Year: 1859

anchored IN the harbor Of Algiers, whittier
she had proceeded under the command Of
Commodore Preble, having on board, among
other officers, Charles Stewart, then an act
ing Lieutenant, and the man the old Com
modore looked to for assistance in fighting
the Algerines.


1t was the watch of young Stewart, aud he
was pacing to and fro on the deck, about
half an hour after sunset, when be saw
small boat, containing single person, COM
ing from the Old Port, as the western part
Of the town is called, and heading directly
for the ship.


This person was rowing with all bis might
and Stewart was not long in discovering the
cause. Close behind the single boatman was
seen large sallee rover filed with men,
whose presence was announced by a contin-
ual firing at him of whom they were in such
determined pursuit-holding on their way
until they were under the very guns OF the
ship.


Now, by SOUL" cried Stewart, 'may
be shot II do not teach these fellows les
sou. Stand by, Mr. Rogers" he added, ad
dressing faForite gunner, "to throw lit
tie grape into that fellow"


An instant later a wreath of smoke curl
ed up from the shore side of the vessel, and
as the report went booming over the water,
the iron messenger sped on its way, crashing
st,Fn fto hnut nd aounralu lu uOupH-
ing two or three Of her crew. She instant
ly turned to put back, and at the same time
the fugitive reached bis destination and
came up the side into the presence Of the Of
dcer of the deck.


He was an elderly man with stout frame
aud brownish features; but it only required
a single glance from the Lieutenant to see
that he was either of English or American
descent. As soon as he was sufficiently re-
covered from his over exertion to breathe be
went on to tell bis story to which Stewart
listened with much excitement.


The new conner was an American citizen,
named James Collins, native of New York.
who. with his wife and daughter, had been
taken from an American vessel at the same
time with its commander and crew, two
years before, by an Algerine pirate. His
wife had since died. and he and his daughter
had been enduring. since their capture, all
the horrors of a hopeless and aggravated
captivity. But the worst part of the poor
mans story, and that which moved Lieuten-
ant Stewart the most, was the announcement
that bis daughter, a gentle and beautiful
girl, was on the very eve Of being forced in
to a detestable union with the very wretch
who had bought her and her father as slaves.
My agony at these circumstances calm
mated not two hours ago." finished the ia
ther. "when | struck the prosecutor insen-
sible at my feet and fed. BY dint Of exer-
tion managed to reach the water side, and
embarked before my pursners could prevent
it. But though have succeeded in reaching
this place OF safety, my poor Alice is still in
the power of her tormentor, exposed to his
vengeance, and am almost crazy at think
ing that she may, even now, be subjected to
fate worse than death II could only
guide a boat S crew, under your orders


lone moment" interrupted Stewart
"Stay where you are until | have seen the
Commodore"


One moment the young Lieutenant was
engaged with bis commander in the cabin,
and then be came forth with a stern smile OF
satisfaction on his features. Ten minutes
more had not passed. ere cutter with ten
chosen men had pushed of in the darkness
with the lieutenant and the stranger in the
stern. and rapidly struck out for the shore.


"Our owner,r said Mr.. Collins, resides
in the western part of the city. There is
a coast guard established, but | do not ap-
prebend that we shall have any especial
trouble from that source. | think we can
land below, go up tue streets to the house,
aud bring of my child, and all without los
ing a mani"


The boat landed, after twenty minutes of
rapid progress, at small wharf near the
Galeta, in the western part OF the town.
The arrival was certainly witnessed, but not
great deal of attention was bestowed upon
it by the stupid Algerines. Leaving part Of
bis men in the cutter, with orders for them
to lay down under the wharf. Lieut.. Stew
art aud the remainder of his force, followed
the footsteps of Mr.. Collins, who led the way
rapidly up the intervening streets.


On arriving at his late prison, an old din
gy looking structure, extremely spacious
having all the loseness of the Moorish style
the party discovered that silence and dark
ness were the principal features of the scene.
Not sound was heard nor q word uttered.
The whole building seemed deserted. The
agony af the father was extreme.


20, my child. my child" be cried, no
longer able to control the terrible emotions
which bad been surging in bis sou during