Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-08-08

N"ihuS oNVi luo slue, WHICH ldctS
did not impress me very highly with the
officers seamanship.
The bark yawed fea-fully, so much so
that Captain We bster had to caution the
man at the wheel 10 be careful.
lie had evidently made up bis mind to
speak TO the stranger. and took up my
position on the poop, anxious to hea, all
that was said.
But no reply came back in return to the
stenlorian summons of Captain Webster
who roared through his trumpet.
Slowly and majesticaly the bark glided
by us, her decks, sails and hull fully re
vealed in the glsncing rays of the moon
Not sound disturbed the solemn silence,
save the dull thunder oil colapsing
sail aloit or the creak of our spanker gaif
as it swung 10 windward.
Not 4 soul was visible fore or aft on
the stranger, and thrill of supers'i-
tious dread ran through my veins. as /,
in common with all hands, gazed at the
strange sight. As for Webster's face, il
was as white as u ghosts.
Suddenly thought struck me. 1t was
some vessel deserted by her crew. |
offered to board her; Webster nodded
assent, and halt an hour atterward was
clambeTiug up her steep sides, closely
followed by my bost's crew.
The deck was deserted Not a CLEAN
OF light was visible from the cabin sky.
light, and no voice replied to my re-
pealed hauoa
In fact. shipmate. to make short wo k
OF ii, the bark. upon examination, proved
to be deserted. Not soul was aboard,
or \ trace OF paper or flag 70 prove her
nationality.
The cargo consisted of brandy, liquors,
and an assortment OF French gew-gaws.
| Isoundcd the well, but could discover
no evidence that she was making water,
and why the officers and crew should
have abandoned So fine vessel, has been
a matter OF speculation to me 10 this day.
When | reported the facts TO Webster,
he could scarcely restrain his JOY 1t the
value of the prize we had fallen in with.
lie directed me to take charge OF her,
with seven men, which .eit him somewhat
short-hauded. but then the brig was a
handy Graf; and easily handled,
We anchored shortly after midnight in
close proximity to the beach, along
which the ,urf was laundering with ur-
ceaSing energy. The hills loomed up
dark and solemn. the trees nodded aud
waved as the land breezes set in; the
moon Shono calmly down on land and
sea, while we, too tired and fatigued for
watch, were soon buried in sleep.
At 40 early hour in the forenoon | pro-
ceeded to land, with all the water casks
in tow. / had carefully Ieconnoitered
the beach. but beyond few i'll CONSTRUCTED
huts aud one solitary Indian stalking
about on the sand, saw nothing TO e1-
cite my apprehensions.
The long boat vas put in readiness; /;
my own watch, picked men and true,
manned her, and with the casks in tow
we pulled slowly in toward the point
where the lone Indian was waiting for
us apparently.
had taken the precauliOn to stow
away brace of loaded pistols in my
pocket, which were the only weapons in
the boat. felt suspicious OF the place.
bu, as there was only one Indian visible.
aud be not armed. felt assured We had
nothing to fear from him.
1 hailed the native in Spanish, asking
him if | could procure water near by, to
which he replied in the affirmative.
Again the crew gave way with their
oars. the keel grated lightly on the sand
and telling the men to cut loose from the
water casks and make their escape at tue
first sign OF treachery, | jumped ashore,
slowly approaching the Indian, who
Glanced at us with seeming Indifference.
With q wave of his hand he directed
me toward a bubbling spring. Ii was
close TO the beach. | could see no evil
dence of danger, so accordingly
directed the men to commence opera
tions, that we might finish before night
fall.
Approaching The Indian. who had moi
offered 10 sir since we had landed,
asked him il there were any live stock
TO be hal. He pointed in the direction
of tho hu;s. snd motioned me 10 follow
Grasping one of my pistols firmly
walked after the stalwart rascal, who
never deigued 10 glance over bis shoulder
We were within halt dozen yards o.
the huts, when my guide gave shril
eculiar CRY. In an instant l was sur
rounded by at least one hundred Indians
who knocked me down before | coulC
attempt raising my weapons.
Stripped of ny clothing bound han'
and foot ard secured to tree, was
,or, for q short time 10 ms own rehec
,ions. which were. 1 can tell you' ship
mate, anything but pleasant
My boats crew were caP'uieu -
man They were so surprised and con
c,rrdsd nv the sudden rush made upoi