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'r'yv_o DOLLA'RS PER "ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
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Yo In m e XXIV.
"From (lie (Mt. Vernon) Denzacratz°c‘b’armer.
THE PIRAT E.
AND HIS INTENDED BRIDE.
Coritributeeach your mite
'1‘hat‘no_ia_fragmeni of history he lost.-
On the eastern shore of the river and in-
let, which form the- crooked entrance to the
harbor of Norwalk, Conn. is still to be seen
thecellar, and ruins, of and old house,“'hlCh
was built immediately after the termination,
of that war, which first brought the blessings,
of peace, rad liberty, to the people -of the U.
J,-P;;3,tes. At the time our tale commences, it
."?1S inh_abi.‘,_‘d by a respectable man, by the
time of Ellson, who owned ii small vessel,
‘it:-E followed the coasting trade to obtain an
if?‘-‘lest livelihood. His family consisted only
olzans. wife, and oneson of ten, by the name of
-Her_:9 , who even at this early age, showed
2. free «and well balanced mind, and firmness
iofnerve, often looked for, and found not, in
thosdlof riper years; and whic_h, was daily
strengthened, by intercourse with the mode
of life, which was presented to him, when
permitted to accompany his father, on his
frequent voyages. Yet fifteen summers had
scarcely mirrowed their passing shades, o’er
the radiance of his fair brow,‘ ere he had,
not only-‘a correct knowledge of thc marin-
ers coinpass, and the science of its use, but
also sufficient information of the sound, and
the whole eastern and Southern coast, to en-
able him to relieve his father from much
anxiety care and watching. Young Ellson
possessed in addition to a fertile imagination,
a refined taste for intellectual pursuits, and a
mind, peculiarly well fitted for deep thought
and thorough research. and actuated by these
impulses he rested not untill he obtained the
consent of his mother, and through their tini-
tcd influences, the reluctant assent of the
father, for him to prosecute his studies more
devotedly, at the flourishing college in New
H-aven,—where he took tip his abode in the
fall of the year eghteen hundred eight, at the
age of eighteen. Among the many fellow-
students that were soon eager to extend the
willing hand of fellowship to young Ellson,
was Emmett Hamilton, possessed in an em-
inentidegree the most prominet traits of south-
ern character, in addition to a mind of much
force, and high acquirements, were combined
a manly beauty of person, and a chivalrous
grace exhibited itselfin all the actions,which
characterized his noble demeanor, he was
frank brave and confiding and had imbibed
none of the low deceits too common in the
yworl-1, but having been unfortunately left an
orphan‘ at the early_age”oT fourteeri,‘wi'th al;
most unlimited wealth at his copimand, he
had grown to the statue of manhood, with his
wishes uncontroled, and the dark passions of
his nature unsubdued: and under these cir-
cumstances,it is not surprising, that he should
have become proud, wilful, and unforgiving.
Differently as were the minds, of Hamilton
and Ellson. constituted, yet were they friends
I and warmly devoted to each other for a time,
many long months aye years did all their
pleasures and fears, their difficulties and de-
lights mingle, and flow gently forward, in
the ever inviting stream of mutual sympa-
thy: their course was onward,'and as they
prosecuted their studies, they were looked up
to by their fellow students, as ifthey had, not
only outstripped them in the pursuit of learn-
ing, but had indeed overcome all obstacles
in the rugged path of science, and perched
themselves upon the top of the pinacle of
knowledge. Such‘was the enviable situation
of the two friends, when a cloud like the
darkness of night, shook its raven wing o’er
the sun-lit path of their friendship: woman
- came and with her,—love; entering both
their hearts,and severing the band,that bound
them together.
Near what then constituted the northern
limits of the city, was situated an old man-
sion, of gothic construction, and antiquated
appearance; its possessor was an English-
man, by the name of Clifton, who it was gen-
erally supposed, had forfeited the favor due
him from his own country, and fled to the U.
