The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-25

took up my position on the poop,
anxious to hear oil that was said.
"But no reply came back in return
to the stentorian summons Of Cap
tain Webster, who roared through his
trumpet. Fg.-... ..... f.
SLOWLY and majestically the bark
glided by US, her decks. sails and hull
fully revealed in the glancing rays of
the moon. Not sound disturbed the
solemn silence, save the dull thud of a
collapsing sail aloft or the creak of
our spanker gaff as 1t swung to wind
ward.
''Not q soul was visible fore or aft on
the stranger, and thrill of supersti-
tious dread ran through my veins, as
I, in common with all hands, gazed at
the strange sight. AS for Webster's
face, it was white as a ghosts.
Suddenly thought struck me. 1t
was some vessel deserted by her crew.
I offered to board her; Webster
nodded assent, and half an hour after
ward was clambering up her steep
sides, closely followed by my boats
crew.
'"The deck was deserted. Not O
CLEAN Of light was visible from the
cabin sllylight, and no voice replied
to my repeated halloa.
"In fact, shipmate, to make short
work of it, the bark, upon examina-
ton, proved to be deserted. Not a
soul was aboard, or trace of paper
or flag to prove her nationality. s.
''The cargo consisted of brandy,
liquors, and an assortment of French
gew-gaws. I sounded the we'll, but
could discover no evidence that she
was making water, and why the Off
GERS and crew should have abandoned
so fine vessel, has been a matter Of
speculation to me to this day. d.
""When I reported the facts to Web
ster, he could scarcely restrain his
joy at the value of the prize we had
fallen in with. He directed me to
take charge of her, with seven men,
which left him somewhat short
handed, but then the brig was handy
craft, and easily handled. ,'.-
""We anchored shortly after mid
night in close proximity to the beach,
along which the surf was laundering
with unceasing energy. The hills
loomed up dark and solemn, the trees
nodded and waved as the land breeze
set in; the moon shone calmly down
on land and sea, while we, too tired
and fatigued for watch, were soon
buried in sleep. go ca. ~
cat an early hour in the forenoon I
proceeded to land, with all the water
casks in tow. I had carefully recon
noitered the beach, but beyond few
ill-constructed huts and one solitary
Indian stalking about on'the sand,
saw nothing to excite my apprehen-
sions.
"The long boat was put IN readi-
ness 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 wait
ing for us apparently. 'r' .'' at
IT had taken the precation to stow
away a brace Of loaded pistols in my
pocket, which were the only weapons
in the boat. I felt suspicious of the
place, but as there was only one In
dian visible, and he not armed, 1 fell
assured we had nothing to fear from
him. ..t 'p .-.,, 80
"I hailed the native in Spanish ask
ing him if I could procure water nea
by, to which he replied in the afirma
, tive. '.." off ra - .''.''n
again the crew gave way with
, their oars, the keel grated lightly OF
| the sand, and telling the men to cut
loose from the water casks and maxi
their escape at the first sign o
, treachery, I jumped ashore, slowl.
, approaching the Indian, who glanced
, at us with seeming indifference. '"
> "With wave OF his hand he di
rected me toward bubbling spring
| 1t was close to the beach. I could se
: no evidence Of danger, so according
: lyI directed the men to commenc
: operations, that we might finish be
I fore nightfall. r s' f@ F. r'
9 approaching the Indian, who ha'
Q not offered to stir since we had landed
] I asked him if there were any liv,
p stock to be had. He pointed in tn
= direction Of the huts, and motionev
4 for me to follow. t''
y "Grasping one Of my pistols firmly
I walked after the stalwart rascal
who never deigned to glance over hi
= shoulder. '" .- .''''
1--WE were within half q dozen yard
> Of the huts, when my guide gave
, shrill, peculiar cry. In an instant
was surrounded by at least one hun
y dred Indians, who knocked me dow
before I could attempt raising m
: weapons. -r
: stripped Of my clothing, bount
Il hand and foot, and secured to tree
= I was left for short time to my ow
reflections, which were, can tell you
u u shipmate, anything but pleasant.
u "My boats crew were captured to
man, They were SO surprised an
confounded by the sudden rush mad