, 1860-06-27

At the present sine, when the Japanese are
the excitement Of the day, the following strange
and romantic parratye will be read With special
interest notwithstanding the time which has
elapsed since the incidents occurred, the cir
cumstances have never been published:
Among the Sandy Hook pilots there is noue
better or more fanil*rly known thau Captain
Nelsoo. Mr.. Henry Steers. The shipbuilder. is
now building pilot boat for him, which in the
course Of mouth will he ready 10 be launched
from her Ways st the foot oi Twelfth street,
East river. 4 frank sailor rouGhness character
ICES Captain Nelson; those who know him like
him for bis honesty and ptainness Of speech,
and none ever thought Of accusing him Of be-
ing given to spinning sailor yarns.
4 Swcde by birth, at tie aye Of seventeen an
inclination 10 follow the sea possessed Captain
Nelson. Cnnble to resist, he shipped as sal
lor before the mast lie soon found, hoTe'er,
sea life not 10 romantic or pleasing rs he IN.
ticipaied. The captssu Under whom de sailed
was harsh, and knot ked him about with cruel
severity, Not relisEling this treatment, he de-
serted Ut Matukta, q amall island in the Pacific
Ocean. Soon On opportunity presented itst1f
Sautucket-on her way from the Pacific 0cenu-
A terrible storm arose; The ship was dismasted,
aad they were obliged 10 put into Jeddo for re-
pairB. This wasin 1881.
Casting of anchor, fleet Of row-boots ap-
proached the Eutaw and signaslel to her t.
move A~lt- 4sO@ ueEo4Ak kuS At!Au<etuns VIC
fleet surrounded them, each boas a.tachingit-
self 10 The other by chain. They were thus
made prisoners, with no chance Of escape. Al
ter while laree row-5oat made its appear-
ancc. The style Of the boat ind train Of uttend-
| ants, nearing the wAters edge, made it eEident
that some one endowed with unusual authority
was on board. Immediately one Of the eovi
roniug Chains was loosed. aud the large barge
| was rowed 10 the side Of the ship. 4 MAJ dress
| ed in tate. with two immense swords dangling
| from belt, mounted over tue side Of the chip,
and by signs insiuated desire TO know wha.
they wished. by means of an Interpreter, they
| explained the occasion Of their visit, and e1.
| prsssed readioess 10 depart wbeu their vessel
was put in proper repair. The Official told them
| they cuuld do nothing towards repairing their
.hlp until they had delivered two Of the crew
into his hands as bnstaaes to guaranty against
violence on thar part. The captain expressed
his assent to the proposition.
:" But you must hear another condition.; said
the efacial.
"What is it?" asked The captain.
"0u each man," r. sponded tie official, must
lie placed shirt coated with sulphur and tar
The moment you break faith Tith us, the shirts
Of each " i'll be set On fire and tic men burned
to DEATH"
THE condition wns hard Que. There was nc
other alternative, however, but to comply Witt
it. Captain Nelson, who was then only seven
teen years old. md q young man named Iurp'r
| Of Philadelphia, conses ted 10 being deaiserec
up as hostages. The otficiAl. who proved to o
The ruling magistrate Of Jeddo. had young Mel
con and lis compapion talrn on shore an5 De
liyeYed over to a guard. They were placed u
sort OF tent near the dwelling Of the mngls
ttate. thinking it best to be guarded aga'ns
emergencies, young Nelson concealed abou
| him pistol.
Weeks elapsed, aud with them The wearing o
the sulphur. coated shirt. At first the guart
WAS strict, but generally they we're kept unde
less res,raint, until finally they were allowed II
roam almost quite free during the day time
I Geaduuliy, ulsp, the magistrate lessened To
reserve towurd them. At length he invite
| them to his house, then to cat with them and t
! play the Japanese chess.
4 daughter, young, handsome and spr1ghtIy
formed part OF the household Of the Jeduo mu
xistyate. The pale sal,or youth looked admir-
,ngfy upon her, aud she rtciprocated the look
interviews followed e.impses. They soon iear1
! army WIS suitor OF the magistrates daughter
:. | her father did not approve Of the officer, IN
> she had agreed TO e1ope with hitn. He Was
= come on q certain night. 4 change had coz
over her inclinations. and she DID not wish
20, she was afraid that if she did not, her lor'
would take her fife. Young Nelson advised hi
;. 10 elore and promised 10 rescue her,
Tue night came aud the lover also. Your
Neison learning the route the officer would tax
! st1olled out Of tnwn during the day and lay
whit for him. Sure enough tue mfon1satt tFAH
r Of xteeds was beard, ami sonn--it was cic
6. moonlight uight-a ret,pne Of horses appcate
& Nelson bid behind tree. The officer Was lhe la
70 of .heszain. ehad the young girl Oh h!s ."
horse. As the horee was passing the tree Nels'
was in ambush, he discharged his pistol ut Il
horse. Immediately the horse stumbled, Al
S Nelson s1izzd the anrighted maiden. The p
X tol tiring frightened the troop Of horseme
ia and thinking u large party was lying. in 81
10 bush they fed. the officer following suit.
Taking the girl home to her father, he w
tue old gen,1etnan's gratitude, he became nc
Of 4 fayorite, aud was daily guest theue efol
ut the family table. lie was allowed to d
pense with the sulphur shirt, and was altcge'
cr a priviedged character. His companit
Turpin, had, however, TO wear the shirt to
q. last
e he The Eutaw remained at Jeddo Eve mont
ast Every entreaty Was made by ths magistrate
n: urge Nelson 10 stay, and in vie~ Of the sup]
~. Gazing eyes Of the daueher, be came very III
i. ao,ng 50. His protracted Stay At Jeddo nj
:. him cutie conversant with the Japanese J
e cuase. 80 much 50 that he was appointed
,er the government coast pilot of Japan On bo
,s.. the United Ssates frigate Mississippi.--E.
1t4 ks.sx Int