ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM, INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
TOWANDA:
Sfltnrhun morning, Nowmber 25, 1854.
Stkrtor $ otlrs.
A SONG OF W INTER.
bt Mas feahcks a. obekx.
His gathering mantle of fleecy snow
The Winter-King wrapped around him ;
And flashing with ice-wrought gems below
Was the regal zone that bound him.
He went abroad in his kingly state,
By the poor man's door —by the palace gate.
Then his minstrel winds,on either hand,
The music of frost-days humming,
Flew fast before him through all the land,
Crying, " Winter—Winter is coming!"
And they ang a song in their deep, loud voice,
That made the heart of their king rejoice;
For it spoke of strength, and it told of power,
And the mighty will that moved him ;
Ofai! the joys of the fireside hour,
And the gentle hearts that loved him j
Of affections sweetly interwrought
With the play of wit and the flow of thought.
He has left his home ,n the starry North,
On a mission high and holy ;
And now in hia pride he is going forth,
To strengthen the weak and the lowly—
While his vigorous breath is on the breeze,
And he lifts up Health from wan Disease.
We bow to his sceptre's supreme behest;
He is rough, but never unfeeling ;
And a voice comes up from his icy breast.
To our kindness ever appealing :
By the comfortless hut, on the desolate moor,
He is pleading earnestly for the poor.
While deep in his bosom the heart lies warm,
And there the future life he cherisheth—
Nor clinging root, nor seedling form,
Its genial depths embracing, perisheth.
But safely and tenderly he will keep
The delicate flower-gems while they sleep.
The Mountain heard the sounding blast
Of the Winds from their wild horn blowing,
And his rough cheek paled as on they passed,
And the River checked his flowing—
Then, with ringing laugh and echoing shout.
The merry school-boys all came out.
And see them now, as away they go ,
With the long, bright plain before them,
In its sparkling girdle of silver snow,
And the blue arch bending o'er them;
While every bright cheek brighter grows.
Blooming with health—our winter rose !
The shrub looked up, and the tree looked down,
For with ice-gems each was crested,
And flashing diamonds lit the crown
That on the old oak rested ;
And the forest alone, in gorgeous array,
For the spirits of winter kept holiday!
Soon the joyous skaters fly,
With no thought of a coming sotrow—
For never a brightly beaming eye
Has dreamed of the tears of to-morrow —
Be free and happy, then, while ye may.
And rejoice in the blessing of to-day.
Stlttftb Citlt.
THE CRUISE OF A GUINEAMAN;
iroio 3 fPsllipiw's log.
BT JOHN W. GOULD.
CHAPTER 1.
" Jack, Garnet," quoth Tom Seymour,as we stood
upon Pier No. I. North River, one alternoon in Ju
ly, 18 , "do you see my brig, yondet! She is
a sweet craft—carries twen'y long eighteetis. and a
long forty two. besides two twenty-four pound car
ronade? on the poop, and two on tire iorecasile;—
two hundred men, who are stationed and quarter
ed as in men of war; three officers, whom I call,
for fun's sake, second and third lieutenants, ami
master; and half-a-dozen boys for reeje.s Now I
wan a first lieutenant, and you are the very fellow
Ship with me, and we'll rundown to the Trades
in ten days, and then—whew! Go away, salt wa
ter! She is a Baltimore Clipper, sails like the devil
and will put the wind's eye out on a bow-line.—
Give her one point free, and she's ofl like a shot.
Will \ou go!"
Thank you," I replied, " I am somewhat tick
lish about the neck. I would rather be hung round
(he waist. You are too strong to be honest; and
when you are on blue water you will make some
mistake about the subject of property ; and then the
first man of war you tall in with will siring yoa all
up at your yard arm, and that's an elevation for
which I am in no way ambitious. I would rather
die in my bed when the time comes "
' Weil," replied Tom, " I am sorry you are so
particular about your cravats; but will you go on
board and take a look at her! I hove-short this
morning, and shall trip my achor in hall an hour
and go to sea. Come, I'll leave you at quaran
line."
