The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-11-28
Our Night in Pirate Creek
From Good Words for the Young.

Our Night-Attack in Pirate Creek.
From Good Words for the Young.
"Away there first and second gigs.
1i"s' crews to muster on deck with their
arms" hruwled out the boatswain's mate
after the usual preparatory twitter of his
silver call.
The first gi@ was in charge of Fores-
ter the mate, and the second in mine, so
very reluctantly, | GOT up from the hard
lockers of the midshipmen's berth of III.
NJ S. Planet. where we had been enjoy
inc an afternoon sesta. and in obedience
TO the pipe went on the quarter deck to
Captain Dentloup. who gave us our orders.
CHOW, Mr.. Forester and YOU Mr.. Muir
ray you are both aware that for some
DAYS we have been watching the mouth of
the Congo. in hopes of intercepting u
vessel which is believed to be lying con-
ceaed some miles up the river, in readi-
ness to start with a full cargo of slaves.
There can be little doubt that u watch is
kept ul,on our proceedings, therefore
mean 10 set a trap for her. This evening
we shall quit our cruising ground and sail
some twenty miles 10 the southwark, leav-
ing the coast apparently clear But as
soon as it is dark you shall shove Off in
the two boats, taking four days provis
sions. and conceal yourselves close III
shore | shall be very much disappoint-
ed if the shaver does not drop down tn"
| river comfortably into your hands"
Then the captain added, turning to me
"They may show fight, and you are
rather Young for this sort of work, Muir
ray. but YOU have been with me for two
years now. and know you will do your
! duty"
| | colored with pleasure when the cap
| tain spoke like this but having no words
| ready. Forester, the irrepressible, an
swered for me.
Il would rather have him with me than
anv one. Sir. Didn't he save my life on
was cutting me down =? to say nothing OF
his shooting the hippopotamus at Bada-
gry."
We went to work now, got the boats
lowered, and kept them on the otfside of
the ship, out of sight of any watches on
shore. In an hour we were ready. Then
there was Il parting cup of tea in the
berth we cast off from the Planet, and
pulled slowly with muffied oars towards
the land, the tall white sails of our float
inc home slowly vanishing in the gloom,
As the boats showed off the men began to
Jump up in the rigging to give US a cheer
but we heard the captain hnrriedly call
them down, and say ''Do you want to
spoil it all, menp"
Yes" said Forester to me, quietly,
.':lnd il will he 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 Every man had his musket and
Gu lass, and in addition there were TWO
| Iong boarding pixies and two pistols in
each boat One of the pistols | gave to
/ Moore. the quarlermaster, 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, a
| keg Of rum and water in harricoes--ol
! small four gallon casks. The surgeon had
also presented Us with a large jar OF
quinine and wine, telling us to take a
wineglasstn each man in the early morn
ng, as Il safeguard from fever. A small
portable stove was placed in the 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
| | overheard Moore saying, g 1t was a
regular Jolly picnic, with the chance, too,
Of 4 fight"
One hours pulling brought us to Shark 5
| Point at the southern entrance to the
Congo, which is here deep and broad
enough for lineoi- battle ships. We thought
| TO have found some place on this side of
| the river suitable for our purpose but the
! current was so strong g-rnnning about
| five knots IN hour-that after struggling
against il some time, gaining q few yards
one minute only TO be swept back the
next, we gave it up for q bad Job, and
stcered for the northern or right bank OF
| the river, which we soon gained.
We could lust 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
/ 'cered. A dark and horrid place it was
! As the trees meeting overhead gradually
shut out all view of the sky, felt as if we
We're entering vault, and the cold, damp
air and miasma from the mangrove bushes
made me shiycr.
Forester, not liking the idea Of push
ing the bows of the boats among these
/
might Z" make night horrid," anchored
Doth thc boats in the middle of the creek
aud the oars being laid in the two gigS
swung to The current, lovingly, side by
| side
"Now then, my lads, you may make
yourselves comfortable; we shall see moth
| inc OF the SLAYER tonight"
This order was obeyed better than mi ght
! have been expected under the crcum-
stances. The little stove being lighted, j
cup OF hot tea followed by the evening
ration OF rum, made the dry biscuit 60
down without much difficulty. Then
blanket trocks having been put on ovel
serges, the men lighted their pipes, and
stretched their legs out, or rather tried to-
for n good stretch was out of the question
We talked on till midnight, our mer
having dropped off to sleep some time be
fore. Then | made a pillow of one of the
water-kegs, and wrapping myself well up
in Il blank et-coat contrlved. after some
skirmishing with the musqultoes-who
having discovered our position were thirst
ing Tor English hlood-to get some hours
uneasy rest.
suppose it would be difficult to find 9
more unhealthy place in which to spenC
the night in an open boat, than Pirates
Creek. We awoke at daylight, cold
cramped and shiyering, our clothes satu.
rated with damp. Such a collection O
yellow faces, We blessed the doctor fol
his forethought as we each took a glass o
his quinine wine. Cocoa and biscuit fol
breakfast afterwards made us fit for any
thing
Unluckily we had nothing whatever to
do. The expected prize would not come
down while daylight lasted, and we darec
not betray the fact of our presence by
leaving the creek and rowing openly on
the river. We must while away the hour.
as well as we could but a long, long day
it seemed. There were some books in thu
boats; Moore, too, had brought fishing
line, with which | was speedily at work
and to my delight pulled up several tin'
fish to exc out our scanty dinner.
After about an hours successful sport,
felt tremendous tug at the line, whlcl
was strong one for deep sea fishing. l
| daananad into a Ct aadv mil mora than m,