States, bringing with him his only child, a
' daughter of_six,and a faithful male domestic;
these composed his whole family, having
lost his wife, immediately after the birth of
his‘ child. He came to New Haven, and
there found a widowed sister, who had left
England with her husband, some years be-
fore, he having died, and left her pennyless,
to obtaina living in any way, thatshould pre-
sent itself, 55 which, she had managed to do in
acomfortable manner, for a number ofyears,
by boarding a few of the students, connected
with Yale College. The “ rich old English-
man” as he‘ _was commonly called by the cit-
izens of the city,-‘constructed the old mansion
immediately after "his arrival, where he lived
with his daughter, almost ‘entirely secluded,
from any intercourse with the world, except
what he obtained from his frequent rides, in
his carriage, and seldom visiting even his
sister : he was very passio_na3,e,§pe1.'ulent and
excentric in all his‘ variot1‘s'i1‘t':'ii‘ons;,tind could
scarcely treat any_,p_né{_tvith the common
1; ’peg_:t due-tnein, excepting his dauther, on
he doated with all a father’s fondness,
hi§"'\vli‘Qlg source of happiness seemed con-
centrated in her, who was all that remained
to him on earth, and who was in truth one of
the sweetest flowers, that ever bloomed in
the g§den’__of_pj_i_'ental love, and having now
arriiy’, fig.flji:e“interesting age of seventeen,
appiiafid truly—- _
' " "A gem of purest ray serene."
Adalirie Clifton was now just entering the
first summer ofher existence,-—ifnot striking-
ly beautiful,.was yet fair as the snow drop,a
asinodesly striking from observation. The
admirable symmetry of her sylph like figure,
rendered still more endearing, by the deep
and calm expression of her mild black eye,
. -_,-and’ which was accompanied by the gentle
.heai'fings of her snowy bosom, when her 79*
fined sensibilities were awakened, rcvea-led
herself, abeing. pure as the sinless ones of
paradise :—Sucii was the person who was
destined, to arrest the steady flow of friend-
ship, between the, hitherto kindred hearts of
Ellson and Hamilton.
Ellson had commenced hoarding at the
house of Mrs. Somers, (the widowed aunt of
Adaline) immediately after his arrival in the
city, and had br-come intimately acquainted
with the holy thoughts, and ti-nileraffections,
ofthe pure hearted girl during her frequent
visits, at the house of her kind aunt, which
was daily ‘ripening into an intense devotion.
strong even as death itself. Nor was the fair
Adaline less interested, in the character and
devotion ot her gifted admirer,sufliciently ac-
quainted with the deceits of the world, to
guard herself from many of its evils, tempta-
tions, and consequent disappointnients, she
quickly recognizcd in the manly person, and
generous disposition of Henry Ellson. one to
whom she could confide the chastened affec-
tions, which had long been pentup in her de-
voted bosom, and love soon. wove, its golden
thread, around the dream of their first pas-
sion, ’till every vibration of their willing
he-arts beat in unison. Hamilton, who fre-
quently visited Ellson at his boarding house,
there too saw the biiglit and beautiful Ada-
line, and became deeply enamored, with the
holy innocence that sat enthroiied on her
brow, and the rich developments of her pen-
etrating riiind, which read his heart, by the
same glance that won its affections; and he
resolved to leave no means untried, to gain,
if not the esteem and love of/"L-27'sel._f--at least
the confidence, and a freedom of intercourse
with her secludedfatlier, but even in this he
was unsuccessful, and found the various
means he used, nearly unavailing, until fa-
vored by the good fortune, arising from a
circumstance, with which the reader shall be
made acquainted.-—Mr. Clifton was in the.