We jumped into his boat (a twelve-oared culler)
ar.d pulled for the brig. Ae we neared it a boat-
Ream's call " piped the side ;" four boys manned
the gangway as we passed over, and wa were re
ceived upon deck in true man o' war fashion.
" Why, Captain Seymour," said I, " you have a
regular man ot war brig here."
Yes," ha replied, leading the way to hia cab
in, 11 she's a Johnny War. Mr. Carline, (second
lieutenant,) hoist in boats, and get ready for weigh
ing anchor, sir."
Now. Garnet," he continued, as we were drink
"• 3 wme in the cabin, " you had better reconsider
ar, igo me. You can make your fortune in
°ne cruise oh the coast of Africa, where we are
bound."
Save your breath to cool your porridge, friend
B3id I, " lor I tell you flatly I will not
6°; >nd yoa may as well set your mind ateas on
l i point, for 1 have no more dodge about me than
" 9 mainmast."
Al 'his instant, a reefer reported all ready for
Sighing anchor.
r a " hands up anchor, then," said he
Jirr!e " you lake the trumpet, juet ;o oblige
THE BRADFORD REPORTER.
me! I have some writing to do before we leave
ihe port."
I took the deck accordingly. The capstan was
manned, the anchor run up, and sail made; and
with a smacking breeze from the northweat we
dropped down the bay. Just before we reached
the quarantine, Seymour came on deck.
" Captain Seymour," I said, " you will please
take command. I wish to be set on shore here.—
Port, quartermaster. Boauwain's-mste, call away
third-cutters."
" Belay all," interrupted Seymour. " Lieuten
ant Garnet, you are in for it, and shall go with me
anyhow "
" Perhaps I shall," said I, dispatchiug the trum
pet at his head, as I walked forward to the star
board gang-way to look out lor a shore-boat. There
was none near, and looking aft, I saw Seymour
clear away the end of the main royal hilliard, and
tie it in a running bowline. That manoeuvre show
eu me that there was no time to be lost, and as we
were now in the narrows, and within a hundred
yards ol Staten Island shore, I buttoned my round
about, and hailing Seymour, " Here goes lor the
coast of Africa!" jumped overboard and struck out
for the land.
Seymour, however, was as wide awake as I, and
as I rose to strike out the second lime, his running
bowline came over my head, and caught me round
the body, and I was hauled on board before I knew
what was the matter.
" There,"said he laughing, as he met me at the
gangway, " you see 1 am bit of a Guacho, and can
throw a lasso on a pinch. You are hung round the
waist , now, just aayou wished not long since."
My reply to his wit was a blow with my fist
which tumbled him across the deck in fine style;
but before I could repeat it I was overpowered, and
being taken to the poop, was lashed hand and foot
to a carronade.
" Now, then, Lieutenant Garnet;" said Seymour,
" when we get out of sight of land, I'll loose you;
but it I were to do it sooner I'm afraid you would
be overboard again."
As I could not do better, I quietly submitted to
my fate, because swearing would do no good. So
now bahold me bound for foreign parts—first lieu
tenant of a brig of war—anchored Acad and stern
athwart ships of a carronade. As we passed the
forts, the first object which met our view was the
frigate Constellation, at anchor in the lower bay.
" The devil!" said Seymour, clapping a spy
glass to his eye ; " she dropped down yesterday,
and had, I supposed, gone to sea. I remember
they looked at me pretty hard as they passed me
at anchor, and now they are wailing to catch me
I'll weather them yet."
As we neared the frigate, I observed some mo
lion aboard of her; and in an instant alter, all the
ports of the main-gun deck, on the starboard side
—the side toward us—as she rode at anchor—
were taken out, arid the tompions of all the battery
followed.
" Do you see that, Captain Seymour!" said I
smiling.
" I do, LieutenanlGarnet," was the reply. " Pott
quarter master."
" Port, sir."
II Mr. Carline," he continued, " take the deck,
sir, while I uniform. Keep her head for the stern
of that frigate "
He went into the cabin, and in a moment re-ap
peared in the lull uniform of the United Slates Na
vy, cocked hat, sword, a pair of pistols in his belt,
and a cigar in his mouth. As he came upon the
poop, a sheat cl red flame glanced from one of the
Constellation's ports, which was followed by the
emphatic report cf a thirty-two pounder. The ball
by accident of course, struck our cut-water, and
made us minus a figure-head.
