Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-04-16


the mate, heayily-bearded, morose-look-
ing man. apparently Spaniard; one white
man. an Englishman, and an aged, power
fully-built negro the largest man, as l re-
member him, that ever beheld.
The captain never associated with the
home with his wife and little son, the pres
ent Mr.. Ellis. Save the sad detected look
upon the face of his wife, to all appear
ances they were happy family, But it
was evident from her knowledge of the
lawless life he was leading she was not
happy, though surrounded by every lux
ury; for the rude cabin was almost pal
ace IN its interior Report said that his
wife was continually importuning him to
abandon his dangerous calling and lead
respectable life. As was developed in the
end, it appeared that British cruiser had
long been on the track of the Coral. as
the brig commanded by Capt. Ellis was
called, knowing her to be trader in hu-
man ilesh-an African SLAYER A short
time before his capture, and the hanging
of which have spoken, the captain had
some trouble with his second officer,
who deserted the Coral in her small boat
as the brig was leaving the harbor of
| Charleston. S. c., one dirk and stormy
night. He Immediately joined the British
cruiser. which had entered the harbor
about the time of his desertlon.
1t was the almost nvariable rule Of Capt.
Ellis, after successfully landing cargo
OF slaves at some southern port. to i'm
mediately proceed eastward. He would,
on arriving at a small island just outside
Mt. Desert. put all his crew. some twenty
in number, ashore on this island in charge
of the second mate Here they had rude
huts and canvas tents. we'll concealed
among the high rocks and trees, and for
about month abandoned themselves TO
all sorts of dissipation, being liberally sup
piled with the choicest Of liquors. cigars
and tropical luxurics. ON one of these
annual visits the second mate had been
allowed TO continue into the bay in the
Coral, his place on the island being sup
had learned of the captains rendezvous
and had enjoyed the luxury of hiS ho>pit-
able and clcgraut home. Which aftcrward
proved most unfortunate circumstance
to Captain Ellis.
After joining the cruiser the second
mate gave her commander full particulars
Of Capt. Ellis life. and for liberal reward
volunteered to conduct the cruiser TO whore
the Coral then lay Although the brig was
much faster saler than the cruiser the
delay IN landing the men on the island en-
ahled the ship to enter the bay only few
hours behind the Coral.
Quietly the cruiser, all unsupported by
Capt Ellis, anchored near the entrance to
SkilinGs river, Manning aud arming two
boats, they silently rowed % the mouth Of
the creek. Capt Ellis, his mate the Eng
l-hman. aud burly negro We're the only
ones on board the Coral. preparing her for
a months quiet rest and painting Il was
almost complete surprise, for the captain
had not time to bring one Of his small guns
70 bear on the boats ere they were upon
! him.
4 An iron chest containing large amount
J Of money the proceeds of the sale Of the
! last human cargo, was upon deck to which
was attached a stout rope for the purpose
/ of hosting and swinging il on shore.
4 When Capt Ellis discovered the boats lie
gave the alarm, aud fastening the small
/ sounding line 10 the large one on the chest
/ he ordered the burly negro 10 throw it
overheard and then swim up the creek
with the end of the small line. The other
man Immediately jumped overheard and
swan ashore. Capt. His Icing the last
to leave the brig, received a shot wound
in his arm from carbinc, which so dis
7 abled him that he was soon oyerhaulel and
captured.
/ After setting fire to the brig the British
crew took Capt. Ellis to the shore aud
/ hung him on the appletree a> have be-
( fore stated. This was done in full sight
/ OF my fathers house, but fearing to excite
/ the anger of the British he remained In
side his door With all his falings. Capt
Ellis had one faithful friend, the negro.
/ BY diving and swimming he succeeded in
taking the rope-one end of which WAS Sc
4 cured to the iron chest-far up the creek
where he anchored it with big rock
Then, by lodging and hiding in the under
brush, he approached As near to the Coral
as safety would permit. From some un-
accountable reason the officer as soon as
he had hung the captain, returned to his
boats and gave the command TO row away.
Before the ripple of their oars had died
from the waters, the big black servant ran
To the tree, severed the rope, and taking
the captain in his arms as though but
child hurried into the woods. Here lie
faithfully worked at the little spark of
life that remained in Ellis body till he
brought him back tn Consciousness
The loss of his prig, the fact that his
rendezvous was known. and the long sick
ness which followed the unsuccessful at
tempt at his life, caused Capt, Ellis to
abandon his nefarious calling. Farther
back in the woods from his residence he
owned an old abandoned log hut. Hith-
er he was conveyed, and with articles
from his home he was made as comfort
able as possible, the faithful negro patrol
ing the woods almost day and night to pre-
vent surprise and capture; which, how
ever, though not fully understood, was
never attempted For some cause the
British appeared to be satisfied. and
dropped the affair. The only reason ever
ascribed was given by the negro-that his
master belonged to some secret society and
had given the officer a sign as he was hung
to the tree.
After this unfortunate episode the cap
tain never recovered his health and spirits.
For about year he was able to be around
and had returned to his former home.
Only once did he leave the locality; when
accompanied by his faithful negro he was
gone several weeks. 1t was surmised that
he had gone to the little island down the
bay, where he discharged his former crew,
J and it was also reported that he divided
, generous sum among the men. None of
them were ever seen in these parts after
ward He fingered along for about year