New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-04-16

summer season, when dry weather ana gentie
breezes prevail, 10 not duly appreciated by the
owners Of a ship. This engine would contain ten
or fifteen gallons Of water, and worked briskiy by
two men, could be made to throw q stream with
force sufficient to wet every sail IN the ship.
Captain Mangrove determined to convert this en-
CINE, which was never intended for weapon Of
war into an engine Of destruction. He deter
mined, In case this band Of eutthroats should
rashiy attempt to board the Blue Pigeon, to test
water and not knowing at what time or under
what circumstances the brig might be attacked,
he at once gave the cook orders TO keep roHsing
fire in the caboose at all times, By night and BY
day, until they entered she Gulf of Mexico. and
to see that his acoppers" were filed to the bFim
with salt water.
The oficers and men had their particular duties
assigned them whenever # might be necessary to
engage the enemy, and were drilled until they
thoroughly understood the special services which
would be exaeted Of them. Mrs. Mangrove de-
clared that she would not be exempted from spe-
cial duty on the approach OF danger; that she had
as much, nay more, at stake than any one on
board, and spnrned the idea on being slowed away
like useless piece Of lumber in Q stateroom be-
low, out Of harms way, while her husband and his
brave companions were fighting on deck, ex-
posing their lives for her protection.
/ a fine breeze sprung up soon after Capt. Man.
grove had communicated with the English brig,
and the Blue Pigeon rapidly approached the spot
had been enacted. At sunset the following day,
Cape Corrientes was in sight from the masthead.
But while the Captain was whispering comfort to-
peet Of being able to pass through the strait during
the night, and thus give the siip to any gang Of
pirates who might be providing III that vicinity, the
wind, to his great modification died away, and it
continued light and battling through the night.
Notwithstanding Captain Mangrove's exertions to
gain over towards the Yucatan shore, as being the
safest, daylight revealed the unpleasant fate that
Cape st. Antonio was in sight from the deck, be-
ing not more than ten or twelve miles Off The
wind was still light from the eastward, and there
was no prospect Of fresh breeze.
To the great satisfaction Of every person on
board the Blue Pigeon, there was nothing to be
on the waters with the exception OF brig far
to the northward with all sail set steering to the
westward. Apprehensions of danger from pirates
began to vanish, and the intelligence Of their
bloody outrages was looked upon as myth. But
Immediately after breakfast, Capt Mangrove, on
sweeping the horizon with his glass. discovered
dark speck in the direction Of the Cape. He kept
silent, however, until he ascertained beyond a
doubt the character of the object, which became
every moment more distinctly visible. At length,
in firm, unfaltering voice, he announced to the
anxious ships company that boat was coming off
from the land!
throughout the vessel There could be little doubt
in regard to the bloody mission Of those who
directed the movements of that dark speck on the
waters. If any doubt existed, it was soon re-
moved. The boat, as it came nearer, was seen. to
be full of men, and was steering course directly
| for the brig.
The wind was still light. Sometimes flaw, or
catspaw, swept over the water, and urged the Blue
Pigeon along toward the northwest, at the rate of
4 two or three knots-then o calm succeeding, dis
appointed the hopes which began to be entertained
/ of escaping without desperate conflict from the
| dreadful fate with which they were threatened.
Preparations were now made to give the pirates
| a warm reception. The water was boiling furious
| Iy in the caboose-an old broken hatchbar was
thrust into the fire, to be used as loggerhead to
touch of the big gun. This gun was given IL charge
1 to fire as soon after the word should be given as
the gun could be brought to bear He was par
tieularly cautioned to take correct aim and deliver
the whole broadside between wind and water.