"The English ot that," said Seymour, " is
'come to, you rascal.' Since my friend, the com.
modore, wishes it, I'll do that thing. Port, quarter
master. Keep her lor the bow of the Constella
tion. Loose royals and to'gallantsaiis, for we've a
stiff breeze, and I have no idea of being afraid ol
them. .Send up our black ensign, signal-quarter
master, at the peak, fore and main, and under it
the American flag! There!" smacking his lips as
that dread banner floated gayly on the breeze, over
the stars and stripes, " that will do better, Lieut.
Garnet, what say you!"
"Go to the devil!" I replied, for I was not in
the best of humor.
" If I do, Lieutenant John Garnet." said he, com
plecently, " 1 have the satisfaction of knowing that
yon will sail in company."
" Cast loose both batteries," he continued, "and
load each a round-shot, a stand of grape and canis
ter, and fill the long forty-two to the muzzle."
When we were about two hundred yards from
the frigate, dashing ahead at ten knots, he ordered
the drums to beat to quarters, took his stand upon
ihe starboard-quarter rail to con the brig, and sung
out:
" Slack the iee-braces—round-in 'he weather
ones—starboard the helm, hard-a starboard !"
We fell off before the wind, and past abreast the
Constellat on, as she rode head to the wind, so
closely that the muzzles of her long main-deckers
almost touched oui bulwarks. The captain of the
Constellation stood abaft upon the signai locker;
and Seymor coolly tossing his cigar upon her deck,
hailed her:
" Brother commodore, if you are short of hands,
I'll lend you a hun !red, and take payment in round
shot and canister."
" Commodore MontBgue," I hailed, " I am de
tained here by force. Compel my release, sir."
" Heave-to, you sir," aaid Montague to Seymour
" and send that man aboard of me instantly."
" I'll see you first," was Seymour'* reso
lute reply.
" Heave to, instantly," replied Montague, " or
I'll aink you !"
Do it, and be to you," replied Seymour,
drawing bis cutlass in defence. " Man the star
board battery! Port, bard-a-port—ttand by—mind
the weafher roll—fire !"
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY AT TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, PA., BY E. O'MEARA GOODRICH.
" REGARDLESS OF DENUNCIATION PROM ANY QUARTER."
We peseed under ihe Constellation'* atern, rak
ing her, a* each gun came to bear,dismounting her
•tern chasers, and clearing her main-gun deck en
tirely, for the moment.
<( Starboard the helm !" hailed Seymour, firing
a pistol at Mo.itague.
We fell ofl before the wind, and keeping ihe
Constellation's three masts in one, made all sail for
the bar, there being no time lor chit, as she of
course would instantly slip her cable, and bring
her broadside to bear. Our fears .were groundless,
though Seymour's matchless effrontery was all that
saved him. While the Constellation's guns actual
ly bore upon us, they were restrained from firing
by their amazement at the impudence of the " little
fellow;" and at this moment they could not fire if
they would. Their capstan bars were shipped,
and everything was in readiness for weighing anch
or, when we hove in sight; but cur strange con
duct prepiexed Captain Montague, and our raking
broadside completely nonplussed him. Our shot
unshipped his capstan-bars, cut up his messenger,
and totally demolished the bins where the cabie
was belayed ; in consequence of which, the cable
ran out until it was brought up by getting loul in
the hause hole, and there it was jammed perfectly
fast.
The combination of so many unusual events pro
duced an unwonted result; and lor the first time
since tar and oakum came into fashion, a United
States ship was in confusion; and before order was
restored we were across the bar, and nearly out of
shot, without the loss of a man. Preceding that I
might as well make the best of a had bargain, 1
hailed Seymour;
" Cut these lashings, Tom ; I will do as you wish
since I can't avoid it."
" You ate a clever fellow, Garnet," said he,
complying with my request; " I like your spunk.
You are just the man to be my first lieutenant, will
you take that command !"
