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Oft in the Stilly Night.
BY TOM MOORS.
Oft In the stilly night
'Ere slumber's chain has bound me,
Fond Memory brings the light
Of other days around me
The smiles, the tears
Of boyhood's years,
The words ol love then spoken ;
The eyes that shone,
Now dimmed and gone,
The cheerful hearts now broken I
Thus In the stilly night
'Ere slumber's chain has bound me,
Bad Memory brings the light
Of other days around me.
When I remember all
The friends so linked together,
I've seen around me fall
Like leaves In wintry weather,
I feel like one
Who treads alone
Borne banquet-hall deserted,
Whose lights are fled,
' Whose garlands dead,
And all but he departed I
Thus In the stilly night
'Ere slumber's chain has bound me,
Sad Memory brings the light
Of other days around me.
PERCIVAL'S ADVENTURES.
A. THUE STOllY
IN the month of October, 1800, Mr. Ed
ward Porcival set sail from Now York
In tbo good slilp Speedwell, bound for Cal
cutta. Young Porcival was only a passen
ger. His father was a wealthy New York
merchant, engaged in the shipping busi
ness, and the Speedwell was one of his
vessels.
Edward Porcival's visit to the East In
dies was entirely a business ono, and he
expected to return to his native country in
a year at the furthest. His mother was
very much opposed to his undertaking the
voyage, for he was an only son, and she
loved him as only a mother can love; but
Mr. Percival, senior, overruled her objec
tions, by assuring her that there was no
danger, and that if his son did not under
take the voyage, it would bo a serious pe
cuniary loss to the family.
Edward's position on board was a very
agreeable one; as son of the owner, he was
treated with great politeness and considera
tion by the captain and mate, everything
being done to make . him comfortable as
possible.
Everything seemed to conspire to render
his voyage an agreeable one, and after a
comparatively speaking short passago, the
ship ontered the nay of Bengal. Here,
however, a change took place, the wind be
came contrary, and storms arose. The
Speedwell was a stout ship, and weathered
these storms without Injury. Tho only
misfortune that happened them was to run
abort of water. Tho crew was put on al
lowancu,but tho winds remaining contrary,
the captain gave it as his opinion that they
had bettor muko for some of tho islands
studding tho bay, aud obtain a supply of
this primo necessity. The other officers of
the ship agreed with this advice, and it was
determined to alter the course of the vessel,
and make for tho nearest islands.
Tho captain took an observation, and
found that they were five degrees nort h lat
itude,aud eighty-five degrees oast longitude.
On marking their place on the chart, they
discovered they were about an equal dis
tance from Ceylon aud tho Nioobar Rands.
The wind, however, was more fuvorablo
to make tho latter thun Iho former, and to
the Nicobar Inlands they determined to
leer.
On tho day that they came to this decis
ion, Mr. Edward Percival and captain In
graham stood on the dock together.
" Captain," said Edward, " can you tell
me why so many vessels nro lost in tho
Bay of Bengal? The navigation is not dan
gerous, and yet wo continually see this an
nouncement in the mnrino news of news
papers." "I wish I could answer the question, Mr.
Porcival," replied the captain; "it is one
of the greatest mysteries of modern times
the number of vessels that are lost In
this bay is enormous, and strange to say
that there is not the slightest trace ever
found of the missing ships. They enter
the Bay and then they are heard of no
more."
"It is strange indued," said Edward, in
a musing tone; "one would suppose that
if they were shipwrecked by storms or
squalls, some portion of the wrecks would
be discovered, but I understand you to say
that nothing of this kind is ever found?"
"Nothing. They disappear as complete
ly as if they sunk to the bottom of the
sea."
The conversation was carried on some
little time longer, but the only conclusion
that could be arrived at was, that it was a
mystery, the solution of which had not yet
been discovered. Little did Edward Perci
val imagine, at the time ho held this inter
view, that he it was who was destined to
discover the key to the enigma.
This conversation states a positive fact.
Many a vessel has been known to have en
tered the bay, which has never made her
appearance at the port for which she clear
ed. Insurances for such vessels have boon
duly paid, and relatives have mourned
those who formed tho crews, as " lost at
sea," and the fate of both vessq and crew
remained a mystery, previous tJj$07.
In a day or two the Speedwell sighted
the Nicobar Islands, a group which lie
south-east of the Andaman Isles, between
the Andamuns and Sumatra. The same
day tho vessel put into Nungkawii, a har
bor in the island of Trinkut, one of the
Nicobar group.
