one on the north by the haven, and the other on the south by the main land, each of them secured by forts. Four days after their arrival, accounts reached Tripoli of the loss of the prize, and all hands on board, except three. It seems that the pirates not being sufficiently skilled in naval tactics and the English mode of rigging, were unable to manage the ship, which was thus left to the mercy of the storm, and was very soon dashed to pieces on a rocky lee shore. The disappointment and rage of the infidels at this loss was very great. So valuable a prize thus suddenly snatched from their grasp, was a calamity which sorely galled these barbarians, and which they knew not how to brook. The galley soon became in an uproar; nothing being heard but the most vile jargon and execrations, and not even Mahomet escaped the lash of these infidels. off, with the exception of a lock which they suffer to grow on the crown of their heads, under the belief that by that Mahomet will pull them into Paradise. Some cut off the whole beard, reserving only two large mus tachios: those, however, who are stricken in years, wear their beards long and cut round. They use turbans made of red wool, and wound up in a piece of cotton five or six yards in length. At their girdles they wear three knives, two large and one small, which are fitted in a silver scabbard about a foot long, adorned with torquoises and other stones, often of very great value. The women are habited almost like the men, only that they have a fine linen cloth on their heads, instead of a turban. The rich often wear five or six pendants in each ear, and bracelets of jewels on their arms. Before they go into the streets to walk, they throw over them a cotton cloak, which completely covers them and hangs down to their feet; they also tie a string of pearls upon their foreheads, and a fine kerchief before their eyes, so that they should not be known as they pass in the streets. They are very particular in beautifying themselves, and not only paint their eye-brows and eyelids black, but also their hair, with burnt antimony. The unfortunate captives were soon after conveyed on shore, and sold without distinction. The mate was purchased by a Jew merchant, who let his slaves to hire by the day to drag stones for repairing the town walls which had been damaged by the late storm, particularly that part which lay next the sea, and which was almost swept away. This employment lasted a considerable time, and proved excessively irksome, as the immense weight of the pieces of rock which he had to drag, encumbered by his chains, were more than his reduced strength could bear; and whenever he attempted to alleviate his sufferings by a temporary rest, he was instantly goaded by the galling lash, to resume his heart-was to convey the produce of the country to market. breaking toil. The repairs of the wall being at length completed, and the Jew merchant having no further employment for him, he was again sold to a native merchant, who was immensely rich. Here he was obliged to carry water, to remove the dust of the place, convey the merchandize to warehouses, and perform all manner of drudgery. At other times, he attended the merchant and his daughter on their frequent excursions into the country, where his occupation was to drive the mule on which the lady rode, seated within a frame-work, drawn round with curtains, and covered with a kind of canopy, and sometimes he attended his young mistress to the mosques, where a service called sala is performed five times a-day; but as none are compelled to attend, there are few, but the most zealous, who resort to it at all times. The men wear next their skin, a large linen frock and drawers, over which is fastened with great gold or silver buttons, a loose coat of cloth or silk, which hangs down almost to the knees. Their sleeves cover only their elbows, so that turning up their shirt sleeves upon them, their arms are almost naked. They shave all their hair As the mate had many opportunities of being abroad, he several times met with some of his shipmates, particularly those who had been sold to the planters or farmers who resided a short distance from the town; and one or more of these he was nearly certain of meeting with on the market-day, as part of their employ On occasions of this kind, it must naturally be supposed, that they lightened their hearts by sympathising one with the other. The mate, by his steady behaviour and attention to business, soon gained the confidence of his master, who frequently required his attendance on him abroad. It happened, on one of these occasions, that the merchants were summoned to a sale of slaves that had formed the crew of a Portuguese polacre, just brought into the harbour. It appeared that the crew of the polacre had made a desperate resistance, which occasioned the death of their captain and half the crew; the remainder of them seemed to be young and healthy men, and therefore brought a good price in the market. The mate's master, and two other merchants, having bought six