheu
han Collins.
moth Save me, fatherp was the respse
rhen and while shouts and groans were !
i gov proceeding from the interior OF the
pros mo the maiden threw herself from th
nrin- n;ndov falling into the very arms o.