Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-05-07
BLOOMSBURY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PENNA, SATURDAY, MA


handy men, Well, the main.yard belay
Rise the head-sheets there one of you.--
Put your helm down my man, and let her
come to. So there you are--s,t-e-a.d.y
Get line ready in the leo fors.riggings
there for the boat
In less than three minutes, the Modesto
was have to =; with her main yard aback.
and in short time little lateen craft, OF
some five or six tons, shot out Of the gloom
astcrt and ragged along upon our cC-quar
ter. As the boot drew us alongside, a
slender looking youth clambered up by
the lanyards Of the main rigger, and leap
ed lightly upon our deck. In moment
the Captain grasped both of the young
strangers hands; and the boy immed-
atoly commenced some hurried communi-
cation, of which, l could ouly now and
then catch a word as 'UGpor bnpa',ale !
"Rio Hngar;" Donna Theresa; )" "Lea.
hone;" &c; from which l inferred that
some one of the Government steamers was
at the River Hugar, near Valencia, and
that some one connected with her, had
been acting tho pirate by killing, MUIR
derng, or carrying off some body who
bore the name of donna Theresa. But
my guessing operations were soon cut
short by the Captain; who, again shouted
to the crew with roar equal to dozen
full grown speaking trumpets-
"llard up your helm there Square the
main yard, and lay aft here 10 the wealth
er-hcad-braces! Let 60 there to lcoward !;
round in to windward. In with EN-, my
beartiest So, helay!' And the brgan.
tine was Of before the wind, heading N
Z. by e, with square yards.
There was few moments of silence,
during which, Captain Benner led the
young stranger up to where | was stand
ing, and introduced him:
"Mr. Raymond, Don Jose Mancilla,
brother 10 Donna Theresa, of whom YOU
have often heard NE speak; Don Jose,
Mr.. Raymond, first lieutenant of the Mod.
esta."
As soon as the usual courtesise were
exchanged between the young Spsniard
and myself; the Captain said to me very
quietly, although l could sec that lie was
q good deal excited.
"Wc'll turn out all reef, and s.t top,
gallant sails, Sir ~
was astonished, and ventured re-
monstranca : "l hundcr,' said ,""Cap-
tain Bcnner, yeu'l pitch both masts slap
over the bows, if you put oil that sail on
to her in this gale"
Cant help it, sir; let 'em 60. Pack
the dimity on to her and make her travel.
GAY, ay sir;" and in less than ten
minutes, the topsail yarns were mast.
headed, top gallants-sais set; the reefs
turned out as the mainsail and fore course
and the little beauty did travel some, BY
this time it WAS daylight, and as the Cap
tain turned to pass below with his young
guest, he addressed me again Is follows
"You will pipe to quarters sir, and
clear ship for action. See both batteries
shotted, bu. hold on with the long gun till
| come on deck; | wish to shot her my.
self"
In the course of another half hour eve
ry preparation was mate to engage an en-
smy-provided there had been one in
sight to engagc-and just as every thing
was got snug, the Captain rc-sppeared on
deck, and his first words were to myself.
GLOW is she going, sir"
"Eleven and half, large, sir the
same time looking alolt, at the top gallant
masts, which were showing a disposition
to scrape an acquaintance with the flying
jibboon.
"Eloven and half!' said Captain
Benner, "that wont do; she must hurry
along faster than that, Well set the roy
ais, and weather fore-top-mast, aud top
gallant stun calls, sir"
didn't say anything but though
that Captain West Benner was crazy, or
very near it. However, I put the addi-
tional canvass on to her and then proceed.
ed to heave the log
Chow many is she going now'"
"Thirteen large, sir"
"Well that's better )" said TIE young
commander, pacing the quarter.d deck fore
and aft, almost at run, and rubbing his
hand, as if he was delighted at the rate
we were driving the little Modesto throug
the water.
Ever since day light, heavy bank OF
dark vspor had hung upon the surface of
the water down ahead of us, completely
bn,,;no in tha horizon in that dirsction