of the youngest, he was ordered to convey them to the prison, where it was found necessary to lodge them until they had further decided on their purchase, followed on the road by his master and the merchants. Early on the following morning he was ordered to convey the six men to his master's house, and for that purpose waited on the head gaoler, who accompanied him into the prison. On approaching, they found the This exhibition had a deep effect on the minds of the outer gate wide open; and proceeding farther towards lingered long in the most insufferable torments, till a the second gate, the first object which presented itself merciful death released him from the barbarity of the was the body of the under-gaoler, lying dead, and wel- infidels. tering in his blood. Alarmed at the sight, they hastily withdrew to the outer gate, and called loudly for assist-mate of the Washington and his shipmates, and making ance; and having obtained the aid of several officers, up their minds as to the consequences, they resolved to they re-entered the prison, when they soon discovered seek the first opportunity of leaving this abominable that the six men they were in search of, had made their country. They had received orders to attend the folescape. By this time, the news had reached the mer-lowing day at the place of execution, when another chant, who hastened to the prison on foot to make a strict search, but it proved unsuccessful. As, however, none of the vessels or boats were missed from the harbour, it was evident that the runaways were lurking somewhere on shore, and this was soon proved to be the case. On a strict search being made along the coast, they were found on the evening of the third day, hidden among the rocks close to the sea, waiting for an opportunity to seize on the first boat they could find. ? The prisoners having been brought back, they were immediately ordered before the cadi; and after a very short examination, the ring-leader of them was condemned to be executed on the following day. On occa¿sions of this sort, it is usual for all the slaves to be sent to witness the exhibition, in order to deter them from making similar attempts; and on this opportunity, the mate did not find his master backward in sending him, particularly as he was so deeply interested. At the appointed time there was a great concourse of people assembled, and the mate found himself much gratified in thus having an opportunity of meeting with several of his shipmates and countrymen, though they could not but sincerely deplore the melancholy cause which had occasioned this vast assemblage, particularly as they saw the consequences which must inevitably ensue from any unsuccessful attempt on their part to recover their own liberty, should they ever endeavour to put it into practice. The workmen having finished the platform where the unhappy culprit was to suffer the extreme penalty of the law, two large posts, or supporters of wood, and a heavy cross beam were exhibited, bearing some resemblance to a gallows. As soon as the wretched criminal had ascended the platform, he was ordered to climb the ladder placed against one of the posts, with the executioner, who, on his gaining the top, thrust a large iron hook, suspended by a strong chain, into the palm of one of his hands, and by that means hung him to the cross beam. The ladder was then placed on the other side, where the miserable culprit being dragged towards it, had a similar ron hook, fastened to a chain, driven through the sole of one of his feet; and in this inhuman and barbarous manner the poor man was suspended, and consequently wretch was doomed to undergo the same horrible cere. mony. To behold such another revolting exhibition, would have been heart-breaking to them all; but the could not overlook the opportunity which it afforded them of undertaking their own scheme. They accordingly assembled at an earlier hour on the following morning, when, on further consultation, one of them proposed that they should attempt their escape as soon as possible: he informed them, that adjacent to his master's country-house, which was situate five miles from Tripoli, and one from the sea coast, he was constantly employed in gardening, except when sent to Tripoli with the produce of his labour, and that he was well acquainted with a small creek near his master's house, at the top of which were two or three small huts occupied by fishermen, who always moored their boats at night close to the huts, and kept a large dog chained on board, in order to guard them as they slept on shore. He therefore proposed to poison the dog that evening, in order to prevent his giving an alarm. This, at the first view, seemed a very flattering and promising proposal, and all at once agreed to adopt it; but, on further reflection, seven men rushing into an open boat without food, water, or necessaries of any kind, having a vast sea before them, which they must, in all probability, encounter for many days, threw a momentary damp upon their spirits at the impracticability of adopting