The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-10

dition, which was a pleasant change
from the usual monotony attending the
daily routine.
'tMr. Dacres and his aid, with their
sidearms buckled on, received the part
ing instructions Of their commander at
the gangway. They were snort ana
comprehensive.
you sight the vessel lose no time in
boarding. II she is SLAYER, take pos
session at once. Shove Off" /
"The oars had been mutt1ed, and save
an occasional splash not a sound was
heard as the two boats disappeared in
the gloom and obscurity. Mr.. Dacres
had charge of the launch carrying tWen-
ty men, and Mr.. Capers, in the cutter,
dropped slightly asLern of his superior,
with difficulty restraining the enthusi-
asm Of the ten men composing the BOATS
crew. {
"rhe night was calm and still, and as
| the ash blades struck the placid waters
of the ocean, it had the appearance of
oars flashed like 80 many diamonds or
red hot Goals, while quivering scintilla-:
lions shot out on all sides. The wake of
| the boats could oe traced far astern,
flashing and cleaning with strange,
weird effect.
'tFor an hour the boats pulled on, the
men preserving an unbroken silence,
while the two officers eXerted them
selves to the utmost to discover some :
sign or indication of the strange vessel.
'.The haz9 or light fog bank had gradu.
ally Civ 4 way beneath the influence OF
| the lahu breeze, but the Obscurity was
none the less, as dark, heavy CLOUDS had
rapidly accumulated, shutting out even
the pale light of the stars.
| "Severali itimesRthe boats lay side by
side, Dacres and the miushlpman con-
sulting together in low tones. NO sign
OF the vessel was apparent; the silence
was intense, and nothing was heard TO
break the stiffness save the occasional
discordant screech of the sea-gull or the
faint washing Of the surf along the Why
dan beach. Both or the officers were
young and ambitious; they were anxious
to discover the stranger, but they 1elt,
surrounded as they were by darkness,
doubt and uncertainty, that the chances
were decided against them.
| "For another hour the boats con-
tinued, during which time the wink
shifted into the N. W., and commenced
| to rain. The sea rose in proportion as
the wind increased, and the surf in
creased it's dull roar very sensibly. The
situation was anything but pleasant,
and in fact becoming somewhat serious.
At least SO thought the second lieuten-
ant. who had no desire to be cast away
on the unhospitable coast. Wet through,
disappointed and chagrined at the turn
affairs had taken, Dacres was on the
| point of hailing the cutter with the In
tention of returning to the Sumpter,
when he heard long, low whistle from
| the MILDLY.
at was the signal agreed upon to de-
note that something suspicious had been
seen.
"'Give way, lads, give way. BY the
lord Haray we are in luck at last, l 90
believe. That Capers has eyes like a
fox, and
"'I think I see something, Mr.. Da.
cres,' remarked the MILDLY as he ranged
up alongside the launch, 'but it is so in
ternal murky there is no certainty about
| it, Look there TO seaward. See, the
mist lifts trifle, does it not resemble
the outline OF Vessel!'
| "sFaith, l believe you are right, my
| boy. 1t does loom up wondrous large,
| and if it is only q SLAYER, Capers, your
parchment is secured. Well pull for
her, you board ON the port quarter, and
[ Will take her on the starboard. Keep
your ammunition dry, lads, and now
| give way Win Will
"With simultaneous splash the oars
struck the water, the boats darted tor-
ward with the speed of racers, and each
crew exerted themselves to the utmost
to keep in advance.
"The vessel proved to be large top
sail schooner Of beautiful proportions,
fine lines, exquisite hun, and spars that
were capable of spreading an immense
area of canvas. The very appearance of
the schooner was suspicious, and no
doubt existed in Dacres' mind as to her
true character.
"Standing up in the stern sheets, he
urged the men on to creator exertions in
his excitement, which was increased as
deep hail rang out with startling dis.
tinctness in Spanish:
"'Boat ahoy, sheer off, or Ill firev
"But no attention was paid to the
menace. which was quickly followed by
the report Of a musket, and the loud
whizz Of a bullet that buried itsel
harmlessly in the ocean. Before the
shot could be repeated the boats hat
glided alongside, and the nimble tars
cutlass in hand, with Dacres and CaperE
at their head, stood grim and silent OIL
the broad deck OF the SLAYER.
"The crew, a motley crowd represent
ing all nations, began to pour out Of the
forecastle, each one cursing in his owr
tongue; but they were rapidly secured
by the men-of-war's men, and in a few
moments the captain and officers haC
succumbed to the inevitable fate whicl
had oyertaken them.
"Around the main boom were
rows of steel pointed pixies, along tht
bulWarks were racks containing mus
kets and cutlasses, all in excellen
order, and ready for use at moments
warning. The quarter deck had two
ornaments in the shape ofnine FOUNDERS
and Dacres could not help but exchange
glances with the MILDLY as they took II
the formidable armament with which
the SLAYER was provided.
"Had not the SLAYER been taken BY
surprise, the two boats could have beef
blown out of water.
1.-The slavers crew were bundled to-
gether, guard placed over them, while
!. another detachment kept an eye 10 the
arms which had been piled in close prox'
unity to the gangway.
"An examination OF the hold disclosed
the fact that som ething over one hun
dred slaves had been received on board
and the Esmeralda was forthwith de-
clared prize to the United states sloop
| of-war SumDter. ' '5' ' -r+E