The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-10-03

deep rancorouS amnesty to the hrSt mate,
who was prompt, energetic seaman, re-
quiring at all times ready obedience to
his orders.
A week passed in this way, when one
night, in the mid-watch, all hands were
called TO shorten sail. The night was
dark and rainy, but the sea was not high,
and the ship was running off at about nine
knots. The weather being very unproni-
isiDg, the reefs were taken eat of the fore
and main-top sails; the mizen handed,
and the fore and main-top gallant yards
sent down. This done one watch was
permitted to go below, and [ prepared to
betake myself to my berth, directing that
the mate, to whom J. wished to give some
orders, should be sent to me.
To my utter astonishment and conster-
nation, word was brought to me soon af-
ter that he was nowhere to be found. [
fastened upon deck, ordered all hands up
again, and questioned every man in the
ship on the subject, but they, with one
accord, said they had not seen him for
ward. Lanterns were then brought and
every accessible part of the ship unavail-
ingly searched | then, in the hearing
of the crew, declared my belief that he
had fallen overheard accidentally ; again
despatched the watch below, and repaired
to the cabin in state of mental agitation
not to be described. | felt that under
critical circumstances, my main support
had fallen from me.
My first step was to load and deposit in
my state room all the arms on board,
amounting to several muskets and four
pair of pistols. The steward was faith
full mulattc man, who had sailed with me
several voyages. To him [ communica-
ted my suspicious, and directed him to be
constantly on the alert, and should any
farther difficulty occur, to repair immedi-
ately to my state room and arm himself.
After this, laid down ia my bed, order
ing that | should be called at o'clock
for the morning watch. Only few min
utes had elapsed, when | heard three or
four kaocks under the counter of the ship,
which is that part Of the stern immedi-
ately under the cabin windows. In a
few minutes they were distinctly repea-
ted. | arose, opened the window, and
called The mate answered. gave him
the end of a rope to assist him up; and
never shall | forget the flood of gratitude
which nay delighted soul poured forth to
that Being who had restored him to me
uninjured.
His story was soon told He had gone
forward upon being ordered by me, after
the calling of all the hands, and had bare
ly reached the forecastle, when he was
seized by the two foreigners and thrown
over the bow. He was Il powerful man
and an expert swimmer In an instant
he found the end of a rope, which was
accidentally thrown overheard, within his
grasp, by which he dragged himself into
the dead water or eddy, that is always Gre
ated under the stern of vessel, particu-
larly if she is full built and deeply laden,
as was the case with this. BY desper-
ate effort, he caught one Of the rudder-
chains, which was very low, ane drew
himself upon the step or jog of the rud-
der, where he had sufficient presence of
mind to remain until the search fer him
was over. lie then made the signal for
me.
No being in the ship was apprised OF
his safety. IG was at once resolved that
the second mate alone should be informed
of his existence. He Immediately betook
himself to large state rocm Tor the re-
mainder of the passage, and all his wants
were attended to by me.
Nothing of note occurred during the
remainder of the voyage, which was pros
porous.
1t seemed that the foreigners had only
been actuated by revenge In the violence
they had committed. In due season, We
took a pilot In channel, and in a day OIL
two we entered the port of Liverpool. As
soon as the proper arrangements were
made, we commenced warping the shiT
into the dock, and while engaged in this
operation, the mate appeared on deck
went forward, and attended to his dutie:
as usual The warp dropped from th'
paralyzed hands of the horror-strlcker
sailors, and, had it not been taken up by
some boatmen ON board, [ should have
been compelled to anchor again, and pro
cure assistance from shore. Not a woro
was uttered, but the wretches staggered
to the mainmast, where they remained
petrifed with horror, until the officer, wh'
had been sent for. approached to take then
into custody They seemed, in meas
ure, to be recalled to sense OF their aw
full predicament, and uttered the mos
piercing expressions of despair.
They were soon tried, aud, upon tn
testimony OF the mate, capitally conyicte'
and executed.