The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-03-07

1Qe OuAke was SWliG, Dub Q6T pUrBu
er was swifter. On the second even
ing of the chase, the foe was within
! gunshot and gave us broad-sid
that carried away our topmasts. 1
would have been mere insanity tc
continue to resist q force so super
ior, when thus helplessly at its mer
cy. tits possible that some desper
ate expedient might have suggested
itself if my crew and myself had
been alone in the brig. But none
Of US dared to propose anything
that would expose the lovely maid
en- in our charge to further danger
and having done our whole duty
as sailors and men, we struck oul
flag, but only to a power capable oi
approaching twice our own force.
Our captor proved to be the frig,
ate Diana, of thirty-six guns, com
lmanded by as great brute as ever
ashamed the name of man by wearing
lit. His true character, however, was
mot perceptible until we had been in
ibis power for some time. He was
Istill young, baronet by hereditary
rights, and his person was pleasing
while his manners were the perfec-
Ition of courtesy. When he first re.
ceived US you would have imagined
us his guests rather than his prison
ers; but ere many days had passed,
a startling change took place in his
conduct, the secret Of which was that
he had conceived a sinful passion
for the innocent maiden cast upon
his protection, and had determined
to crafty it at any hazard.
When cruising alone, he was abso-
lutte in his authority, and none to
call him to account. In any case,
our tyrant's civil rank and influence
would have protected him in any
arbitrary exercise Of power. Prob
ably, however, Sir Edward Martin
cared nothing for the consequences
to himself, Carried away by his un-
holy passion, he would have dared
almost anything to accomplish his
purpose, and when once resolved, no
law, human or divine, was regarded
as an obstacle.
His first step was to deprive Lau-
ra ofthe protection other father and
myself, and this was accomplished
with the cunning of a veritable de-
mon. The first intimation that we
had Of his changed attitude toward
US, was an order to place Mr.. Man
son and myself in irons, we having
been allowed perfect liberty up to
that time. On the afternoon of the
same day we were taken into the
captains cabin, and in the presence
of the Diana's officers, charged with
piracy.
My indignant denial of the charge
was cut short by the tyrant, who
curtly informed us that we would be
allowed to defend ourselves before
court-martial the next morning, and
we were Immediately hurried back
to our place of confinement.
Quite stunned by this unexpected
calamity, we were utterly unable to
divine its cause, but during the even
ing one of the mariners who guard
ed us slipped into Mr.. Manson's
hand a note which threw a flood of
light upon our bewilderment. It
was from Laura, stating that the
brutal commander had plainly told
her that her fathers life was at his
mercy, and that it depended upon
her to save him.
Mr.. Manson was really frantic for
a time, but all his fury was of no
avail, and thus in darkness, chains
and despair, we passed the weary
night, until the red morning dawn
ed which was to seal our fate.
I Ineed not detail the particulars of
the court-martial, which was a mere
mockery at the best. With a cum
ming that was absolutely fendish the
faithless commander had marshal
ed the evidence against US. The
Snakes letters of marque were sup
pressed, perhaps destroyed by him,
and a willing tool of his testified
that no such papeas had been found
on board of her. This, together
with the large crew we had carried,
and the cargo, was enough to con-
demn us. The Spaniards we had
rescued were stated to be part of
our crew, and therefore not allowed
to testify in our behalf. Mr.. Man
son was made to appear the owner
of the Snake, and the utter absurdity
of our carrying 8 refined lady to sea
with as on a piratical cruise, was
passed over as having no weight at
all.
The whole thing was a cruel farce.
We were formally condemned, and
as formally sentenced to be hanged
at the yardarm at sunrise the follow
ing morning.
My feelings when we were once
more chained down between the
decks are impossible to hint at.
How much more agonizing, then,
must have been the emotions Of the
Wretched father about to be murder
ed in cold blood, and forced to leave
his only child in the power Of such
a william as the captain proved to be?
1 cannot dwell on the horrors Of that
awful night. The guard had been
changed, and the friendly marine
could not approach US, SO that if
Laura was in condition to send
another message she could not do so.
Thus, without tidings of the unfOr-
tunate girl, and utterly despairing
our own fate, we sleeplessly passed
the hours of darkness. May heaV-
en- grant that no kin of mine may
ever endure tithe of the agony 1
suffered, and witnessed in the per-
son of the sorrowing father that ter
rible, terrible night.
Dawn came at length, and with its
first glimmer the shrin notes of the
fife and the hoarse rattle of the drum
summoning the crew to quarters,
announced that the preparations
for our execution were already
made. Very soon afterward the ma
rine officer, lieutenant, appeared
with a file Of his men; our shackels
were removed and our arms pinion-
ed with ropes and We were then led
upon deck.
Several times during the night
Ii ..A...Anl Il L.