The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-08-13
Miscellaneous.
JUDY, THE CAPTIVE.

At dawn on February morning some fil-
| ty years since, the lookout on board of the
sloop-of-war Rosebud, engaged in reprcssing
the slave trade OH the African coast, report
ed a suspicious sail about eight miles to
leeward. Chase being made the vessel was
quickly identified by her very delightful pur-
suers as the Arrow, noted SLAYER, whose
capture had hitherto proved impossible; hel
captain and mate, both English, being men
distinguished alike for skill and hardihood
and possessing more accurate knowledge
of the coast than was furnished to those
newly arrived by the imperfect chart Of that
| time.
The keen Arrow had not been slow to dis.
cover her danger. Up went helm and away
she flew, with stulding sails set-despite the
greatly increased wind-shaping her course
for a small but secure cove VERY little known
and probably unknown to the Rosebud,
commander,) situated about one hundred
miles northward of Loango.
The chase had commenced about seven
o'clock in the morning, aud by three the
lookout reported land, something about twcn'
ty miles distant; chase five miles to leeward
and apparently running straight for the
nearest hcadand.
As they approached, the land rose up
| high, and shelving towards the shore, dis,
played small clumps, marking itself us that
kind of coast which generally terminates in
rocks.
STRANGE" remarked Captain Henderson
of the Rosebud. "The fellow is now heading
straight for that beach. If he escape,
drowning he should hang for at least Il hun
drcd murders, They say he never ships les,
congos than hundred a trip"
"Perhaps they'll raft it or try their boats,
said the first lieutenant, Mr.. II. "Wind's
refreshing, sir, Had we not better shorten
sails and close-reef-top sails? ?"
"Hes. Turn the hands up at once. Rend
cables, and have all ready to come to an an.
chor, If this gale lasts, doubt whether We
could weather the shore. Send me the
charts"
In vain did he, with the master, examine
these documents, The surveys had been ev.
identity incomplete, and only dubious marx
indicated the possibility Of 4 cove at hand
The captain gave orders to reef COURSES anC
not to bear up after the chase, but to keep +
good lookout upon her, and get a cast of tho
deep sea land.
"Ihiry fathoms, sir; fine hard sand"
reported Il quar,ermastcr "Chase still con.
tinues to run for the shore, although short
ening sail"
GLOW far is she from land, do you thinl; p
About four miles, sir-standing end on. ,
'lloN far from us?'
"About the same, sir"
II think, sir" Mr.. liall said, as he saw hi
chief glance anNiously at the immense Sc.
rolling in, we had better get oil. We mu,
not lose sight of her ,and can anchor ais,
should she do So"
"Iou are right, Hall, still fear to boa
out against this sea is impossible, and as t,
anchoring, you hear that we'yea sandy bot
tom. Nothing would hold here"
"Shall we try the other thing, sir?"
| VS. NY ntI llt CpuIoSS. lpDWn you
top-gallant yard and masts on deck CaI
on preyenter braces, and keep her half
point of the wind so as to ioreroach,"
In this not very pleasant situation, by n,
means sure Of escaping wreck, and to see tn
ship that had lured them into the danger o
standing in Us coolly as though entering
familiar haven, we leave the Rosebud for
moment and board the chase.
"'Twill be touch and CO." observed thc
mate Rawley to the hurley captain of tn
SLAYER,
The person addressed was a short an,
thick-set, small-cyed yagabond, dressed in
round jacket, glazed hat with Il small
brim, large, rough trowsers, an old, weather
worn glass stuck under his arm. lie SCENE
perfectly uneoncorned, though the vessel uu
der him was apparently rushing on to ineyi
table destruction.