daily habit, of taking a short ride about the
city, in his carriage, sometimes ac'c‘om'pani«_-d
by his daughter and servant, and often with
out either, taking the rnanagernent of his
spririted horses, in his own hands; it was on
one of these _OCC:lSiOt)S, when riding alone
through one ofthe broad streets, which was
skirted on either side by a row of stately
Elms, that a large limh,whicli had previous-
ly been partially broken in some thun-
der gust, became detached from the main
trunk, and fell with aloud crash into the
the road, immediately at the side of the car-
carriage, from which the horses took fright,
the lines parted, and they became unman-
ageable, running with the speed of despera-
tion, lowards the crowded streets below,
when they arrested the attention of Hamil-
ton, who chanced to be passing, and spring-
ing forward, seized upon the bridle of the
nearinost horse, and with one bound leaped
upon his back, to avoid being trampled un-
der their feet, and by the aid of the check
reigns, and the soothing tones of his voice,
so far calmed their fears as to stop them,
’ere the carriage had become in contact with
any thing, to injure it seriously. On the
recovery of Mr. Clifton, who was rendered
for a time unable to move, and almostspeech-
less with terror, be expressed his thankful-
ness in his deliverer, in tea rs &: gesticulations;
and Hamilton pursuing the advantage, with
which fortune had so well favored him,quick-
ly secured in a temporary manner the few
fractures the harness had received, and tak-
ing :1 seat in the carriage beside the old gen-
tleman, drove ihe horses safely to his own
door, resigning the lines to the hands of the
Servant, who appeared in waiting. This
occurrence seemed to melt afresh the foun-
tain of friendly feeling, which had long
been congealed within the heart of the old
man, and although but one perceived its ini-
mediafe infl_uence; yet in its onward flow,it
soon extended. to many around him—and
from this time forward, he seemed to derive
a new enjoyment, from the society, and
friendship ofothers; he could'_not rest satisfied
a day without the usual visit from his pre-
server, in the person of Hamilton, on whom
he bestowed favors without number. and
who, for reasons well known to the reader,
spared no time or pains, nor left no opportu-
nity unimproved, to ingratiate himselfto the
good will and wishes ofthe old man, and he
succeeded beyond his warmest expectations:
and often was the wide halls and richly fur-
nished parlors of the old mansion, thrown
open to be filled by the surrounding neighbors,
a goodly portion ofwhom were young men,at-
attracted there by the lovliness of the daugh.
ter, and the increasing hospitality, and hilar-
ity of Mr. Clifton. In these circles, Ham-
ilton always performed a conspicuous part,
executing the wishes of his host even before
they were uttered, andthe old gentleman wit-
nessing his attachment for his daughter
with a smile of satisfaction, had even ac-
knowledged the pleasure ’twould give him,
to call him his son. But he was far from
being so successful, in his attempts to \vin
the love, or even to gain the esteem of Ada-
line, and the fact bore evidr-.nce of the most
convincing nature, that the first love of wo-
man when placedupon an object worthy of
its endearing regards, it is as true and per-
petual as the ‘ needle to the pole.’ Hamil-
ton saw, admired, loved, and resolved to win,
and ‘was then those fiery passions, which
had taken deep root, and been long fostered
by the sunny skies of the. south, shown forth
with their fearful lustre, and although he
was ever treated with firm respect, by the
object of his thoughts, and importunities. yet
finding all his various efiorts to win the love
of Adaline, from her devotion to the person
of Ellson unsuccessfulfjand attributing his
failure to the true cause, be resolved upon
the dark, andfiendish design. to firmly fix
the arrow of death. in that bosom, on which
he had often reclined, in the security of
friendship; and viewing all the actions of
Ellson, with the green eye of jealousy, he
soon ’w‘roujgl-it h-imaelf -into a spirit, to con-
front-h~im, a'rid‘demand restitution to“ be made,
OFFICE WEST SI.DE,THE BRIDGE--OVER I-1OYT"S srronig,
NORWALK, CT. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1841.
for an imagined wrong, Ellson freely con-
tributing the required explanation, only fed
the foul feelings of his heart, into the belief,
that he had actually experienced a wrong
from the hands of his friend, and achallenge
was the immediate consequence. Ellson for
1 time entir'ely unfitted for calm reflcction,
by the strange conduct of Hamilton, return-
ed an answer of acqiiiescence by the bearer
of the challenge, although his conscience
soon upbraided him for so doing, but en-
trusting the subject to the care of his room-
mate, he indulged in the delusive hope,-that
all would be amicably adjusted, without even“
the intent to shed blood. Not so with Ham-
ilton, he had chosen for a second, one who al-
‘ready had thecrimsen stain of the best life
blood ofan amible young man on his hands:
and through his influence,the arrangements
for an irnrnediate meeting ofthe two friends
were effected. The appoiiited m_or_n_ing camefi
and'bro’ke upon them, as dark and gloomy
the deed which it was to witness’; at the ap-
pointed hour the two unhappy young men,
repaired to the ground previously designated,
accompanied, each by his attendant second.
The appearance of Hamilton was like the
guilty criminal led forth to execution, and
although there was a fiendish expression rev-
eling in his eye, yet as .he met face to face
and witnessed the coolness, and deliberate
firmness, in the manner of Ellson, which
always characterises true bravery, he trem-
led in every limbfrom remorse ofconscience.
for the act he was about to perpetrate. The
distance was measured, and the weapons of
destruction put into their hands, and at the
given signal as Ellson saw the hand of his
former friend, raised against him, be dis-
charged his pistol in the air;—-but the lead-
en messenger from that of his antagonist,/dL
rected by the practised hand of an accom-
plished duellist, sped its unerring way to his
hosom, and he fell bleeding into the arms
of an number of his friends, who had "just
reached the ground, but too late to stop the
result of the unhappy mei=tin_9,'; a carriage
was immediately procured, and he was con-
veyed insensiblcto his lodgings.