it. The mate at last suggested, that as that day was the last of August, and the approaching 5th of September being the festival of the prophet Mahomet, for the celebration of which they were then making great preparations, each man should save a certain portion from his allowance of food every day, and deposit it in a secret place. As this feast of the prophet would be a general holiday, there was no doubt but that all classes of people would be absorbed in their religious duties; and it was equally certain, that the fishermen before mentioned, would, on that day, come to Tripoli. To this proposition they readily agreed, and consented to be guided by the mate. They then appointed a place at some distance from the town, and a certain hour for meeting, in order to put their stratagem into execution; and each of them promised, in the interim, to save all the provisions and necessaries which he could, in order to make a general stock. This consultation being over, the execution of | left to guard the boat, might prove a very disagreeable the unfortunate Portuguese seaman commenced. He antagonist; but as it was probable he was acquainted seemed to bear his fate with less resignation than the with the child, he thought it adviseable to take her other, and the executioner was obliged to have recourse with him in his arms, in order to obtain the creature's to compulsion before he submitted to his fate. It was favour. The child, however, was very unwilling to go supposed that these two who suffered, were those who with him, till by repeated assurances of his care, which actually committed the murder of the under-gaoler; were confirmed by several kisses, she remained quiet. but as there was no fair trial, this was only a matter of Thus prepared, he entered the boat first, and made the conjecture. The judges of this arbitrary government child speak to the dog, which rendered him quiet immesentence whom they please; some are punished, whe-diately; he was fastened to a long chain, which the ther guilty or not, as examples to the rest; and when they think it expedient that an example should be made, they select for that purpose those who are the least serviceable to their masters, or with whom their masters are most willing to part. As soon as the miserable victim had ceased struggling, and was released by death from the barbarity of his tormentors, which was not till nearly sunset, the people began to disperse; but the mangled corpse was left to hang until a certain hour the next day, it being the rule that the bodies of those who suffer in this way should be exposed for so many hours, in order to render the punishment the more impressive. The American seamen having shaken hands with great cordiality, now parted full of the pleasing hope of soon quitting this barbarous place, and once more beholding their native land, the land of liberty and civilization; though every hour seemed a month until the happy arrival of the appointed time. On the evening of the 5th of September, they punctually met at the place appointed, and proceeded with all speed to the creek which had previously been mentioned by one of them. Having boldly entered the huts, they found only two old women and a child, the rest having gone to the sala at Tripoli, as they expected. The women were alarmed at their intrusion, and seemingly conscious of their design, fell on their faces to the earth, and prayed for mercy; but the child, who seemed the most courageous, was dexterously making towards the door, till they put a stop to the little one's egress, who would, in all probability, have given an alarm, and thereby defeated their project. The mate held the little girl in his arms, while his companions began to soothe the old women by repeated assurances that no harm should come to them, if they would but keep quiet. Prudence, however, obliged them to secure the old ladies with the aid of cords, at the same time kindly assuring them of their harmless intentions. Having thus prevented any alarm, they began to supply themselves with whatever necessaries lay in their way, and fortunately found some black bread and dried fish, which having seized, they hastened to the boat. mate loosened, and seizing an opportunity, threw him overboard. His companions now joined him, when he desired the child to return to her friends, and release them from their bondage; and having set her on shore for this purpose, they shoved the boat off. The dog swam to shore and joined the child, who remained for some time where they had left her, watching their motions. Indeed this little girl expressed much satis faction at being able to assist them, and by her smiles and manners, seemed to congratulate them on their escape. They, fortunately, found a nine-gallon cask of water in the boat, which proved of considerable service to them. They had to row a considerable distance before a breeze sprung up; but at length meeting with a propitious gale, they spread their sail and shaped their course for Malta, where, with some difficulty, they arrived twelve days