Iron County register., 1897-09-16
Capture Of ~~
~~ tbe ''GcI11et.
BY DAVID wECHSLER-
copyright. 1871

BY DAVID wECHsLER.
LCopyright, 1871

ON THE morning of June 20, 1871
the brig Comet, bound from Charles
ton to Bahia, was off the coast OF
French Guiana in dead calm, which
had set in at midnight. AS far as could
be seen from the deck not sail was in
sight, and after breakfast the watch
on deck turned to at various jobs and
the captain remained in his cabin. At
about nine o'clock, and without our
having suspected her presence, a ships
boat touched our port bow, and next
moment gang of men came tumbling
in board. The entire watch happened
to be in the waist of the brig at that mo-
ment, and the fellows, to the number
of IA, reached the deck without oppo-
sition or question. No sooner had
caught sight of the first one than 1 rec
.ognized the uniform of the French con-
victs at the penal settlement of Cay
enne, but the last of the gang was over
the rail before stepped forward to ask
what was wanted. A burly big fell
low. who was surely Frenchman, but
spoke excellent English, advanced a
step or two and replied:
eve are convicts, as you perceive.
We escaped yesterday morning. We do
not mean you any harm, and if you
will do as we wish all will be well. If
you are not the captain then please
call him."
There were six muskets among the
IA men, and one had but to glance at
the faces to realize that they were des-
perate. looked over the rail and saw
a large yawl, provided with mast and
sail and oars, and a breaker of water
and a box of bread were slowed in the
bows.
1--WE had plenty of wind yesterday
and up to midnight" said the spokes-
man. after that we took to the oars.
Let us see the captain and come to an
understanding as soon as possible"
1 sent the boy down for Capt. Bright,
and if had been astonished at sight
of the convicts pouring in over the bows
he was dumbfounded at finding them
drawn up in line across the deck. He
was trying to ask for an explanation
when the spokesman doffed his cap,
bowed, and said:
"My dear sir, you see before you IA
-convicts who escaped yesterday from
CAYENNE. We were ali serving life SEN
tences. In making our escape we had
to dispose of six guards, and these
muskets belonged to them. We sailed
down the coast, and then changed our
course, but it is likely that we shall be
pursued. Your ship is ours, but we only
wish to use it to convey us to some safe
and distant place. It is for you to say
whether we shall shed more blood"
Capt. Bright was a nrey old fellow,
and / expected to hear him call upon
the crew to attack the invaders. He
rewred and white with anger, clenched
his fists, and moved towards the spokes-
man as il to strike him. Then common
sense came to his aid. There were ten
of us to II of the convicts, and we stood
no show. They were as good as in pos
session of the craft, and would not
hesitate at killing us all If provoked.
$50 you are convicts?" said the cap
tain at last.
1--WE have that honor, sir" replied the
leader.
ssWhere do you wish to go to?"
sTo any spot on the American coast.
We are sorry to trouble you, but under
the circumstances it cannot be helped"
"You have big boat here" said the
CAPTAIN, as he stepped TO the rail, "and
why don't you make use of it to go
where you villa"
~For the reason that there is only one
sailor among us, and because it is
Dretty long run up to the American
coast We have our plans, and they
cannot be altered. With all respect,
eay that you must land us where we
wish"
"You have possession" said the cap
tain. as he paced back and forth, "and
7 am forced to do as you wish. Let
4here be no trouble. Iwin agree to Land