4 The engine was ready in the waist, and one Of the
| men, stout fellow, was stationed at the brakes
along with Mrs. Mangroye, the wife of the captain
whose courage, unfailing strength and GOODNESS
even in that anxious hour, seemed as much as the
confident bearing and cheering words Of the cap
tain to encourage the men to come up boldly "a
work. and by noble resistance beat of the des
peradoes. To the cook was assigned the impor
tant duty of keeping the engine supplied with wa
/ ter and to look after the loggerhead. Mike Finch
Il ley an old man-of-war's man, who had been
sharp-shooter in the main-top of the Blenheim, il
the battle off st. Vincent, under Admiral Jeryis
i was put in charge of the helm and nth two other
Of the crew was entrusted with the important dut
Y of pouring In upon the coxswain and others in III
Stern Of ne barge, shower Of eaden pellets froI
4 the half dozen huge muskets which, alrcad
. primed and cooked, were leaning against the BIZ
9 nacle.
!. Capt. Mangroye reserved to himself, in addtio
8 | to the general superintendent of commando
. the important special duty On the jndicious exec
d ton Of which success mainly depended, viz: to
rect the stream of the boiling water in that dire
d ton which would most effectualy scad the rasca
r and deprive them of all appetite for rapine an
murder or power Of resistance. on the ground tn
itered, causes intolerable pain and, like conscienc
s s.makes towards of us all! y
!, The piratica boat, pulled by dozen powerf'
: men, was coming rapidly up with the brig. Iher
Q were from twenty to twenty-five men in the boa
I all clad in colored shirts and white trowsers wit
9 bandanna kerehiefs around their heads eac
f with brace of pistols stuck IN his girdle, and
cuass by his side. One tall fellow stood up in til
g stern of the boat and seemed to be giving dire
g tions to Others while another formidable lookin
s ruffian in the bow, with one foot planted on tn
STEM and drawn cntlass in his hand, stood read,
I and was apparently Impatient TO spring over III
\ side OF the brig.
G The boat was in the wake of the brig; but as
i breeze at this time sprang up, it gained upon Il
+ Blue Pigeon only at the rate OF some three kno
: an hour. When near enough to be heard distinct
1 by the pirates, Capt. Mangroye hailed the boz
o through his large speaking trumpet, and perempt
d rily ordered the crew to keep off, to pull away
9 some other direction, and that he should nre
: them if they attempted to come alongside
= He was replied to by shout of derision, and Il
tall man in the stern seats, in t0lerable Engiis
d sternly ordered him to heave to at once and i
$ them come on board, or they would murder ever
d man, Atthe same time the eut-throat on the DO
g waved his cutlass to ntimidate, and bloodrt
il flag attached to short flag staff, was dispfays
from the stern Of the boat.
# "That's enough" said the captain; think Y
# can pepper those fellows now with q clear co
J, SCIENCE
Il He ordered the men to stand by Nc
y huff, said he to the man at the helm. !. So
h steady. Put your helm amidships. Now sci
y your musket, Mike, and give good account of !
IS fellow at the stern.''
le The course Of the vessel having been chang,
ID the piratical barge was brought about four poi
10 on the starboard quarter, but heading toward
le fore chains Of the brig. Wisely measuring the
ne lance with practical eye, Captain Mangroye g
lie the word.
or aNow, then, play away. Fire, Mike-f
ms Snkler, watch your chance, and let them have
II, A well directed voey from three muskets,
to stantly followed by another of the same charact
Mt knocked over the cockswain and the tall fell
on who appeared to act as the commander OF
Of pirate gang, and severely wounded seye
nd others.
A hideous scream of mingled pain and lndgl
tly ton was raised by the pirates, but was chang
~ into chorus OF undiluted agony when stream
ed boiling water was poured like torrent into 4
les bows of the boat, upsetting the fierce despera
nal who stood ready for boarding, and sweeping o.
IN and among the boats crew with commendable
ts partiality produced the most intolerable tortu
no causing all to drop their oars, and some by an
es. voluntary impulse to jump overheard. The vel
lot resounded with bowls Of anguish and outcries
", despair as loud and terrific if ten thousand
nd mons were undergoing pinch and screw