The Van Buren press., 1860-01-06
Siseellanp.
Life For Life The Last Bullet,

"Lite For Life The Last Bullet.
| The United States ship of-war Constel-
lation, was anchored i'll the harbor of AL
giels, whittier she had proceeded under the
command Of Commodore Preble, having on
board among other officers, Charles Stew
art, then an acting Lieutenant 1t was the
watch of young Stewart, and he was pacing
to and fro on the dock, about hall an hour
after sunset, when he saw small boat, CON
| tanning single person, coming off from the
Old Fort, 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
fwas seen large rover. filled with men,
whose presence was announced by a con-
tinued firing at him whom they were 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 those fel-
lows lesson. Stand by, Mr.. Rogers" he
added, addressing favorite gunner, '.to
throw little grape into that fellow
An instant later wreath of smoke curl
ed up from the side of the ship, and as the
report went boor,ing over the water, the
iron messenger sped on its sway, 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 fugitive 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 required but a single glance from the
Lieutenant to see that he was English or
American. AS soon as he was sufficiently
recovered from his over-eyertion to breathe,
he went on to tell his story, to which Stew
art listened with much excitement. The
new conner was an American citizen,
named James Collins, a native of New
York, who, with his 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 daughter had
been enduring since his capture all the hor-
rors ofa hopeless and aggravated captivity;
but the worst part of the poor mans story,
and that which moved Lieutenant Stewart
the most, was the announcement that his
daughter, a gentle and beautiful girl, was
on the eve of being forced into detestible
union with the very wretch who had bought
her and her father as slaves.
"My agony a. these circumstances cul-
minated not two hours ago ;" finished
the father, "when | struck the per-
secutor insensioe to my feet and fed By
dint of eNertion l managed to reach the
water side, and embarked before the pur-
sucrs could prevent it. But though [ have
succeeded in reaching this rlace of safety,
my poor Alice is still in the power of her
tormento, exposed to his Vengeance; / am
almost crazy at thinking that she may even
now be subjected TO fate worse than death
If could only guide boats crew, under
your orders -
'One moment interrupted Stewart
" Stay where You are until have seen
Commodore Prcble.''
One moment the young lieutenant was
engaged with his commander in the cabin,
and then he came forth with sterne smile
of satisfaction on his features Ten minutes
more had not passed before cutter, with
twelve chosen men, pushed off in the dark
hess, with the lieutenant and the stranger
in the sterne. and rapidly struck out for
shore.
''Our owner" said Mr.. Collins, resides
III TIE western part oil the city. There Is a
coast guard established. but l do not ap-
prehend that we shall have any especial
trouble from that source. | think we can
land below, go up the street to the house
and carry off my child, and all without
losing man."
The boat landed, after twenty minutes Of
rapid progress. and at q small wharf near
the Geleta. in the western part Of the town.
The arrival was certainly observed but not
great deal Of attention was bestowed upon
it by the stupid Algerines. Leaving part CT
his men in the cutter, with orders for them
to Lis down under the wharf, Lieutenant
Stewart and the remainder of his force fol-
lowed the footsteps of Mr.. Collins. who led
the way rapidly up the intervening streets.
On arriving at the prison. an old, dingy
looking structure, extremely spacious, hay
ing all the loosencss Of the Moorish style,