Canoes filled with natives immediately
surrounded the Speedwell, and the captain
made known what ho required. Measures
were at once 'taken to get a supply of water;
in tho meantimo a brisk trodo was institu
ted between tho natives and crew.. They
brought cocoa-nuts, poultry and vegetables,
to exchange against cloth, knives, tobacco,
and spirits, and they conducted thomsolves
with the utmost propriety.
Edward Percival was a koon sportsman,
and bad brought with him from home sev
eral rilles and plenty of ammunition, in
tending to do some shooting in the jungles
of India. As the Spcodwcll would be de
layed some three or four days, he told the
captain that ho would liko to land in tho
island for a day or two's shooting. The
captain tried to persuade him against such
a proceeding, stating that they knew
nothing whatever of these natives, aud
doubted whether it would bo safe. Tho
inhabitants of these islands belong to the
Mayluy race, and it is well known that such
poople are for tho most purt treacherous.
Edward, however, pointed to tho exem
plary manner in which the natives who had
visited the ship were conducting them
selves, and reiterated his intention. The
captain yielded, and three of the crew were
ordered to accompany him, which they
did with the greatest alacrity; it being a
pleasing change from the monotony of llfo
on board ship.
Edward's intention was communicated
to Achoeup, the chief of the island, through
one of the natives who could speuk English,
and he returned on board with a cordial
Invitation from Acheeup to visit the shore,
promising him some splendid sport.
A boat was launched, and young Perci
val aud his companions proceeded to the
village, which was pleasantly situated, ex
tending along the shores of tho bay, the
houses largo, and built on piles, with cocoa
nuts and palm-trees, and thick jungle in
the rear. On the boach was a large num
ber of war canoes.
On landing, Edward was taken first to
tho house of tho chief, Acheeup. The
young American, on seeing this person, be
gan to repent of his course on coining
ashore, for a more hideous or savage-looking
man ho had never scon. IIu was a
rough, rude specimen of a brute, with ele
phantiasis on both legs and feet. Ho re
ceived Edward, however, politely, and
there was nothing In his manner that indi
cated treachery.
Acheeup deputed two of tho natives to
accompany Edward and his party on their
hunting expedition. There was ono cir
cumstance that gave the young American
great uneasiness, and that was tho fact
that tho chiefs hut contained a quantity of
ship's furniture and ship's belongings.
Acheeup noticed Edward's eyes resting on
these things, and informed him, through
tho interpreter, that they came from off a
deserted vessel that had been Rtranded on
the coast.
The explanation satisfied young Percival,
and he and his party started for the jungle.
He soon became separated from his com
panions, and supposed that, tired with
their sport, they hud returned to the vil
lage. Game abounded, and Edward Percival
toward the middle of the' day, began to get
tired. He explained to tho two natives his
desire to return to tho ship. They showed
by signs that they understood him, and
started, as he supposed, in tho direction of
the coast.
By-and-by they left the junglo, and en
tered a kind of clearing, which was solely
planted with immense trees, the tops of
which were only green, tho lower branches
being as dostitnto of verdure as if bared
by the severest winter weather.
They had scarcely set foot in this clearing
when, to Edward's extreme surprise, he
saw thd natives scramble like cats up tho
trunk of ono of the trees. On glancing
around to find some causo for this gymnas
tic proceeding, the young American was
suddenly confronted by an immense black
bear, who with a torriflo roar, sprang on
the young man.
Edward had not time to use his rifle, but
throwing it on the ground.he drew his hunt
ing knife, and, grasping the monster by
the throat as it tried to hug him, he drove
it up to tho hilt in his flank. Ho must have
reached the beast's heart, for it immediate
ly fell backward dead. '
Young Percival was naturally much
elated with his achievement, and bent his
steps toward tho village, in company with
tho natives, in tho host possible spirits.
Ho was soon, however, destined to real
ize that he had greater dangers to face than
a wild beast, for he had scarcely sot his
foot in the village, when he was seized by
a party of natives and conveyed to a hut, a
prisoner, where he found his three compan
ions also in custody.
Their prison consisted of a large room in
Acheeup'B house, overlooking a kind of
square, which was used for public ceremo
nies. A guard was placed over them, and
they were loft to guess the fate in reserve
for them.
Sailors are not tho most refined men in
the world, nor is their sense of justice so
cially acute. Of course, we refer to the
lowest class, for no finer set of men, than
the educated and liberal, open hearted
sailor can be found. They had not been
alone five minutes, when tho threo men
who had accompanied Edward Porcival
witli such willingness, attacked hint as
being the causo of their misfortune. Had
it not been for his desiro "to go a-shootin'
they'd a bin safe aboard ship this blessed
minute, in stead of boin' in the clutches of
these savages."