" * "' At this period of our story,
commenced, what is at the present day c:il-
led the “last war” or, the war of ‘eighteen
twelve :’ and the notes of busy preparations
were heard at the early dawn of day, and
came to the ears on the wings of the whis-
pering zephyrs’ of the evening, like the sol-
emn tones of a distant bell, tolling for a peo-
le’s dissolution. Many of the students of
‘Yale’ fled to their distant homes, some as
they imagined to secure the uninterrupted
safety of their own persons, and others burn-
ing with an ardent desire, to participate in
theglorics of the coming struggle: ofthis
latter class was Hamilton who, after taking
an unwilling leave of Mr. Clifton and daugh-
ter, repaired to his home in the south, and
through the influence of an uncle who was
an ofiicer in the navy, he was addmitted as
midshipman aboard a goverment vessel than
about to leave the harbour of Norfolk.
We again return to Ellson who we left
dangerously wounded at the house of Jlfrs
Somers,‘ his injury it was first supposed
would prove fatal, but by the extraction of
the ball which had not penetrated deeply,
his situation soon assiiined a more favorable
aspect. The evident grief of Adaline upon
hearing of his condition, wasthe first intima-
tion that hcr father received, that she loved
and was beloved by another save Hamilton.
The violent anger and storming rage of the
old man was unbounded, and betokened him
almost a maniac,——-that his only daughter
should have the iniprudence, and audacity,
to form an attachment unheknown, and un-
sanctioned by himself, was as unexpected as
it was in his opinion supprisingly ‘strange
and inexcusable; and with these feelings,
he delayed not to inform her in the most au-
thoritive inanner, that he had pledged her
hand by the most solemn, yet willing prom-
ises to Hamilton, and that a refusal on her
part to comply in the advancmcnts of his
plans, would be as impossible as it was ab-
surd. But with all his positive commands,
solicitations and entreaties, he failed in di-
verting for a moment the heart of Adaline
from its first choice; and no sooner was the
recovery of Ellson matured, under the favor-
able auspices, ofa firm constitution—and the
unlimited power of a P/1.3/sicitm’s influence
in the daily visits of Adaline, then their
plans were formed, and perfected, under the
guidance of aunt Somers, whose anxiety for
their welfare, was only equaled. by her
goodness of heart, and kindness towards
them,——and arrangements were made for
their union when the two great nations
qnility, be again restored to the land of thé
free.
The great inducments which had been
offered by our government, at the very com-
mencment of the war, for piivateering was
not lost sight of by the enterprising people
of the ‘beautiful city of Elms.’ Immediate
means were obtained. and a suitable corvette
was built, and launched, with an alacrity,
that surprised the most energetic : a compa-
ny of well adapted young men were speedily
formed, actuated by the two fold motive, of
gain, and athirsting desire to indulge the
spirit of adventure, which has ever found a
resting place in the bosoms and exhibited it-
sel.‘ in the thoughts and actions of all who
claim the honorable appellation of‘ Yankee.’
Among the increasing number ofthose. who
willingly devoted their money, time and in-
fluence to the organization of their company,
and to the building and fitting out of their
vessel, the name of Henry Ellson stood con-
spicuous;-his manly department united with
the urbanity and kindness of-‘bis inariners,
were little less esteemed, than his thorough
nauticle knowledge, andwhen the time came
for choosing from theirnuniber a leader, the
applause, and he was nnadirnously chuslri
should cease to contend and peace and tran-4-"jl
name of Ellson was received with sbdutsdf
._.».