" I will," said I, " and 1 will be obeyed and re
spected accordingly."
" It is a bargain," he replied, grasping my hand;
and turning to his crew, he informed them ol my
elevation, and commanded their obedience.
" The Constellation has slipped her cable, sir,"
reported the signal-quarter-master, " and is making
all sail in chase."
" Very good," answered Seymour, " she caunot
catch us."
" You are wrong there," I said, " she brings the
breeze with her, arid as it will soon blow a gale,
she will have the advantage."
" Night is coming on," said Seymour, " and
we'll dodge ihera. That we can do at any rate."
" You will please remember, Captain Seymour,'
said I " that you have a Yankee to deal with ; and
moreover, the fellows whose skins you chafed with
grape and canister will feel rsther touchy, and keep
a bright look-out."
" Ay," replied he, smiling, " and the commo
dore, too, will like an opportunity to return my pis
tol shot. Take the deck, Garnet, while I work up
my reckoning, anJ make my will "
It was now growing datk, and (he array of clouds
in the northwest, and the increasing swell of the
sea, plainly showed that a gala was coming It was
therefore, necessary to get all the start we could
before it came on to blow ; for in a gale the Con
stellation, being larger and heavier, could carry
sail longer than we, and of course would overtake
us 1 accordingly gave orders to set fore and main
royals, and fore and man topmast studdin'-ssils,
and as she bore that well, ( added to' gallant-stud
din'-satls, boarded the starboard tacks, and putting
her head south by west, we were ofl at twelve
knots an hour.
It was now nearly dark, but with our night glas
ses we could see the Constellation, under sky sails
and royal-studdin' sails, steering directly for us,
with the speed and fury ot an avalanche.
" Well," said Seymour, watching her with his
spyglass, " unless Moutague takes in his sky sails
and royal stuJdin'sails pretty soon, he will have
the royal masts over the side, for the bteeze is much
Iresher with him than with us."
At this moment a heavy squall struck the Con
stellation ; as soon as it cleared up the signal quar
ter master reported that her sky sails and royal
studdin' sails were blown away.
" That's good news," said Seymour chuckling ;
" Garnet, we'll distance them yet."
" She has bent new sky sails sir," reported the
quarter master, a moment after.
" The devil she has!" said Tom, slopping short
in his walk—" why, she's in earnest. Set our roy
al studdin' sails, and sky sails, Mr. Garnet—we'll
pull foot."
I obeyed the order, and away we went, with
our studdin'sad lack, and royal and sky sail back
stays, as taut as bars ol iron.
For a while nothing material happened, and
each about held her own; but at two bells in the
evening watch the Constellation's sky sails royal
studdin' sails blew away, and the sky sail masts
over board.
" That is a fair hint," observed Seymour; " Mr.
Garnet, we'll save our sky sails and royal studdin'
sails. Take them in, sir "
The order was obeyed, and for a moment the
brig was easier—but the wind freshening very
much, we were obliged soon after to furl the roy
als ; and, shortening sails as it became necessary,
at lour bells in the evening watch we were under
main to' gallanieaili, while the frigate had all three
to'gallantsaiis and main royal standing, coming on
" hand over flst." At six bells she was within
range ot our long forty-two—a heavier gun than any
she carried. It being run out at a stern port, Sey
raour pointed it himself, and watching the send
forward, fired- The ball struck the frigate's figure
head, scattering it about in fine style.
" Tbera," said Seymour laughing, " we are even
now. She knocked my figure heaj to pieces in
the bay, and now I have given her as good."
After we had fired a few times, the frigate'e bow
chasers began to give tongue; end, eaob hoping to
disable the ether, shots were exchanged with great
gusio, although i( was (oo dark to sae the effect
But, in spite of everything, she continued to gain
upon ua, and at two bells in the mid watch was
within two miles of us, the wind blowing a gale,
under whoie topsails and courses, while we had a
reef in each.
As a last refuge, we bore off before the wind,
continuing to blaze away with our long forty-two,
while she, as we kept her three masts in one, could
not tire a shot; but, although our shols evidently
told, they did not do much mischief.