The young Amorioan dufondod himself
as well as ho could, trying to show them
how unjustly they accused him; but it was
of no uso, nothing could persuade them
that they were not very ill used.
Two days passed away without any inci
dent occurring, when one morning several
natives entered, and taking one of the men,
they led him into the square. His compan
ions ran to the opening serving for win
dows, curious to know what they wen go
ing to do with him. Their doubts were
soon at rest, for he was killed before their
eyes. We must draw a veil ovor tho after
proceedings of the savages, as they are too
horrible to be told.
All doubt as to the fate reserved for them
was at an end for the poor captives, for
they felt assured that, sooner or later, they
would share the same fate.
Two days later, another of tho sailors
was led out, and the samo sccue re-enacted,
the horrible orgies being conducted as
before under their very eyos.
Edward Percival gave .up all hope ufter
this. Hero, then was tho explanation of
" Lost in the Bay of Bengal. " Tho Nico
bar Islands wero nests of assassins mid
pirates, and all vessels visiting them weie
destroyed and tho crews murdered.
The next day aniplo und horrible proof
of this was made manifest to Edward und
his surviving comrade, for on glancing
through tho opening into tho square, they
saw Captain Ingraham's body and thoso of
some of tho crow, subjected to the same
hellish treatment they had seen their two
comrades suffer. '
Tho orgies attendant ou disposing of the
crew of the Speedwell, seemed to . satisfy
the savages for a time, for two weeks
elapsed before any thing further was done.
At last, one morning, the third nnd last
sailor was fetched away. Percival would
not look at thcNe horrors any more, but
retired to tho furthest end of tho apart
ment. His turn would come next. It was dread
ful to die thus, in tho morning of his life,
but there was no hope for him. Ho tried
to resign himself to his fato ; when sud
denly the magio word "oscapo" was
whispered in his ear. '
It was strange; but until that moment,
the idea of effecting his escape never enter
ed his mind. He had in fact, beon so stun
ned by tho horror of his situation, that a
kind of torpor had taken possesion of him.
Now, however, when his lifo could be
counted by minutes, ho awakened from his
stupor, and determined, at all events, to
make tho attempt. He could die but once
and ono way was as good as the other.
It was true, when he reflected on the
matter, he could not see how an escape fom
the clutches of the savages would help him.
Ho could only take to the jungle, where he
would, in all probability, die from hunger
or fall a prey to wild beasts; but anything
was better than the fate in reserve for him.
Ho quickly made up his mind as to his
course of proceeding. His guard consisted
of four men, armed with ship's cutlasses,
doubtless stolen fsom some of the unfortun
ate vessels which fell into their clutches.
At night, three of these guards would
sleep, while the fourth kept watch.
The night following the immolation of
the last of his comrades, when threo of his
guard wero asleep, he suddenly seized tho
only sentinel awake, unawares. Ho snatch
ed the cutlass from his grasp, and with ono
blow cleft his skull in twain, and then,
leaping over the bodies of the others, he
made for the junglo before they had timo
even to rise to their feet.
It was quite dark, but ho know in which
direction the junglo lay, and the desperate
crisis of his fate seemed to give him wings,
for he flew rather than ran to the friendly
bush.
Ho reached it in safety, and after much
exploration, ho found a species of cave, in
which he was secure from the attacks of
wild beasts.
Edward Percival must ultimately have
died of hunger, for he had no means to ob
tain food, and the cocoa-nut trees were
in too exposed a situation for him to pro
cure their fiuit; but the very next day
his oars were gladdened by the sound of a
cannon shot in tho direction of tho bay.
He ventured from his hiding-place, and
found the village dosortod of its inhabitants.
His eyes wore further gladdened by the
sight of a considerable body of seamen and
mariners, under tho command of Captains
Bedniglleld and Edye, of II. M. ships, the
Wasp and Satellite.
It seems that information had reached
Pcnntig of tho fact that vessels, stopping
at tho Nicobar Islands, were pillaged and
the crows murdered; and the two British
war steamers were sent to inquire into the
matter.
Edward Percival told his story, and it
was determined to take swift vongeanco
on tho wretches. The invaders marched
into the villages and found fearful confir
mation of all previous suspicions as to the
character and habits of the Nioobarlans.
In the houses were largo quantities of
ship's gear, sailors' chests, teol-boxes,
sofas, cushions, fittings of ships, nautical
instruments, and arms.
The village was then set on fire and burn
ed, together with the war-canoes on the
beach. Tho ships then visited other
islands of the group, and every where found
confirmation of the samo horrible story.
In some of the houses they found books,
with the owners names written In them.