V0183.’ such being the name by which their
vessel was known, from the fact of its being
painted a brilliantsea green relieved onlyhy
a narrow strip of white. Their vovages
Wfere - frequent, and successful beyond ihe
highest expectations of the most sanguine of
ll]!-:1E‘,.7'?.]l1I!tl)el‘, and their daring and uncens-
mg efforts, helped to restore the blessings of
peace again to ‘their country, and were re-
paid by the signet of honor and wealth to
tlienisel-ves. In the mean time. Hamilton by
his passionate infirmity, and unwillingness
to subunit togthe strict, but ever necessary
fegulaiions, on board a mangof-war, had so
for (',{'i‘l1on0red himself, and the service as to
be ol..iged to leave his noble vessel. This
inste; _l of humbling his mind seemed to de-
velot -the innate. principle within. which in-
duced. ._-iim to -create and cherish the hydra
rb,f?1}fl;'f,_,t3f?disgi‘de_r and tumult, and enable
ltlml.-'} look with cold derision upon h’s fel-
low rizan, who should advocate an opinion
different f.rom his own. By the aid of mon-
ey hewery soon collected around li_im a suffi-
cientriumber of kindred spirits to form a crew,
a Baltimore built vessel was purchased, and
he this again afloat on the briny deep, not
as_sullordioate'but as first commander ofa
privateei':. he frequently visited New Haven
and was as frequently welcome-d to partake
oftliefliospitality of Mr. Clifton, and as fre-
quently repulsed in his multiplied attempts
to obtain the promise ofibe hand of Ad-aline
from__any but her father. . ln‘this manner
Hamilton passed away the time during the
continuance of hostilities; taking some trifl-
ing prizes in hisshort cruises; but making
longistays in the harbour of New Haven
until the termination of the war, wlien he
cominenced trading between New Haven
and the West Indies.
Aster the close of the war the ocean be-
came infested with pirates and robbers, to
an extent which has never been equaled in
inodt-in times; several vessr-ls eixgagtd in
‘he W851 India lrildt‘. from different ports, in
New England, had been robbed upon the
higli seas, and as was supposed by the same
pirate, and no means were taken to arrest
the perpetrators, until the splendid brig
H * " * of New Haven bountl to Ma-
tanzes, was robbed ofa large amount of spe-
cie, and much violence committed upon the
crey, (two of whom died.) for a feeble at-
tempt at resistance. This outrage awaken-
ed ifie people of New Haven to immediate
action. all their vessels were supplied with
an additional quantity of large and small
arms, for.the purpose ofdt;-fence, inauy plans
\\'€l‘,c‘ proposed and discussed as to what far-
tnersiiouid be done. i A volumecr at this
time oflered himselfand vessel, to cruise for
the pirates, in case a suitable number ofper-
sons (lbuld be found willing to embark in
the hazardous undertaking; this person was
Ellson and no sooner was his intentions and
wishes made known, than his former crew
stood around him eager to follow wherever
he should choose to lead them. Preper:1-
tions were made for their departure without
delay; and when the time for them to take
leave arrived, it was a clay of intense interest
tothe people of New Haven. The crew of
the little vessel was composed mostly of the
sons of the most prominent citizens of the
city who felt unwilling to part with them,
for an undertaking so fraught with danger.
The bold outrages _arid well known strength
of the outlaw, all combined to swell their
fears; and a trembling tear was seen in the
eye of many a fair sister and mother,‘ and
ft‘ll sparkling upon the clasped hands oftheir
sons and brothers as they bid them the pain-
ful and as some imagined a final adieu pre-
vious to their 8fIil)‘.tl'l£fill0n.