At four bells in the mid watch, she was within
half a mile, and was preparing to gve us a broad
side, which would have paid oil all scores, when
a tremendous squall suddenly came up, and it be
came entirely dark.
We hauled our wind instantly, boarded our lar
board tacks, put out every light, and kept silence
fore and aft. The Irigate, not aware of that man
ceuvre, continned her course, and in five minutes
dashed past us and we were safe, being dead to
windward. It continued very dark for half an hour,
and when it finally cleared up a little, the Constel
lation was nearly hull down in the south east. So
we escaped her thai lime, and when we had stood
northeast long enough, we squared away, and as
the gale moderated, made all sail lor the south'&rd
and easl'ard.
A few days alter these occurrences, the look-out
aloft, one morning, reported a sail ahead crossing
our course.
" Keep her away for that vessel, sir," said Sey
mour to the officer of the deck," and call all hands
to make sail."
Taking the deck, as acoording to man of war
rules, it was my duty to do when all hands were
called, 1 made all sail a trifle quicker than light
ning, and then surrendered the trumpet to the offi
cer of the watch.
The stranger preceived that we were chasing
him, made all sail to avoid us; but it was not so
easy to escape, when it put the wind out of breath
to keep up with us, anil accordingly we were very
soon so near that they, in obedience to our signal
gun, hove to. We hove to, also, and a boat being
lowered and manned, Seymour said to me :
" When I wave my handkerchief, Garnet, send
up our black ensign al the main, and fire a gun
across the fellow's bows;" and jumping into the
boat, he boarded the stranger, whom we now per
ceived was an outward bound English East Iridia
man. We were so near, that 1 distinctly saw all
his motions. Leaving the crew in the boat, he
boarded the Englishman alone, and meeting her
captain in the gang way, he saluted him very po
litely, and took a turn or two with him upon the
deck, as if inquiring the news. Shortly after, how
ever, he apparently made some disagreeable re
mark, for both stopped, and began to gesticulate
violently, as if their discourse was becoming inter
esting ; and Seymour, drawing his handkerchief
from his pocket, carelessly waved it, byway ot
accenting hi discourse. Instantly the sable banner
of piracy floated at the masthead, and an eighteen
pound shot, traveling across the Englishman's fore
foot, put an end to his opposition, and he began to
execute Seymour's mandates A lot of kegs wete
shortly after passed into our boat, in a manner that
showed that, at the least, they were heavy, and
Seymour, courteously bidding Captain Bull adieu,
pulled aboard.
" Hoist those up carefully my lads," said he.
" What have you here, Captain, Seymour'" I
inquired.
'•Only a lew thousand guineas, Garnet," he re
plied, " which I borrowed from that ship."
" He'll be lucky," said 1, " il he ever gets his
pay."
CHAPTER 11.
One morning, about forty-five days after we left
New York, we made land in theGulfofGninea
Crowding all sails we rapidly approached it, and
were within five or six miles, when a long, black,
suspicious-lookirig schooner, shot out Iroin behind
a small island, a shr.it distance ahead, and without
asking any questions, bore down for us
" Ready-about ready, ready !" hailed Seymour,
with startling quickness, seizing the trumpet. The
helm was put down, and in art instant we wete ori
(he other track, standing out to sea.
"I know her!" ejaculated Seymour—'she i<an
English man of war, and is commanded by one of
the sharpest rascals that everdrew pay and rations
He calls his schooner the " Dare-Devii," and no
name was ever so appropriate, for both master and
vessel. He attacks everything, large and 6mall;
laughs at steel and gunpowder, arid I do riot be
lieve he knows what fear is The world is not
wide enough to hold bo h of us, and come what
may, there will be one rascal less on the seas at
6unset I have swore vengeance against him, and
1 will take it so amply that none shall live to ie
port to the Lords of the Admiralty in what man
lier one of his Majesty's cruisers went to the
devil."
