Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-06-29
Romantic Adventure Of a Sailor in Japan
A Nantucket WhaIeman In Jeddo Pre-.

$3.50 Naso@tf SeAoNf AN''Na''
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Romantic Adventure Of a Sailor in Japan
A Nantucket whaieman in Jeddo Pre-
vents au Eiopsment.
At the present time, when the Japanese
are the excitement Of the day, the following
strange and romantic narrative will be read
with interest. Tuesdays New York EVen-
ing Post observes:
Among the Sandy Hook pilots there is
none better or moro familiarly known than
Captain Nelson. Mr.. Henry Steers the ship
builder, is now building pilot boat for him,
which in the course of month will be ready
to launched from her ways at the foot Of
Twelfth-street- East River. A frank sailor,
roughness charaeterizes Captain Nelson;
those who know hina like him for his honesty
and plainness of speech, and none ever
thought of accusing him Of being given to
spinning sailor yarns.
A Swede by birth, at the age of seventeen
an inclination to follow the sea possessed
Captain Nelson. Unable to resist,She shipped
as sailor before the mast He soon found,
however, a sea life not SO romantic or pleasing
as he anticipated. The captain under whom
he sailed was harsh, and knocked him about
with cruel severity. Not relshing this treat
ment, he deserted at Matukta, small island
in the Pacific Ocean. Soon an opportunity
presented itself of shipping on a whaling
vessel, the Euta,e, from Nantucket on her
way from the Pacific Ocean. A terrible storm
arose, the ship was dismasted, and they we're
obliged to put into Jeddo for repairs This
was in 1881.
Casting off anchor, a feet of row-boats ap-
preached the Eutato and signaled to her to
move away. Not needing the injunction,
the feet surrounded them, each boat attach
ing itself 20 the other by a chain. They
were thus made prisoners, with no chance Of
escape. After a while a large row-boat
made its appearance The style of the boat
and train Of attendants nearing the waters
edge, made it evident that some one endowed
with unusual athority was on board. Imme-
diately one of the environing chains was
loosed, and the large barge was rowed to the
side of the ship. A man, dressed in state,
with two immense swords dangling from a
belt, mounted over the side of the ship, and
by signs intimated desire to know what
they wished. By means Of an interpreter,
they explained the occasion of their visit,
and expressed readiness TO depart when their
vessel was put in proper repair. The official
told them they could do nothing toward re-
pairing their ship until they had delivered
two of the crew into his hands as hostages to
guaranty against violence on their part.
The Captain expressed his assent to the pro-
position. i
"But you must hear another condition"
said the official. e
"What is it?" asked the captain.
"On each man" responded the official,
must be placed shirt coated with sulphur
and tar. The moment you break faith with
us, the shirts of each will be set on fire and
the men burnt to death"
The condition was hard one. There was
no other alternative, however, but to COM
ply with it, Captain Nelson, who was then
only seventeen years old, and young man
named Turpin, of Philadelphia, consented to
being delivered up as hostages The official,
who proved to be the ruling magistrate. of
Jeddo, had young Nelson and his companion
taken on shore and delivered over to
guard. They were placed in sort of tent,
near the dwelling OF the magistrate. Think
ing it best to be guarded against emergen-
cies, young Nelson concealed about him a
pistol NO. f''i =
Weeks elapsed, and with them the wearing
of the sulphur-coated shirts. At first the
guard was strict but generally they were
kept under less restraint until finally they
were allowed TO roam almost quite free
during the daytime. Gradually, also, the
magistrate lessened his reserve toward them.
At length he invited them to his house then
to eat with them and to play the Japanese
chess.
A daughter, young, handsome and spright-
ly,- formed part of the household of the
Jeddo magistrate. The pale sailor youth
looked admirngly upon her, and she recipro-
Gated the look; interviews followed glimpses
lhcy oOOu IcdTuSu 10 understand edcl Otner.
An ohcer OF the army was a suitor of the
magistrates daughter; her father did not ap-
prove OF the officer, and she had agreed TO
elope with him. He was to come on GER
tain night. A change had come over her in
clinations, and she did not wish to go, she
was afraid that if she did not, her lover would
take her life. Young Nelson advised her to
elope and promised to rescue her.
The night came and the lover also. Young
Nelson learning the route the officer would
take, stroled out of town during the day
and lay in wait for him. Sure enough the
midnight tramp of steeds was heard, and
soon-it was clear moonlight night--a ret
inue of horses appeared Nelson hid behind
tree. The officer was the last of the train
He had the young girl on his own horse. Al
the horse was passing the tree where Nelsor
was in ambush, be discharged his pistol a.
the horse. Immediately the horse stumbled
and Nelson seized the affrighted maiden
The pistol-fring frightened the troop 0
horsemen, aud thinking a large party wa
lying in ambush, they fed the officer follow
ing suit.
Taking the girl home 20 her father, he wol
the old gentleman's gratitude, he becam,
more of n favorite and was a daily dine
thenceforth it the family table. he was al
lowed to dispense with the sulphur shirt, an,
was altogether privileged character. Hi
companion, Turpin, had, however, TO wea
the sulphur shirt TO the last.
The EutaV remained at Jeddo five months
Every entreaty was made by the magistrat,
TO urge Nelson 10 stay, aud in view of tn
supplicating eyes of the daughter be cam,
very near doing so. His protracted stay a
Jeddo made him quite conversant with thl
Japanese language, SO much so that he wa
appointed by the government coast pilot o
Japan on board the United States frigat,
Mississippi. i1'a.il.iA
RAvAeEs OF SMALLPOX. ANpSs rHu. In
DIAEs.--One of the Senate's amendments /,