’* * * It—\vas near the close ofa stor-
.my day in the depth oftlie month of Septem-
ber 1815 that a corvette of beautiful propor-
tions was seen standing in for the harbour of
New Haven running before a strong breeze
which'had increased almost to a gale, as the
sun gave forth its last rays to light and fec-
ble warmth previous to its departure behind
its bed ofwaters ; and as the gallant craft
rounded the point, which forms the confines
of the spacious bay and harbour, many anx-
ious faces on shore brightened into joy, as
they readily recognized in tliesymmctry, and
outlines, of the approaching stranger; the fa-
vorite craft well known in the city, as the
‘Green Privateer.’ Onward came the wel-
couie vessel with every fold of canvass giv-
en‘ to the wind : which drew from many old
sea tars who had their vessels firmly fastened
to the dock, an exclamation of supprise, and
charges of imprudcncc'upon the commander
« 0 should trust so riiuch canvass to the gale
,blowing; but those who better knew
) xessel saw with increased satisfaction
that her Captain had not overrated the good
qualities ofthe carft of which he had com-
mand. As she neared the dock, many per-
sons among which were a goodly number of
the most wealthy and respectable citizens,
had collected to welcome their sons from the
small precincts oftheir vessel and the dan-
gers of the sea; to their own spacious
halls and the peaceand security oftheir own
firesides. Among the many manly forms
that crowded the deck of the vessel as she
approached the. shore was, one who’s athlet-
'c figure though cast in a graceful mould,
lailed not to attract attention as a being born
to command,standing himselfat the helm he
gave forth in clear tones such directions as
soon divested the small vessel of her ‘ fairy
wings’ and caused her to be safely moored
at the dock; then leaving the; vessel in
charge of an under officer, he sprang hastily
on shore, where a number of warm hearted
lriénds. awaited to return the pressure of his
extended hand, and reflect back the joy that
beamed from his noble countenance and flash-
ed’ from the honest expression of his dark
eye." ‘In this individual the reader will re-'
dogdiie the person of _'Ells.on _: and ,t'§I'O .sr'x)ner
had It‘! ‘returned tl‘le‘.liiih_‘€I .‘.al‘ti't?a!if:'!§l*5 of his
\
as the future commander of the ' Green Pri- friends ;-than an an
I
interested observer, could
have tr..ced the various expressions of sup-
prise deep anxiety, & doubt, alternately flitting
o’er his usually calm countenance as a ves-
sel attracted his attention,_ which was riding
at her anchor a short distance in the bay.
She was a black raking schooner of good
size, st-ttingdecp in the water, and in answer
to the quick enquiry of Ellson-,-—-was said to
be the vessel of Capt. Hamilton which had
just arrivedgfrom St. Croix with a small
cargo of sugar,’ and laying-in charge of the
mate; Capt. Hamilton having been taken
sick on shore. A new thought ofthc most
engrossing nature, seemed to have taken pos-
session of the mind ofEllson,4-and as he
supposed, accounted for the unexpected ter-
mination of his lastcruise; which had been
sufiiciently longto confirm -the worst fears
of their friends, that the "pirates iiati la/ten,
instead of bcing_sa.£>iz’uerl l)_Vl.l'it.'m : and when
_they at last returned, all were to much over-
joyed in again meeting them. to dwell upon.
the ill_ success of ‘the voyage, during which
they had not seen a V'j;‘S.>L‘l ofa piratical na-
ture nfloat. ,Ellson lost no time in paying
his accustomed visit to his adopted home, at
the house of Mrs. Somers, where he was
again welcomed not only by his former hos-
tress, but by one still iir-arerand dearer; and
as he C_f(L-\‘]’.'.’lf the full‘ band of Adaline with-
in his own, and witnessed the enchanting
gaze of well tried affection that still shone
from ‘the window ofthc soul’ in the meliin«_r
expression of her liquid eye,——bc realized’
the feelings of that popular author who lL'.S'
said ‘ give me the heart of woman with all
its susceptibilities, sympathies and emotions.
uncliarigctl and unblighted, and then difiiise
through its quick nature, the hallowing and
harmonizing influences of i'<=liglon, and earth
has not an oliject of more thrilling iriterest
and beauty; and as be imprinted the seal of
love upon her lips, he imagined a shade of
imploring sadness passed over the sunshine
of l'lt.'I‘ smile, which even its repetition did
not erase, the cause of which, he. soon learnt
in the startling information, that I-ianiilton
had been _d:1nge_ronsly sick at the house of
her father, but was then slowly recovering;
and her father had bid her to prepare to ac-
cept the offer of hishand, by the bi-stonal of
her own, as soon as he should recover from
his illness. .
It was the day following this interview
that a person in the most unfivor.-ible liabil-
iamcnts of a s.~iilor’s dress, mi-_zht have
been seen strolling l<.‘lSl1l'(‘l_\v' along“ t0\\‘aI‘(ls
the termin::ticn of Long Wharf. ‘lie wore
on his head the small woollen cap frequently
used by sailor’s and the large mustachios anil
whiskers, that covered no small poiiioiiof his
face bt“l.0l{(.'n9(l him a foreigner. Discovering
some boys engaged Will] a small boat at the
side of the wharf, he threw them each a
shilling, with the request that they «should
row him to the black schooner anchored in
short distance in the bay, with which they
complied, and he was soon along side, re-
questing permission to step aboard, which
was granted in no very uelcome tones ; and
at his request to see the Captain, was told
that he was sick on shore, ‘and if he had
any business on board the mate would at-
tend to it—\\ ho iininediately answered the
call by appearing from- the cornpanionway,
and in answer to the stranger’s a'pplicati'on
for employment told him after some close
questioning, that the vessel would sail on the
evening of the following day, and ifhe would
consent to remain with them without again
going ashore, he would give him a birth,
which offer was readily accepted. Our sai-
lor soon found that every action of his was
watched by all eyes, and that the easy fa-
ui'iliarity~so common with sailors, could not
be indulged with any on board; and while
employed during the day, he noticed tliatbut
few hands appeared on deck at one time, yet
in that number he discovered a constant
change of faces, that soon convinced him, that
the number of the crew was very great, far
exceeding the requisite number for success-
fully manning a \Vest India Merchantman.