When we were twelve or fifteen miles from the
land, we tacked again, and although the breeze
was a stiff one, set ereiy inch ol canvas and stood
in for the shore. The schooner continued her
course, and standing on opposite lacks, we rapidly
neared each othet. Our porta were closed, and as
we made no use of our guns, the English evidently
supposed that what appeared to be long eighteen 6,
were actually quaker-guns, made of the best of
wood—for show, not use—and that our plan was to
cross their hawse, and run in-shore.
As soon as we were within range, they opened
upon us with a long twenty-four; and, to do them
justice, they tossed their irona with most terrible
exactness ar.d considerable effect; but as her shct
hulled ua, they did not interfere with Seymour's
plan.
Ordering the men to lie down upon deck, to
avoid the Englishman's hre, he oontinned to walk
upon the poop as composedly as if he ware ball
proof; although, as her battery (long-twelves) be
gan to take effect, the shot flew thick aa hail, tear
ing open our bulwaike, and knocking the white
*plic;ets about in every ciueciion As we ap
proached still nearer, her musketry opened upon
us in full volley; yet, although he wns the target
of every shot, he seemed totally unconscious of
danger. With a flushed cheek, and an eye flash
ing fire, he stood proudly erect, anJ delivered his
orders to the tnan-at-lhe-wheel as composedly as if
he were setting a studdin'-sail
When our flying-jib boom was nearly locking
with her, he suddenly shouted, wiih a voice like a
trumpet-call, " St-irboard the helm !" We fell ofl
from the wind, and rising upon a wave, onr heavy
bows struck the fated vessel amidships with a tre
mendous crash. We passed clean over, cutting
completely in two : an unearthly yell arose from a
hundred and fifty brave fellows, as they sunk quick
to the bottom; and when we flew aft to ca'ch a
glimpse of the wreck, nothing was visible save
the pennant at the to' gallan -mast-head, which for
an instant floated upon the surface of the deep, and
was then drawn down after the hapless wretches
who hail so olten shed their blood in its defence !
Having passed the vortex caused by her going
down, the brig was hove-to; as f suppose for the
purpose of picking up the survivors, if there were
any. But such was not Seymour's plan—arid one
poor fellow, who. stunned and strangling, rose to
the surface, clinging to a spar for dear lite, was not
even allowed the miserable privilege of floating
upon it until the sharks of the burning sun of the
Equator should put a period to his agony, but was
deliberately shot by Seymour himself, acting tipon
the stern maxim that " dead men tell no tales I
A deed of so dark a hue was r.erer before perpre
trated under the azure sky, nor on the deep sea,
since the unborn surges slumbered in chaos, and
daikness lay upon the face of the deep.
" Mr. Garnet," said Seymour, recovering his rifle
as it he had been shooting a duck, " fill the main
top-sail, and stand in shore."
Three times I raised the trumpet to my lips to
give the necessary orders, and as often withdrew
it; and finally, being totally unable to coinmmand
either my voice or my feelings, I dashed it down
upon deck, and walked away without a word.
Seymour looked up at me in surprize, and then
deliberately picking up the trumpet, gave the re
qu-si'e commands with his usual composure.—
When we were under way, standing lor the shore,
he ordered the boatswain to call " all hands to
6plice the main-brace, remarking that the toast
should be, " Here's wishingthedare devils a pleas
ant passage to !"
"Garnet," said Seymoui, when we were aboot
three miles from the shore, '* do you see that head
land yonder, in the south-east! It is the northern
cape of the bay which we shall enter, and is now
six'een miles distant. I wish you to observe the
course we take tu fetch it, and then say it this
coast was not cut out lor the express benefit ol the
slave-trade "
We continued our course, steering head on, un
til wi-hin half a mile of the shore, and then hauled
our wind, and put her head due south keeping
parallel to the beach About ten minutes after
ward, the look out, on the fore top-sail yard, sung
ou':
" Breakers ahead ! '
Seymour was standing upon the poop, looking
astern ; he turned short around at this announce
ment, unit hailed .
" Foie-top sail yard there' Two points on the
starboard bow, you lubber, distant two rones."
" Captain Seymour," said I, in surprise, "your
eye-sight is better than mine These bieakeis arc j
not visible from deck "
" I know it," he replied, " l>u* I am ft< well ao j
quninted with every inch of this coast as you ate j
with the pavement of Broadway. 1 cou'J sail a I
line of battle ship thiouyh this channel, in perfect I
safety the daikest night old ocean ever saw, by the
lead alone. Straight as you go, qnar'pr master."