after, exceedingly fatigued and exhausted. Here they providentially found a ship bound for England, on board of which they took their passage, the captain readily accepting of their services for the same. Nothing remarkable occurred during the voy age, and in a short time they reached their native country in safety; with the blessings of which they were the more deeply impressed, from the severity of the sufferings which they had so recently endured in another. A Storm. severe WE sailed with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope. We had not quitted port more than a week when we encountered a very gale. It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand. The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean, at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging, so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen, while furling the heavy sails upon the yards. Billow after billow beat over us; and as the rolling waves dashed up their It now occurred to the mate, that the dog which was frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of brave fellows were buried in the waves. Some still remained entangled in the rigging, but man after man was washed away, till only one was left. We could see their fury, I could not help thinking how different the foremast had been swept away, and upwards of fifty noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt. The convoy, too, very heavily laden Indiamen, and transports with troops, were scattered in every direc-him, we could speak to him; but only that Power who tion; but now and then we could distinguish one or two, as they appeared for a moment on the summit of the foaming surge, like dim specks on the verge of the horizon. Night came, and brought its frowning horrors-a pitchy darkness, which seemed almost palpable to the touch, hung with a funereal gloom above, whilst the wild waves lashed by the raging tempest into sparkling foam, served but to render the blackness of the heavens more dense and horrible. At the commencement of the gale the wind was dead against us, and the ship was hoved-to under a close-reefed main-topsail; but towards night the wind veered in our favour, and we flew through the liquid element with astonishing rapidity. The shifting of the gale had produced a still wilder commotion in the waves, which seemed to be struggling for the mastery. Wave after wave came raging after us, and threatening to ingulf the frigate; but like a bird upon the wing, the gallant vessel lifted to the swell, and rushed down the steep abyss, tracking her path with brilliancy and light. Morning at length appeared; the wind had again changed, and the ship was once more hove-to. But if the gale of the preceding night had been furious, it now came with redoubled violence, and the stately vessel which had so lately steered her course in majesty and pride, lay writhing and groaning between the billows, like the soul of the mighty struggling with the last pangs of mortality. Orders were given to furl the foresail, and about sixty of the best seamen sprang aloft to execute the command. Already had they extended themselves upon the yards, and were gathering up the folds of the heavy canvas, when a tremendous sea came, like an Alpine mountain, rushing towards us. As the poor wretch, when the fierce eye of some famished beast of prey is glaring on him, stands fixed and immovable, so did the poor seamen suspend their labours, when they saw the waters of destruction approaching. No human voice could warn them of their danger, no hand could be outstretched to save. There seemed to be a momentary stillness in the storm, and a shuddering instinct crept through every spirit—a horrible dread of they knew not what. Still onward rolled the wave; it struck the vessel on he bows, and threw its portentous burden on the deck. A crash, mingled with a wild, tumultuous yell, ensued; nd when the spray had cleared, it was found that the holds the tempest in his hand, could rescue him from death. There he struggled; blank despair in every feature, as his strong limbs writhed round the shattered mast, and with convulsive agony, he buffeted the waves. Oh, what avail was human strength in such an hour of peril? His hold relaxed-it became weaker-and slowly he settled in his watery grave. I need not describe the effects which such a scene produced upon the mind of a boy not thirteen years of age; and even at this moment, so strong are first impressions, the crash, the yell, and the agonised contortions of that drowning man, are present to my mind in all their horrors. The storm abated, the wreck was cleared, a jurymast was erected, and once more the stately frigate held her way upon the glassy surface of the wave. The first duty was to collect the convoy, and heavy forebodings of their fate were whispered among the crew. One by one, however, they gathered round us, showing manifest indications of the recent storm. There is something peculiarly interesting to a seaman in the assembling of ships after a gale of wind. It occasions a