In tho report aftewards made by the
captains of this expedition, tlioy gave a
long list of those books, together with tho
thousands of other articles discovered. It
was found that a system must have been
carried on for many years a i system of
uonuerato piracy by which ships having
been inveigled luto harbors of tho island,
had been seized, tho men murdered, tho
women reserved for a worse fate, and tho
ships themselves taken outside aud scuttled,
on the princtplo of dead men telling no
talus.
A general and severe punishment was
inflicted upon the Islanders, us a return for
their past atrocities mid as a warning fur
.tho future. It was also determined, for
the safety of lifo and commerce, that the
Nicobar Islands should lie Included in tho
regular crusing ground of one or inoro ships
of war. It is even a question whether, ' in
the interest of humaity at large, places
which are capable of being mado nests off
such deli'stulile pirates, should not be an
nexed and governed by some power capablo
of keeping thum down.
Edward Percival reached Calcutta iin
safety, transacted his business there, and"
returned in due time to his home in the
United States. It was from his lips that,
the writer of this account received the par
ticulars of tiiis true nlory.
How
Savauuah Detective Spotted
Thief.
The Savannah " Ntwa" of the 14th says:
On Monday last Lieut. William Wrajs,
chief of the detective force, had a dispatch
placed in his hands notifying him that on
John O'Connor, a clerk, who had robbed
his employers in Scranton, Pa., of $10,000
had absconded aud was supposed to bo- on
his way south. Tho detective immediately
took such steps as were necessary to arrest
the thief should he come to this city,
On yesterday, while scanning oven the
passengers on tho deck of the steamship
Magnolia, from Now York, which wasjust
making fast to her wharf, he discovered a
party who answered to the description of
O'Connor. Bofore the gang-plank was
put ashore Lieut. Wray stepped: aboard
the vessel, and ascended to tho upper deck,
where the " spotted" party, sitting with all
tho ease of one' who bad ten thousand dol
lars above expenses, tapped him on. the leg
with his cane, informing him that .he wish
ed to seo him.
Once taken aside, O'Connor gave up the
checks to his baggage, merely requesting
that he' would be allowed to remain on
board tho ship until tho crowd which was
ou the wharf hud dispersed, which request
was granted; and after waiting a short
timo he was taken in a carriage to the po
lice barracks.
Here ho was questioned and-told to open
a traveling canvas bag which ho had kept
in hand during all this time, and on turn
ing out its contents, $0,000 was found sew.
ed up in a pair of pantaloons, and also a
pair of false whiskers and moustache. In
reply to a question, ho stated that he had
spent the balanco of the money.
But an examination of his pocket-book
disclosed 884, nnd on a farther search $87
was found on his person, making a total of
$9,071 out of the $10,000 which he had
stolen. O'Connor is a yonng man of small
stature, and of quite prepossessing appear
ance, and was vory neatly and genteely
dressed at the time of his arrest. Ha will
be detained to await a requisition from the
Governor of Pennsylvania. '
A Conscientious t'rlmluuL
The Bastop, La., Conservative says:
The shoriff was very much astonished the
other morning when a gontloman walked
into tho court room,, stepped up behind
him, tapped him on the shoulder and told
him he was ready to-be arrested again.
A recognition f the man wus accom
panied by a smile trn the part of the sheriff;
which seemed to indicate at once the eutiro
return of all his confidence in human
nature. As sooti as the sheriff "rallied,"
however, he went dwu into the depths of
his inside coat pocket and brought forth a
writ of arrest and executed it under tho
eye of the court, the nccuBed having placed
himself in readiness as aforesaid.
It will bo remembered that this is the
same man who a short timo ago was in
confinement In the parish jail, and who,
upon being allowed a good many privileges,
locked the sheriff in and went to his home
in Arkansas. Upon his departure though,
he left the sheriff a note, stating to him
that he need not feel any responsibility on
account of his escape, as he would return
when the court met; and ho has kept his
word. He is indicted for murder.
t2T A short time since a Sun Francisco
Chinaman, who hud been sick with typhoid
fever for two weeks, suddenly, to all ap
pearances, died. Tho company to . which
ho belonged sent a man to his residence
on Jackson street, mid he on his return re
ceived a permit to muko a cotlln for tho
dead man. Ho was to ruculvo $33 for his
trouble. Home of tho deceased man's
friends, however, nut thinking ho was really
doad, sent for a Chinese doctor. The
medical man soon eumo, and in accordance
with the custom of the country, heated an
irou poker to a whito heat and burnt the,
supposed dead mau on tho forehead and
eyebrows; ho ulsostubbud him in various
portions of the body. This had tho effect
of arousing tho kick man, who had only
been in a trance. There is a coffin for sale
at a very cheap figure, ,