Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-10-10

l.have described him to have been. and
similarity dressed. Their features wore
the look of mixed ferocity. cunning, and
stupidity of the bulldog. Certainly they
could never become the allies of an honest
man. att
Captain" / exclaimed. "put me ashore
agar" we were now alongside the schoo-
ner--''you cannot take me aboard that
vessel but by force"
lyon are welcome to go ashore" said
he, "but there are swarms of aligators,
always hungry. not at all backward OF
particular at making their supper of man.
even II ne is Yankee. Besides" he con-
tinued, at the same time coolly drawing
his revolver, ''if your head appears above
water between this and the wharf, so sure
| ly will | prove to you / am marksman,
/ by sending slug through your skull, and
what the alligators leave of your carcass
can float to the Gulf. and your soul to
hi; so swim for itl'' 4If
"Hurrah!' yelled the brutes al the cars.
perceived at once that indifference was
the best mask could assume. So calmly
told him that paying flying visit to pr
rate ship. even in such pleasant company
as that | was then in, was preferable to
bathing under circumstances so 'disadvan-
tageous.
That night found me prisoner, disarm
ed, in the hold of one of jeff. Davis's pi.
rates. evidently Of the blacklist cast, iron
ed and alone, All around me was COM
pete darkness; but by the slight motion
of the vessel. and the gentle sound of the
rippling pillows against the side knew
we were under way; bnt whittier we were
going was mystery Igroaned in agony.
and in desperate struggles tore the flesh
from my wrists. vainly hoping to rid them
of the manacles. AT intervals, as / Lay
gasping with exertion and pain. the sud-
den fall of coil of rope on the deck a.
bove me. the rapid order Of an officer, and
the shouts of the seamen in reply, was a
tslight relief to my mind, harrassed by a
thousand uncertainties.
Hours passed, and still lay. sleepless
and desperate. Ten minutes freedom,
with my weapon in my hand. face to face
with the treacherous bandit and his hire
lings. would have been dearer to me then,
than the Pc session Of an unexpected for
tune to aaruinea speDdthrift. 5 rr'ea-r
Anew itlea struck me- / shouted to the
full extent Of a voice by no means weak
rendered strong by thirst for vengeance
l'cursed the pirate captain. his crew. and
7 his schooner, and denounced, in the frenzi
ed language Of despair. the pretended gov.
eminent that granted internal commission.
for robbery and bloodshed. /, aclsnowl
edge now the folly of, conduct so puerile
1t is easy now, in recalling to memory my
feelings on that night. to perceive the un
manliness Of which | was guilty; but tn,
sane retrospection Of the present momen
is poor judge Of the madness of the past
n ray of light suddenly appeared shoot
ing from the opened hatchway, closed un
til now, admitting heavenly breath from
the river breeze direct to my burning tenn
Piles. Hand me the lantern," exclaime,
the captain. by whose command suffere,
my present durance; and in q moment tn
pirate stood by my side, the lantern which
he held in bis hand casting. a.lrrnl clan
upon both of us. We were alone. and
yard or two beyond orr immediate vicini
ty the same impenetrable darkness existed
that had filled the entire hold before tn
introduction Of the light in the hand of m
Tailor.
"Northerner." he began, in low, husk
| tones, Il hate your race n cursed yam
kee, OF Boston, started me once in tn
; slave trade. | made two successful trips
: and he cheated me of every cent / shoul
i have made by the ventures. | had shed
S little necessary blood; he held the proof.
, and | was powerless. But | forgave him
8 invited him to visit me near neighborin
: bayou" Here the pirate paused a mo
ment. then in an assumed tone of Metho
u distical precision. continued:) Eyes.
: forgave him, as brother Christina, shoulJ
5 | had Just got religion" (IIere an in
!, ward chuckling prevented him for fe,
moments from continuing.) 1--WE took
} moonlight excursion on the bayou. to hur
> alligators. / told him it was the onl
/ sport INDUCED in. as it was shame
most unchristianlike. to slay the Harmless
J creatures ofthe earth: but these were ravcr
l. Gus wretches, eHemies to man, and ii
:. dread of all domestic cattle. He refuse
y at first, as the beasts. he said. were dange
J ous to contend with. / gently remonstrs
Is ted with him. and carried the day.
l. was glorious sail we two enjoyed thu
, night. on the waters of the bayou.
re AT length we neared the opposi
d bank. black with cane break and swarm
ing with alligators. We were so On su
L rounded by them. l was steering and ten,
G. ing the sheet of our only sail. AT my r
quest, he pointed his rifle at one fellow {
= the weather side. within three fathoms
$. the boat. He fired, but merely woundt
a. the animal, who snorted, dashed his tai
N and disappeared. | saw the poor so
was nervous. / advised him to be mo
collected. and take better aim next tim
OF We were again surrounded by the ere
81 lures; my friend rose to his feet, in ord
ID the better. as he supposed. to ram hon
" his charge. The dear soul was unused
ly handling a rife; he was more accustom
to to pen cheating accounts. / advised hi
= to take care or he might lose his balance
ig (Aga;n the fendish chnckling interrupt
H. him.. "And as l gave the brother
en- counsel. stopped down. canght him by I
lg heels. and sudden as a shot he was swir
OF ming for his life among herd Of deligl
ne ed alligators. watched his clumsy stru
ut giles and listfasd to his frantic cries wi
ne Christian fortitudc and resignation.
he reached the side of the boat / pretend
en- to relcnt at his entreaties, and permit