sensation that a landsman cannot feel, unless it is that sort of melancholy satisfaction when friends meet who have surmounted adversity together, but with the apprehension of similar calamity still before them. Several of the convoy were yet undiscovered, and as the evening was closing in, the heavy report of a distant gun came booming along the waters. Another and another followed in rapid succession, and the frigate's course was directed towards the spot, whence the sounds proceeded. The sun went down in glory; its radiance tinged the bosom of the liquid element; but it never rose again on those whose signals of distress we heard. They must have seen his last beams arching the heavens with their golden brightness, and light and hope must have expired to them for ever. The wind opposed our progress, and the swell still rolled against us, though it was now only the heaving of the sea, without its breaking violence. Still we approached nearer to the object of our search, as the noise of the guns was more distinct, and the flashes were plainly visible. At length, about midnight, by the help of glasses, a dismasted vessel was distinguished rolling like a log upon the waters. Every nerve was strained, every effort was made to intimate that assistance was at hand, and the boats were prepared to give succour, or "A small schooner lying-to right a-head, sir," sung out the boatswain from the forecastle. to snatch from destruction. The sight was eagerly bent | the heart at a blow-whiss-a shot flew over our masttowards the spot where the clear horizon was broken by head. the dark object of our good intentions. Suddenly the curve appeared connected; in vain the eye sought the vessel in distress, for nothing obstructed the union of sky and ocean, and "She's gone! she's gone!" was simultaneously exclaimed by officers and men. Yes, she was gone; and the gallant ship that had endured the fury of the tempest, sunk when its wrath was spent: but that tempest had doubtless shaken her stout frame, and rent her joints asunder. Yet it was hard to perish almost within the grasp of safety. Hopes were still entertained that some, if not all, had escaped in the boats. Our own were hoisted out, and having neared the supposed spot, were immediately despatched. The morning dawned in magnificence and splendour; the sun rose in glorious majesty; but his earliest beams glanced on a scattered wreck, that told a tale of death. The boats were actively employed in passing to and fro, but no appearance of a human being could be discerned. The launch was discovered bottom upwards, and another boat broken nearly in two. The truth was soon disclosed, for the name Atlas, on the stern of the launch, informed us, that nearly 200 victims had perished in the deep. How the catastrophe had happened, could only be matter of conjecture. One of our boats fell in with some spars, which were lashed together so as to form a kind of floating raft, and, on turning them over, a scene presented itself that filled every soul with anguish. A young female, apparently about twenty-two, with an infant fastened to her body, had been secured to the timber; perhaps the last sad office of a tender husband, who, in the affectionate solicitude of his heart, had vainly hoped to rescue them from death. They were taken on board the frigate, sewed up in a hammock, and again consigned to that element at once their destruction and their grave. A Slight Mistake. A LARGE American brig, bound from Havannah to Boston, had been captured in this very channel by one of our men-of-war schooners, and carried into Nassau; out of which port, for their own security, the authorities had fitted a small schooner, carrying six guns and twenty-four men. She was commanded by a very gallant fellow-there is no disputing that; and he must needs emulate the conduct of the officer who had made the capture for in a fine clear night, when all the officers were below rummaging in their kits for the killing things they should array themselves in on the morrow, so as to smite the fair of New Providence to Before we could beat to quarters, another sung between our masts. We kept steadily on our course, and as we approached our pigmy antagonist, he bore up. Presently we were alongside of him. "Heave-to," hailed the strange sail, "heave-to, or I'll sink you." "The devil you will, you midge," thought I. The captain took the trumpet-" Schooner, a-hoy!" No answer. "D—n your blood, sir, if you don't let every thing go by the run this instant, I'll fire a broadside. Strike to his Britannic Majesty's sloop, Torch." The poor fellow commanding the schooner had by this time found out his mistake, and immediately came on board; where, instead of being lauded for his gal lantry, I am sorry to say he was roundly rated for mistaking his majesty's cruiser for a Yankee merchantman. Next forenoon we arrived at Nassau. THE IMPRESS. Hark! how the church bells with a sudden peal Yet there was one who died He, ocean deep, Now lies at rest. Be thou her comforter, She gaz'd upon her children, and beheld |