It was on the morning of the succeeding
day that the barqzre C. * * * left
.‘~7ew Haven with a cargo of horses for the
Havana market. Our stranger noticed as
she passed them in leaving the harbor, that
all eyes were turned towards the deeply
loaded craft; and so closely was she waicli-
ed, that it assured him in a manner not
to be mistakcn,that some unusual interest was
awakened by the departure of the vessel.-
From that moment preparations were made
for the schooner’s sailing with an activity
that surprised at least one on board, and it
was near evr.-ningthat the hatches were un-
fastenr-d,and to the astonishrnent ofour sailor,
——a part of the hold was found to contain
several pieces of heavy ship’s ordinance,
muskets, pistols, cutlasses, and all necessary
means and weapons for successfully prose-
cuting a maratime warfare. Although the
evening was ushered in dark and lowering,
the scliooner’s canvass was shaken to the
wind,and shecomrnenced her trackless course
o’er the dark wave, and as she neared the
point, on which the light-house is now situ-
ated, our stranger by the assistance ofa rope
unperceived let himself gently into the wa-
tcr—-and struck out for the nearest pa rt ofthe
adjacent shore which he soon reached, and
being somewhat overcome with the fatigue
cnnsequent on violent exertion; he sat him-
self down upon is. projecting rock, to in-
dulge‘ his own sorrowful reflections; and as
his muscular frame became violently agita-
ted, by the intsensencss of his feelings, he
sighed aloud, "poo-r unfortunate Hamilton
——}mst t/1.011. indeed become an outlaw, are
Irgbber ,4 aye, yes, a, Pi-rate——tIiou art iru.7y
past /rope. _ma.y tire Goal t/iou /inst forsaken
have ercy on thy soul.” He arose and
comm:-lbxced his long and circuitous role to-
wardst acitv.-— On the succeeding morning
as the sun with more than its usual brillian-
tyfirst daxvned upon ‘the fair‘ city, -and iii,
:. - ..-.-'. .. 1.
0
t 4; .-.
‘fl
Niiézaipeir 13.
busy inhabitants, Ellson re-:_ippeai--,-d to big
friends, after an ahseiice to thcin iiiexp ice‘-
ble of two days. There some hidden mean‘-
ing cxhibittd in his countenance and portray-
ed in his behavior; his first object after ‘Q5;
suriiig his friends ‘of his safety-, was to call
upon the owners of the barque, which had i
left the harbor the previous ihorhing, and ac;
quaint them of the danger he considered, at
least their property exposed to, if not their
vessel and its inmates, from the schooner
which followed its _path after an interval of on-
ly twelve hours. He made known to them the
information he possessed of the sclioonerls
interior from a short continuance on board’-,
in the assumed disguise of a foreign ‘sailor--,
From this alone they perceived the ‘necessii I
ty oftaking some direct measures for an im-
mediate nnd continued pursuit. The well
known character ofEllscn for prudent judg-
ment and intrepidity of action, recomineiided
him to their favorable notice asthe most suita-
ble person with whom to entrust their urgent
business. It was proposedlhat wi_th his formef
crew and the privatcer, he ‘shollld again cont.-
mence an immediate pursuit: but his fore*
thought 3-. more considerate judgement sug-
gested to him an artifice which he anticipated.
would more probably be attended with success;
He again collected about him his trusty cr'ew-,
but in place ofthe privateer be procured an old
brig of large dimensions, which had sailed
from the port of New Haven for many years-.
She was built very high from the water
with bulwarks, was cumbersome and un-
wieldly and very slow sailor. That he
should make choice ofsuch a vessel, to pur-
fue those who. were undoubtedly pirates was
oy most the few who I.-new his intentions
thought to be not only unaccountable, but
.-trangely iirrprudent. But the quick dis-
cernment of Ellson intimated to him the dif-
ficulties attendant upon any attempt to combat
the pirates by otjer inc:-ins than s_t_ratageni.
