ked above and around him, unable to
distinguish the quarter from whence the report came. Almost immediately,
he heard the sound repeated, and then distinctly perceived smoke curling
from the vessel's side. His fears were at once excited. Again he
listened; but all was hushed, and the brig still stood steadily in
towards the shore. Nearer and nearer, she approached; until, alarmed for
her safety, the man ran to summon the nearest officer. By the time they
returned, the vessel had wore, and was standing off from the land; but
while they remained in anxious speculation as to the cause of all this,
the firing was renewed on board, and it was evident that some deadly
fray was going on. At length a boat was seen to put off from the brig,
and upon its reaching the shore, the worst fears of the party were
realized. The misguided prisoners on board had attempted to seize the
vessel. They were but twelve in number, unarmed, and guarded by twelve
soldiers, and a crew of eighteen men; yet they had succeeded in gaining
possession of the vessel, and held it for a time, but had been finally
overpowered, and immediate help was required for the wounded and dying.

"June 21, 1842.--My duty as a clergyman called me to the scene of blood.
When I arrived on the deck of the brig, it exhibited a frightful
spectacle. My heart sickened at the extent of the carnage; and I was
almost sinking with the faintness it produced, when I was roused by a
groan so full of anguish and pain, that for a long time afterwards its
echo seemed to reach me. I found that it came from a man lying further
forward, on whose face the death-dew was standing, yet I could perceive
no wound. Upon questioning him, he moved his hand from his breast, and I
then perceived that a ball had pierced his chest, and could distinctly
hear the air rushing from his lungs through the orifice it had left. I
tore away the shirt, and endeavored to hold together the edges of the
wound until it was bandaged. I spoke to him of prayer, but he soon grew
insensible, and within a short time died in frightful agony. In every
part of the vessel, evidences of the attempt which had ended so fatally
presented themselves, and the passions of the combatants were still
warm. After attending to those who required immediate assistance, I
received the following account of the affair:

"The prisoners had slept the previous night in a part of the vessel
appropriated for this purpose; but it was without fasten