The National tribune., 1881-12-17

respect for the American flag would restrain the
Spanish from searching us.
The contraband freight might, of course, be
thrown overheard, but the unfortunate swarm of
prescribed passengers would still remain, unless,
indeed, we were to send them off in boats-a
measure sure to be detected if not by the Isabel,
by some of the coasters that would report it to
her
Presently, the shooting up Of heavy cloud
bespoke the approach OF a breeze, but our joy at
the indication was soon dampened.
"On deck !" called a voice from aloft.
"Hello!" responded the captain.
"Theres line of smoke, sir, rising over the
high land and | can get a glimpse of ships
spars moving along where the bluff falls Off"
The lookout" had been furnished with a good
spyglass, and my heart sank as he spoke If the
Isabel were really coming, the breeze now at
hand could profit us little, save as it might
enable us to run the barque ashore.
And coming she was indeed, though so far
away that her huge proportions were but family
defined to the naked eye. The sails were furled,
but volume of smoke, reaching far astern, told
that the engines Of the great ship-of-war were in
full play.
We were evidently discovered; for the moment
a sufficient offing was gained, she altered her
course and headed directly for us-the Isabel la
Catoica
Would the wind never reach us? It did so at
last, breezng up very strongly; and, bearing
away before it, we made for the Roman Keys.
But the great, black .trageto also had taken
the fresh gale, and all at once was buried in a
cloud Of canvas The smoke line, at first left
astern in the calm, now came soaring ahead OF
her with the wind, and, with the motive powers
of both steam and sail, she was gaining fearfully
fast.
Ours was race for life, for well we knew our
doom should she overtake us.
At length shot whistled past our vessel-a
call, as it were to heave to. But the island for
which we were heading close at hand,
and as a second shot followed the first, the
barque struck bottom with heavy shock.
The Spaniard rounded-to for fear of getting
aground, and three or four boats were instantly
lowered to board us.
Our own boats, however, were already in the
water, and we were pulling for the shore.
In the meantime shell went through the
barque's stern, and we heard it explode between
decks with tremendous crash; while volumes
of smoke poured through the shattered planking
as if the vessel were on fire.
Half swamped by the crowding passengers, we
bent all our strength to those white-ash oars that
now alone could save us; and at last, leaping
into the water, tumbled headong through the
surf, to find ourselves uninjured on the beach.
But at this moment there occurred an explosion
in the direction of the barque, which caused us
to look hurriedly around
The air was full of fragments. The mainmast
of the Ocelot was blown completely out of her,
and the other masts were falling over
In spite of Mr. Offenburgs idea as expressed
at the outset of the voyage hardly think any
one could have been quick enough to have
thrown "dot powders overpoart," after it had
once caught-it was so very nimble.
We took to the woods, with fifty Spaniards in
full pursuit. But it was already getting dark,
the cayo was miles in extent and they lost track
of us.
At daybreak, next morning with the whole
width of the island between US and the Isabel
we were fortunate enough to find an English
schooner, which, slowing us all on board, took us
over to the Bahamas
Thus ended the only involuntary voyage ever
made. Our flibusterO captain is now in more
legitimate business; Mr. Offenburg still lives to
tell the story of chow quigk vas dot bowders"
and Mr.. Drew declares he will never go again to
carry comfort to any struggling patriots. He
has q had 'nuff it !"