The Portland daily press., 1872-11-16

When we opened the matches we saw the
poor wretches huddled together, manacled
two and two, without any sort of arrange
ment. Apparently they had been hurried on
board at the news of the Planet being off her
cruising station, and thrown down anyhow
until the schooner should be safely at sea.
The wonder was that none were already
sufocated. There were two hundred men
and boys, and twenty women-some with
babies. 1t was really beautiful to see how
tenderly our sailors treated these women as
they knocked off their irons and lifted them
on deck.
The men among these slaves-no longer
slaves, though, now, thank God seemed
almost Supplied; but the women, observing
their late captors lying captive and bound,
understood at glance what had happened,
and began queer sort of song and war-dance
of triumph over them. This they diversified
with an occasional cuff on the head, and were
proceeding to acts of greater violence-mag-
nanimity towards fallen enemy not being
virtue OF savage tribes-had not thought it
time to put stop to their little amusements,
rather to the regret of my own men, who
were enjoying the fun.
we could do nothing more now than at
tend to the wounded and wait patiently-or
lmpatlently-fOr the morning, which we
hoped would bring with il the dear old Planet
so after placing sentries over the prisoners /
sat down by the side of Forester. Struck by
the faintness of his voice as he answered my
inquiries, called for light, and was alarm
ed at the pale, pinched look which had crept
over his features. Suspecting something
bleeding, and that he had evidently lost a
considerable quantity of blood. With diff
Guilty l managed to replace the bandages.
Then recollecting there was bottle of brandy
on the cabin table, had it brought up and
poured small quantity down his throat,
which fetched some color back into his white
cheeks and lips.
Sailors pick up a smattering Of all sorts Of
knowledge at sea, and had seen our doctor,
when his patients eemed dying from sheer
weakness after yellow fever, keep them up
with small doses of brandy. After the same
fashion now dealt with Forester; placing
my fingers on his pulse, and as soon as it ap-
peared to be dying away under the touch,
putting the glass to his lips.
loved this man dearly. His manners were
sometimes rough-mates (they are called
sub-lleutenants now-a-days) were apt to be-
come soured after waiting six or seven wears
for their lieutenant's commission-but he
ruled the riotOus spirits in the midshipmen's
berth with wise authority, and would allow
no bullying. He had been as an elder broth
mates, and helped me out of many a scrape.
And now the poor fellow was about to die, /
thought, just when this successful attack and
his wound must have given him promotion
1t did seem hard.
think that was the very longest night OF
my life. At one time, about five O'Clock in
the morning, l fancied my patient was really
gone: could find no pulse whatever. But
he swallowed some brandy and got better
again, and afterwards seemed not to sink SO
low. L remembered the saying, 'It's darkest
just before the dawn"
And the blessed dawn herself came in
another half hour, and with her came the
Planet. got up, scarcely able to stand on
my cramped legs, and saw with delight her
sails, about mile of. We hoisted the Eng
lish ensign at the masthead to show that we
were in possession. Then we watched two
boats lowered from the cruisers side, in one
OF which, as it came closer, we made out
Captain Dentloup with DIR. Gilbert, our sur
geon. They sprang on board, shook my
hand heartily, looked round.
But where is Forrester?''
took them to the spot where he lay, pale
as death, with bandages soaked in blood.
Gllberts face was very grave as he inspected
the wound and asked what had been given
him. told him, and was rewarded by his
saying: -
You could not have done better; nothing
else would have kept him up during the
small hours. But you need not look so
frightened, he will do well enough, now,
please Godp'
yes" said Captain Dentlcup, and live to
wear the epaulettes he has won!
we lifted the wounded into the boat as
carefully as possible, DR.. Gilbert going with
us to the Planet. l saw Forester made
snug and comfortable in bed made up for
the purpose in the captains cabin, and then
having time to realize the fact that was a
dead beat, stumbled to my hammock, and
was fast asleep almost before my head touched
the pillow. S, W. SADLER