Year: 1860

all times, by night ana Dy day, until the
entered the Gulf of Mexico, and to Sc
: that his coppers were filed with salt water
J The officers and men had their particu
lar duties assigned to them whenever i
| might be necessary to engage the enemy
and were drilled until they thoroughly un
: derstood the duties that would be required
of them. Mrs Mangrove deslared sh,
would not be exempted from special duty
on the approach of danger; that she hao
as much, nay more, at stake than any one
on board, and spurned the idea of beine
slowed away like piece of useless lumber
in stateroom below, out of harms reach
while her husband and his companions
were fighting on deck, exposing their lives
for her protection.


A fine breeze sprung up soon after Cap.
tain Mangrove had communicated with the
English brig and the Blue Pigeon rapid
| ly approached the spot near which it was
supposed the fearful tragedies had been
enacted. At sunset the following day,
Cape Corrientes was in sight from the mast
head. But while the captain was whisper
ing comfort to his wife, and encouraging
his crew with the prospect of being able
to pass up the straight dunng the night
and thus give the slip to my gang Of pi-
rates who might be prowling round in that
vicinity, the wind, to his great mortifca-
tion, died away and it continued light and
battling through the night. Notwithstand-
ing Captain Mangrove's ezertions to gain
over towards the Yucatan shore, as being
the safest, daylight revealed the unpleas-
ant fact that Cape St. Antonio was in sight
from the deck, being not more than ten or
twelve miles off The wind was still light
from the eastward, and there was no pros
pect of fresh breeze. a...


To the satisfaction of every person on
board the Blue Pigeon, there was nothing
to be seen on the waters with the excep-
tion Of brig far to the northward with
all sail set, steering to the westward Ap-
prehensions of danger from pirates began
to vanish, and the intelligence of their
bloody outrages was looked upon as myth.
But Immediately after breakfast, Captain
Mangrove, on sweeping the horizon with
his glass, discovered a dark speck in the
direction of the Cape. He kept quite
silent, however, until he ascertained be-
yond doubt the character of the object,
which became every moment more distinct
ly visible. At length, in firm, unfalter-
ing voice, he announced to the anxious
ships company, that boat was coming
off from land


This announcement caused quite COM
motion throughout the vessel. There cod
be little doubt about the bloody mission
of those who directed the movements of
that dark speck ON the waters. If any
doubt existed, it was soon removed. The
boat, as it came nearer, was seen to be
full of men, and was steering course dl-
rectly for the brig.


The wind was still light. Sometimes a
flaw or catspaw swept over the water
and gently urged the Blue Pigeon
along toward the northwest at the rate of
two or three knots-then calm succeed
ing, disappointed the hopes which begun
to be entertained of escaping without a
desperate conflict, from the dreadful fate
which threatened them.


Preparations were now made to give the
pirate warm reception. The water was
boiling furiousl y in the caboose-an old
broken hatch bar was thrust into the fire
to be used as loggerhead to touch off
the big gun. This gun was given in charge
of MIR. Slinker, the mate. with particular
directions to fire as soon after the word
should be given as the gun could be bro t
to bear. He was particularly cautioned
to take correct aim, and deliver the whole
broadside between wind and water.


The engine was ready m the waist, and
one of the men, a stout fellow, was sta
toned at the brakes along with Mrs. Man
grove, whose courage, unfailing strength
and coolness even in the anxious hour,
seemed, as much as the confident bearing
and cheering words of the captain, to en-
courage the men to come boldly up to the
work, and by noble resistance, beat of
the desperadoes. To the cook was assign
ed the important duty of keeping the en-
gine supplied with water, and to look after
the loggerhead. Mike Finchly, an old
man-of-war's man, who had been sharp
shooter in the main-top of the Blenheim
in the battle of st. Vincent, under Admi
raj Jervis, was put in charge of the helm
and with two others of the crew, was in
trusted with the important duty of pouring
in upon the coxswain and others in th(
stern of the barge, shower of leader
pellets from the half dozen huge muskets
which, already primed and cooked, were
leaning against the binnacle.


/ Captain Mangrove reserved to himself
In addition to the general superintendent
of commander, an important special du
ty, the judicious execution of which sue
cess mainly depended, viz: to direct th,
stream of boiling water in that direction
which would most efectually scald the ras-
Gals, and deprive them of all appetite fol
rapine and murder or power of resistance
on the ground that boiling water, judicious
ly and copiously administered, causes in
tolerable pain, and ike conscience, makes
towards of US all


The piratical boat, pulled by dozeI
powerful men, was rapidly coming up will
the brig. There were from twenty tt
twenty-five men in the boat, all clad il
colored shirts and white trowsers, will
bandana kerchiefs around their heads
each with a brace of pistols stuck in biz
girdle. and cutlass by his side. One tai
fellow stood up in the stern of the boat
and seemed to be giving directions to the
others, while another formidable looking
rufhan In the bow, with one foot planted
on the stem, and drawn cutlass in BIZ
hand, stood ready, and was appareutly i'm