" Rise, no higher," repeated he at the cun.
41 These breakeis," continued Seymour, " ,oe
caused by a reel ol rocks, tunning acros the month
of that bay and sbe'ehing ten miles each way, par
allel to the beach, and distant from it, on <h aver
age, half a mile Inside Ihe reef we have a clear,
sale channel, carying ten fa'hotn water to within a
ship's length of the beach, ami at both ends a safe
entrance. Now all this is for our particular bene
fit ; for, in order to enter that bay a vessel must go
all the distance around; and while a man of war
comes in at one end we can slip out a' the other
If this does not prove that Jemmy Flat loot had a
hand in laying out the coast of Afiica, you may call
me a marine."
" I'retty good reasoning, hiend Seymour," said
I; "you've made it very plain that the Devi! is
chief cook ami hntile wa-her for the slave tiade I
don't wonder it prospers so well, since he is at the
wheel "
We were now inside the rref, a.< 1 sailing along
rapidly, were within a mile of the entrance to the j
bay, when a small canoe shoved ofl from the shore. I
and we were hoarded by one of the most hiJeous- j
ooking black rascals that ever walked on two feet. 1
Running up the side like a monkey, he tumbled
over thegangway, and accos'ed Seymour, who met
him there, as an old friend ; and af er jabbering
away a few minutes in some barbarous lingo, he |
look a bottle of rum which Seymour had ordered
tor him, rolled into his canoe, and run it Inyh and
dry on the beach. He brought himsef to anchor
in the sand, and began to discuss the contents of die
said bottle with an earnestness which plainly show
ed (hat they would not part company until one or
'tother knocked under
" Mr. Garnet," said Seymour, walking ait, " my
good friend there has informed me that there are
two English frigates at anchor in the hay. T mus (
•end them both to sea in twenty minute* alter I
enter. Do you speak Portuguese ?"
" Si, Senhor ," said I, 44 and every other langu
age ; excepting, always, the gibberish of that block
friend of yours "
" Very good," he replied , " I shall report myself ■
to the English as Don So-and-so, (wiih a string of j
titles as long as the main-to'-bowlme.) commander j
of the Brazilian brig of wa; Ach.lie, 31, on aeiuise ;
•nd will pin them a yarn which wit! clear the bay
nt them as soon as they cart tip anchor. 1 have
Brazilian uuifoims for ail the dfficcrg anj myself,
which we will bend now and walk into bay
under Brazilian colors."
We rigged ourselves accordingly, arid mustering
i upon the poop sailed into the harbor with the Bra
zilian ensign at the peak. It was quite small, and
; the English frigates were at anchor near the centre
of it, some di-tance asunder. Gradually shorten
ing sail, we backed our main topail abreast the
Commodore's ship, within about two hundred
yards; and when we had lost headway, I roared
out in Portuguese—(for their edification :)
' Let go ihe starboard anchor!" twisting the n's,
and the o'. and the r's about in every direction.—
We then furled sails, squared the yard by the
lifts and braces, hooked the yard-tackles, howled
our boa's, and manning the captain's barge with
Portuguese, Seymour pulled aboard the English
flag ship. He was received with the usual honors,
and had been on board but a few minutes when
three small Hags were run np at the mizen, and u
gun fired to wake the o'h.er Irigate. Not beintr con
versant with the Engli-h code of signals. I Ji!
not know what to make of this, when an old quarter -
master, who had served under Nelson, perceiving
my ignorance, informed rne that it was. " Hoist in
boats, and prepare to weigh."
The English sliifs were now all alive Boat
after boat was dropped alongside from the guess
warp, and hoisted in, two at a time, (one each
side ) decks cleared tip, and capstans manned At
this moment Seymour came over the gangway of
the flag-ship, and as he shoved off, the Brazilian
flag was sent up at the fore, and saluted with elev en
guns. We returned the salute—British ensign at
the fore, with the same number—and as they,
having weighed anchor, swept past us, making
sail, we gave them three cheers, which were duly
returned.
