The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-29
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER VIII.

on our side Smellio lost not moneht
In availing himself 10 the fullest extent
OF our partial victory. He ordered the
cutters 10 be dropped under the schooner's
stern. and whilst this was being done the
springs were veered away and hauled
upon until the schooner was brought
broadslde on 10 her former consorts. now
her antagonists. This done our lads went
10 the guns. double -shotted them, ana
succeeded in delivering an awfully de-
structive raking broadside fore and art
along the decks OF both the brig and the
brigantine The frightful outcries and
the confusion which ensued on board
these crafts assured us that out fire had
wrought tremendous amount or execu-
tion among the men crowding their
decks; but they were TOO wise 10 give US
an opportunity to repeat the dose. Their
springs were promptly manned and by the
time that the schooner's batteries were
again loaded our antagonists had brought
their broadsides 20 bear upon us
Once more was our double-shotted
broadside hurled upon the foe, and then,
before our lads had time TO run-in their
guns. we received the combined fire OF
the brig and brigantine in return.
Through the sharp ringing explosion of
our antaginists nine-pounders We dis
tinctly heard the crashing OF the shot
through the schooners tinibers, and then
% God! / shall never forget 1.-THE
piercing shrieks and groans OF mortal
agony which uprose beneath our feet! Not
a man OF us upon the schooner's decks
was injured by that terrible double broad
side: for the Spaniards. resolved 10 sink
the craft. had depressed the muzzles OF
their guns and sent their shot through
the schooner's sides just above the water
line on the one side and out through her
bottom on the other. regardless OF the
fact that the vessels hold was packed full
OF slaves. The slaughter which resulted
among these unhappy creatures, thus
closely huddled together. must leave to
the readers imagination-it was simply
indescribable.
For a moment all hands of us on board
the schooner were struck dumb and mo-
tionless with horror at this act OF cow
ardice and wanton barbarity then. with
n yell OF righteous fury our lads turned
again 20 their guns, which thenceforward
were loaded and fired Independently, and
as rapidly as possible. The slavers on
their part were not behindhand in alac-
rity, and presently we received another
broadside from the brig. closely followed
by one from the brigantine. the guns
being In both cases aimed as before with
similar murderous results. and with n re-
petition OF those heartrending shrieks of
agony and despair
MY Cod I can't bear this!" I heard
Smellie exclaim, as the dying shrieks OF
the startled air. Mr.. williams, take half
n dozen men below and free those unhap-
py blacks. / don't know whether I am
acting prudently or not. but I cannot
leave them chained helplessly down there
to be cut TO pieces by the shot OF those
Spanish fiends. Let them come on deck
and take their chance with us Some OF
them at least may possibly effect their es-
cape, either In the schooners boats or by
swimming TO the shore"
Williams lost no time In setting about
his perilous work of mercy: and few
minutes after his disappearance down the
main hatchway the unhappy slaves began
to make their appearance on deck, where
they first stared In terrified wonder about
them. and then crouched down helplessly
on the deck wherever they might happen
TO find themselves.
In the mean time the cannonade was
kept briskly UP on both sides. and pres
entity the. Spaniards began to pepper US
with musketry In addition. The bullets,
fired at short range, flew thickly about
us: and the casualties quickly increased,
several OF the unfortunate blacks falling
victims TO the first discharge. Seeing this,
Smellie ordered the schooners boats
three In nu1beT. to be lowered and the
slaves passed into them. This was done
our lads leaving the guns for a few min
utes for the purpose: but-wili II be cred
tied? The Spaniards no sooner became
aware OF our purpose than they directed
their fire upon the boats and their hap
less occupants; so that we were compelled
to quickly drag the unhappy blacks back
on board the schooner again, TO save them
from being ruthlessly slaughtered. The
worst OF IL was. that though William.
had succeeded In freeing many OF them
from the heavy chains with which they
were secured together in the schooner.s
hold, most OF them still wore heavy fet-
ters on their ankles These we now pro-
ceeded to knock of as fast as we could.
afterward pitching the poor wretches
overboard-with scant ceremony. I fear
TO take their chances OF being able 20
reach the shore. And during all this the
Spaniards never ceased firing upon us for
an instant; so there we were in the
midst of n perfect hailstorm OF round-shot
and bullets the air about us thick and
surocating with the smoke from the guns,
! our only light the quick intermittent
flashes Of the cannon and musketry: the
whole atmosphere vibrating with the roar
and rattle OF the fusiliade, the shouts OF
the oombatants. and the shrleks OF the
wounded and dying: struggling with the
unhappy negroes who driven almost fran
tic with the unwonted sights and sounds
around them. seemed quite unable TO
comprehend our intentions, and resisted
TO the utmost our weli-meant endeavors
TO pass them over the ships side into the