The whole armature of the ‘Green Privateerl
was soon transfirred to the brig, besides at‘
large number ofnaval artillery, of the largest
calibre that could be oltaincd ; and as soon
as all necessary Zlpplll'ltl’]tlIlCE’S could be pro-
cured, Ellson Stepped on board,-——the anchor
was wt-ighcd, and taking advantage of a fair
wind, they were soon riding the ‘bounding
billows’ of the Atlantic on the route usually
pursued by \Vr-st Indii '.\'lei'chaiitm'en. The
wcathet‘ contiiurd fair, breeze favorable and
nothing unusual oc‘curred to repay the labor
of coi'istant,watcliirig, until the light of morn
dawntd upon them for the thirtcc‘nlh time‘
since the C(‘-lIlmt"l'lC€lIlt"fll. of their voyage;
when the cry was heard from the mast head
of ‘two sail on the weather beam,’ and all
t=_‘ves were quickly turned in the direction
sptcified; when at the distance of about a
league, could be seen two vessels in near‘
proximity to each other, one which appear-'
ed ‘lying to,’ and the other, which was much
the lal‘gt'St of the two was crowding all sail,
and bearing down before a fair breeze, hav4
ing discovered the brig first. Ellson took
the glass, and after scrutinzingthe approach-
ing vessel a moment, handed it to the mate
in silence, although the satisfaction ‘ that
shone in his countenance, was a language
they all understood. The mate had the glass
to his eye scarcely a moment, ere the ex-
clamation of ‘its him, let us be ready,’ burst
from his lips. The brig kept dirtctly on
her course running down at the rate of ti-
bout four knots. Their apprehension of
the cliamcter of the vessel bearing down to
them was soon coiifiriiied. A volume of
white smoke issued from her side; followed
after a few seconds by it loud report, and it
ball came skipping over the water anti dis-
appeared, within a short distance of them.
From the long range of the shot, it was evi-
dently thrown from :1 heavy gun. At this‘.
juncture, the vessel which the schooner had
before left, was discovered enve oped in
flames, with a sign of distress flying in the
breeze 3 and the pirate knowingthatof itself
would reveal his true character, run the
black flag to the mast heatl, and hearing
round and surveying the brig on every side,
wore ship, and came up on the lee bow.
No sound ‘came fr'oin the deck of the brig,
which led them into the fatal assurance that
no resistance was to be offered as she had
no appearance of being armed; and as the
pirate closed in to grapple and board, 5. long’
range ofconcealed port holes threw open, in
the gun w-ale ofthe brig, and a vast sheet of
living, fire and flame burst from her side,suc-
cecded by a shock so tremendous that “old
ocean” groancd under the concussion; the
guns rolled back, and a reserved set run out,-
and ere the smoke had cleartd away,they re-
peated the attack in a manner to awaken ter=
ror in themselves: it as the echo died away,
nought was liea rd fi'o_m the schooner but
grozins, trails, and feeble curses; and as the‘
wind llllt.(l the dense curtain of ‘smoke,-‘-'-tvas
witnessetl,one of the most perfect wrecks that
ever sunk beneath an ocean’s wave; every
spar had gone over the side: and from the
heft ofthc metal used on board the brig and
the closeness of her opponent, the hull of the‘
pirate vessel was virtually a shattered mass
of fragments, in ii sinking condition. Not a
shadow of resistance was offertd by the few"
pirates who remained alive; buteacli and all
were willing, and eager to be transferred
from their sinking ship to the safety of, the
brig; Their Captain was amongthe living fr
heiinbucklcd the belt of pistols from around
his body, and handed them to Ellson, who
discovered in the pirate commander, the per-'
son who had fornucrly been instrumental in
bringing about the duel between hirpselfand
Hamilton. The prisoners were quickly put
in‘ irons, and what few articles of value that
could be re.-scar-d from the sclioonei‘ among
which was a large amount of gold and silver
coin, was also transferred to the brig; and
the pirate vessel went down, creating :1 vor-
tex that threatened to engulf thc-tn. _ Their
course was first directed towards the burnig r,
wheel, but ere they had-made halftlre-dist-an!V."'.'
-.a
Norwalk Chronicler