" Seymour,'' said I, when the tusile Was over,
" what dill you tell that fellow?"
"Oh !" said he, recovering breath after a severe
fit of laughter, " it was not any ol your land-yarns,
slack-twisted stuff: it was an out-and ou'er. When
I first boarded her, I began by asking very coolly,
in Portuguese, what were the names of the frigates,
where they hom, and where bound, and whom I
had the honor of addressing, etc. The crusty old
commodore,having answered my queefionsin as Sew
words as possible, m Spanish, desired to know the
same of me, and asked if I couIJ speak English
But devil the bit of English could I spe-ik ; No
" So intmdez. Engiise, Senor said 1. with a face
a* long as rhe jib-down haul, and then proceeded
to tell him that my mme was " Don So-and so
that my brig was the Brazilian brig of war Athiiie
on a cruise: that we fell in, this morning with A
suspicious looking schooner, mounting eighteen
guns, tinder English colors, and gave her chase ;
but as ghe stood out to sea, and sailed very fast,
we had given over the chase,because we had been
on shoit allowance of water for ten days, and had
only one Jay's allowance left, and dared not stand
out until we find filled ; 'hat 1 came in here for a
supply, and intended to sail the next day, and catch
Ihe slaver it possible, and sling up the rascals at
my yard aim; and added, byway of a clincher,
that I wi.-hed they would not trouble themselves
about her, but leave her forme, as I had a*l nty
heutt on sending her to the bottom.
'' I'hat will do for marines," said the commotion*
to (lis first lieutenant, in English ; " on short allow,
.-trice of water, indeed ! If he had said short allow
ance of courage, he would have eorne nearer tie
truth. He was aftaid the slaver would be a Scotch
pri/e to him, if he meddled with her. He will
take die best of good care not to chase her again
Hit set his heart on "ending them to the bottom, in
deed I—ha ha, ha!" And the old knight laughed
loud and long at rny bravado. Then turning to me,
lie asked in Spanish all about the schooner, when I
saw her, the cou r -e she was steering, when I lost
sight of her. etc , and ended by ordering his fust
lieutenant to iioist in boats, and piepare to weigh,
making signal to the other fiiga'es in do the same.
He then talked about matters and tiling*; a>ked arid
told the news; and when I took leave waited cu
ine to the gangway very politely, expressing In*
sorrow that he had not lime to visit me, but hoped
that a* I should sail to-morrow, we should meet on
lie sea, and perhaps have the pleasure of cap'urirg
the pirate together; adding, wifii a wink to his fust
lieu enani, which nearly capsized my gravity, thai
nothing would gratify him more than to fight in
such valiant company. So much tor so much,"
confirmed Seymour, bursting into a roar of laughter,
in which all hands beattily joined : '■ Hurra for
John Bull!"
Bv the time our mir h had subsided, the English
friga'es were on' ol sight, having doubled the north
ern poir.t nl the bay. Seymour having satisfied
him-elf o( this fact, said to me:
" All funds up author! Mr. Garnet, this bay is
no place tor ns."
After giving the requisite orders in preparation, 1
deaited lo know for what purpose he weighed and
whither we were bound.
" We are going up the river, to be sure, - ' he re
plied. " in order to get our live lumber aboard."
" 1 see no liver," said 1, looking carefully around
the bay
•'1 will show it to you in fifteen minutes." an
swered Seymour ; "so now up anchor, for the
wind is fair, and we've no time to lose."
The anchor was soon at the bows, and sail being
made, we stood for the head of the bay, which, as
I have already said, was quite small—about three
miles in length, and one in width at the mouth
narrowing, of course, toward the heaJ. The land
around it was considerably elevateJ, and densely
covered wuh tall mangroves—and nowhere could
f see the least indication of a river—tbecoMlofthe
bay being of a uniform elevation. We went on,
however, with all sail set—and as we naared the
head of the bay, I observed that the water did not
shoal so much as usual, bul still I eaw nothing of
the river. When about a cable's length from the
beach. Seymour sung out