Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-03-09
ANARRnw

In the early part OF the Venezuelan war of indie
peudence, Bolivar, who afterwards rose 20 such a pitch O
greatness, WAS q colonel in command of The castle o.
Puerto Caballo, that commanded the harbor and tht
town Of that name. The populace were opposed 10 ia,
patriots, aud unfortunately there was a traitor ia %,
castle, named Cabrera, who was the sdlutabt Of the
post
/ had beeniu port several days irausferrirg my cargo
from nv vessel. the Sea shell. 10 the castle, having sold
out my entire stock in trade to Bolivar az a good round
price. HAD landed the last package from my brig, and
had taken in water and ballast for my return voyage
and intended, 50 soon as the land breeze should rise. on
the following morning, 70 lift my anchor and away. !
had received my money, and all thai remained was to
pay my respects to the commandment and the other
officers, for whom 1 had conceived a warm friendship.
Accordingly, as night fell, / stepped into my yawl and
1 directed my men 70 pull 10 the boatlanding beneath the
northern bastion Of the cast e, where i left them with
orders to ret-rn to the brig, and come for me when I
should signal for them by swinging my boatlanteru from
the battement
] hid been expected. and Bolivar, with a number of
his officer, received me with that afability for which he
was remarkable.
Ahsr supper, vine and cheerful conversation followed
till a late hour. All his officers. with the exception OF
Cabrera, tn new adiutant, were present This mans
duty was 70 maze the round Of the citadel, examine into
the security Of the prisoners, and tse that the guards had
been properly disposed, and then 10 report % his com-
mander. But the hours passed on TIL deep in the night.
aEd YET the adjutant kad not made his appearance.
Bolivar began 70 etnce sigus OF mpahence, and
directed one of the heutenants present TO descend 20 the
guard house and order the absent officer 10 present his
night report Immediately.
The messenger returned without the aIiutaut, and with
q troGb ed expression upon his face, approached his com
mander and whispered something in bis ear.
"Noln't exclaimed Bolivar As BE sprang TO his feet
d" II cannot be true %
Bat al this instant a p~istolshot was heard. and then a
voiey Of m~uskery, followed by shouts Of
Long live the King Death 20 the rebels 20
Follow me, gentlemen p exclaimed Bolivar, as he
snatched up his sabre, and sprang to the door. THAT
arch villain, Cabrera has released the newly-srriyed
prisoners, surprised the guard, and opened the gates to
the c%Ut-throat dcss Of the city o.
So saying, be rushed 10 The parade. followed by the
eaieers and myself But it was now useless 10 proceed
farther, for so completely had the treacherous adiutant
sion.
Bolivar, at a glance, eompreheudod the state Of the
ease and mouoning us back % tie quarters whence ae
had issued followed in our rear, and strongly boiling the
postern behind him, reioued us in the supper room.
-Genaemen, said be, now perfectly cool, and master
Of his feelings, "the castle is in the possession Of these trai-
tors Treachery hlA conquered all orr vigilance, and
there now remains To usbut one hope. Captain Gordon.
your vesselg8
Il can 1 answered
Then, sir do sor She presents our only hope Of
While be was speaking we could hear an excited rsb-
bic battering al the posteru opening upon the room we
were occupying Soon the mmd-rous crowd would be
upon Us. ran out upon the balcony overbanuiug The
harbor. There lay the little Sea Shell, resting quietly
upon the water, ike a duck asleep with her head under
her wing. Not a ripple disturbed the ealm bosom Of the
harboT, t~Su was at inst brecze.css hour when the regu-
lar northeast trades having liedapay, were soon TO give
place 20 the briefly continuing breath Of the land. ]
waved my lantern, and the signal was Instantly answer
ar
men and while I yet swung my Light ont over the la
cony, / heard the rattlhlg of the oars IN the boat. aud
then the splash Of the sweeps in the water.
Al this moment we hear4s crash Of the door below,
aad M another instant a rush Wus mali for the room
where the officers yet fingered Bolivar, like a lion at
bay turned upon the heTce assalantS1anc with LE DOW
erful arm, rained npon their heads adesdly shower Of
sabre cuts The entrance was soon deiuged ia blood
and, although well seconded by his companions. the
crowd that forced itself up fro3b-aN, re-eoiiess Ofhe
death Of their comrades. were in a moment too numerous
tor han, and the governor and ais friends were Obliged TO
fall back within the balcony.
had continued to swing my lantern, impatieuty urg-
ing my men a. the shore, and now shouted to them for
Gods sake 10 make all haste. This, however, was not
necessary, Tor 1 waS satisfied tha1 ;bey were doing their
best. Still they were too latel The insurgents rushed
in upon as, and were already sWaruiug upon the bal
cony, when Bolivar shouted
ITO the water, friends To the water The tide IL up,
and We must swim for itl'
And setting the example, he leapeG over The balus-
trade, and suspending himself o moment. swung his
body out over the rocks, and dropped below. We heard
y plunge and then AN encouraging shout, and could see
the brave colonel strike ont boldly toward the approach
ing boat. We followed him, and by the time the last OF
the patriot officers had reached the water. the place we
had left was filed with the fierce traitors, who ratified
yoley after vohey upon us. But all n vain Not a
man was touched
Scarcely had we struck out from the rocks than tho
boat reached us, and In five minutes more we were all
safely on board the Sea-SheL
The and breeze soon sprang up, and before the insuf-
gents could bciug The guns q the fort 10 bear upon us, in
their eager search for the pluEdsr OF tie officers quar-
tes, we were flying out Of the harbor.
After eTuizing a few days on the coast. We fell in with
& Columbian priyateer, On board Of which, At bis request,
Bolvsr and his companions were transferred.
On a subsequent voy age, when tie patriots were once
mere IN possessi0n Of the ports, l met again with the hero
OF that nights adventure at Puerto Caballo. He had
already risen 10 tic command eli the revolutions y army,
and had not forgotten the little service l had then rem
dered him. was received with the most aattering at
teud0ns, and among other testimonials was presented
with the commission Of port captain in the new navy OF
The Republic and when Bolivar afterward became pres
idsnt, he caused my name to be enrolled ON The pension
list q the government, ard 70 this day continue 10 To-.
ceive this token Of the friendship and gratitude Of that
truly noble patriot.