The Portland daily press., 1872-11-16
Our Night-attack in Pirate Creek.

crews to muster on deck with tnelr arms,
bawled out the boatswaln,s mate after the
usual preparatory twltter OF MS silver call.
The first gig was in charge of Forester,
the mate, and the second in mine, so very re-
luctantly l got up from the hard lockers Of
the midshipmen's berth of III. NJ. S. Planet
where we had been enjoying an afternoon
siesta, and in obedience to the pipe went on
the quarter deck to Captain Dentloup, who
gave us our orders.
Snow, Mr.. Forester and you Mr.. MURRAY
you are both aware that for some days we
have been watching the mouth of the Congo
in hopes of intercepting vessel which is be.
lieved to be lying concealed some miles up the
river, in readiness to start with full cargo oi
slaves. There can be little doubt that a
watch is kept upon our proceedings, therefore
1 mean to set a trap for her. This evening
we shall quit our cruising ground and sal
some twenty miles to the souuhward, leaving
the coast apparently clear. But as soon as il
is dark you shall shove off in the two boats.
taking four days provisions, and conceal
yourselves close in shore. shall be very
much disappointed if the SLAYER does not drop
down the river comfortably into your hands. 2
Then the captain added, turning to me-
"They may show fight, and you are rather
young for this sort of work, Murray, but you
have been with me for two years now, and
know you will do your duty"
colored with pleasure when the captain
spoke like this, but having no words ready
Forester, the irrepressible, answered for me.
81 would rather have him with me thar
anyone, Sir. Didn't he save my life ON hoard
the Colorida when the Spaniard was cutting
me down? to say nothing of his shooting the
hippopotamus at Badagry."
We went to work now, got the boats low
cred, and kept them on the ofiside of the ship,
out of sight of any watches on shore, In an
hour we were all ready. Then there was part
ing cup of tea in the berth; we cast off from
the Planet. and pulled slowly with muffled
oars towards the land, the tall white sails of
our floating home slowly vanishing in the
gloom. As the boats showed off the men be-
gan to jump up in the rigging to give US a
cheer; but we heard the captain hIrriedly call
them down, and say; ''Do you want to spoil
it all, menp'
''Yes," said Forester to me, quietly, ''and
it will be time enough to cheer when we get
back.''
The gigs were six-oared boats, so that we
numbered fourteen in all, twelve blue jackets
and two officers, Forester and myself, Ev,
cry man had his .nusket and cutlass, and in
addition there were two long boarding-pikes
and two pistols in each boat. One of the pis-
tolls gave to Moore, the quartermaster, who
was my stroke oar, and kept the other for my
own use.
In the way of provisions we had salt pork
ready boiled, biscuit, cocoa, tea, key of rum
and water in barricoes-or small four-gaIlon
casks. The surgeon had also presented us
with large jar of quinine and WINE, telling
us to take wineglassfu each man in the ear
ly morning, as safeguard from fever A
small portable stove was placed in boat, with
charcoal for fuel, that we might enjoy the
luxury of hot tea without fear of the smoke
betraying our position. In fact, as | over
heard Moore saying, cit was regular jolly
picnic, with the chance, too, of a fight"
One honr's pulling brought us to Sharks
Point, at the southern entrance to the Congo,
which is here deep and broad enough for line
of-battle ships. We thought to have found
some place ON this side of the river suitable
tor our purpose; but the current was SO
strong-running about five knots an hour
that after struggling against it some time
gaining few yards one minute only to be
swept back the next, we gave it up for bad
job, and steered for the northern or right
bank OF the river, which we soon gained.
We could just make out that we were close
to an inlet, called in memory of deeds of
blood once done there, Pirates Creek. and
into this creek we cautiously steered A
dark and horid place it was. As the trees
meeting overhead gradually shut out all view
OF the sky, l felt as ii we were entering
vault, and the cold, damp air and miasma
from the mangrove bushes made me shiver.
Forester, not liking the idea of pushing
the bows ofthe boats among these mangroves
where snakes and reptiles might ''make night
horrid," anchored both the boats in the mid
die OF the creek; and the oarJ being laid in
the two gigs swung to the current, lovingly,
side by side.
NOW then, my lads, you may make your
selves comfortable we shall see nothing of
the SLAYER tonight
This order was obeyed better than might
have been expected under the circumstances.
The little stove being lighted, cup of hot tea
followed by the evenin, ration of rum, made
the dry biscuit go down without much diff
Guilty. Then. blanket frocks having been put
on over serges, the men lighted their pipes,
and stretched their legs out, or rather tried
to, for good stretch was out of the question.
We talked on till midnight, our men hay
ing dropped off to sleep some time before.
Then | made a pillow of one of the water
kegs, and wrapping myself well up in blank
et-coat, contrived, after some skirmishing
WITH the musquitoes-who having discovered
our position were thirsting for English blood
to get some hours uneasy rest.
suppose it would be difficult to find a
more unhealthy place in which to spend the
night in an open boat, tan Pirates Creek.
We awoke at daylight, cold, cramped and
shivering, our clothes saturated with damp.
Such a collection of yellow faces! We blessed
the doctor for his forethought as we each
took glass Of his quinine wine. Cocoa and
biscuit for breakfast afterwards made us fit
for anything.
Unluckily we had nothing whatever to do,
The expected prize would not come down
while daylight lasted, and we dared not be-
tray the fact of our presence by leaving the
creek and rowing openly on the river. We
must while away the houfs as well as we
could; but long, long day it seemed. There
We're some books in the boats; Moore, too,
had brought fishing line, with which was
speedily at work, and to my delight pulled
up several fine fish to exc out our scanty din
ner.
After about an hours successful sport. I
felt tremendous tug at the line, which was
a strong one for deep sea fishing 1t deepen
ed into steady pull, more than my arms
could bear.
Here's either a big conger or shark p
exclaimed, leaning half out of the boat to
prevent the line being carried right out of
my hands. The words were scarce out of
my mouth when was fairly dragged over
board and pulled down to a considerable
depth. At last l let go, and rising swan to
the boat. did not mind the ducking, but
the water was horribly muddy and black.
FORESTER helped me in, laughing at the fish
having nearly caught me instead of my catch |
Ing tie fish.
Meanwhile Moore had dexUeriously stopped
mat part OF the line which was still inboarel |
from running quite out, and now with |
another man was steadily hauling in.
eff it's shark he will be SMASHING tho
boat with his TAIL" l said; and directed a |
man to stand by in readiness with BOARDING
pike. In another ten minutes young shark.
i've feet long, came to the top, struggling !
uriously and lashing the water all over us. !
A clever thrust with the pike prevented his J
long any mischief and then the men De-
'patched the creatures with their cutlssses.
blood. i'i LIS
Saaii'ofs always look upon sharks as merei-
ess enemies, to whom is to he shown No
neIoy' MOI to be wondered at, perhaps. |
a 4 et Tue circumstances of their lives
airer one mas been killed, there is always
,feat CURIOSITY TO know what he has got in
lde INN. In this instance the inyestsSst; On
disclosed the hand of young negro ch ,;1i
Before this discovery there had been s sn,.n
ak of eating the more delicate nort;o, ooue
he shark, but now in disgust it was aI,a+, VI
o float away with the tide. ''Ao"e"
At length the long, hot afternoon bo,,rs
assed away. Night came on suddenly as
ever does in the tropics, and we began to
reepare for the coming fight, or surprise
eltnout fight-there was no knowing
'nlch OF the two it would turn out. The
Gamer suited our purpose. There were no
,ouus IN tho sky, and although mist was
~ p 10y over the water, yet a young moon