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Updated: June 25, 2025
The difficulty of accomplishing this task was, however, very great, and the second lieutenant and gunner, with several of the men, were drawn up, apparently lifeless, after making the attempt. Lieutenant Saltwell now again descended to the after cockpit, where he found one man alone still persevering in the hazardous duty Ben Twinch, boatswain's mate.
Commander Saltwell, not looking upon the Frenchmen he had picked up in the light of prisoners, wished to put them on shore as soon as possible. He resolved, therefore, to stand in towards the coast of San Domingo, the western portion of which island belonged to France, and to land them at some settlement where they could obtain assistance.
When he came on deck, it was to glean information from those who had visited that part of the Mediterranean, or to discuss with Saltwell the plan of operations he had commenced arranging, but in the details of which he purposed to be guided by the accounts he should receive wherever they touched.
In this anxiety about getting the captain on board, the mistico was for the time entirely forgotten; and when at last Saltwell thought of her, and ordered the foretop-sail to be again filled in chase, she had got so far to windward as to be again almost out of gun-shot.
"She is one of those piratical craft belonging to the nest of scoundrels on the island there, depend upon it; and they were trying to get hold of the boat, or to run her down, which they are just as likely to do as not, and then they'll be off again in the wind's eye, like a shot, before we can get up to them, and snug inside their rocks." "I suspect you are right, master," said Saltwell.
The prisoners being collected from the three forts, and assembled on the beach, Captain Saltwell came on shore and offered the officers their liberty and permission to carry away any of their private property on condition of their pledging their word of honour not to serve against the English again during the war. This they willingly gave.
"There is a strong current setting from the eastward, you say, and you have known many vessels wrecked attempting the passage? Then, Mr Saltwell, pack all sail on the brig. There is a large boat, or a raft, with a square sail, to the south-east of us, which we will overhaul without delay." Royals and studding-sails, alow and aloft, were now set, and away the Ione flew before the breeze.
"What, think you he will venture to murder a British officer, when he knows that his strong-hold is discovered, and that his death would certainly be avenged?" exclaimed the colonel. "Poor fellow! and my little niece if the poor girl ever escapes from that infernal den I'm afraid she will never recover it." "I own, I fear for the worst," said Saltwell, who was weary, and out of spirits.
As they were about to shove off, Mr Saltwell inquired whether any one could speak French. "I can, sir," said Bill, touching his hat. "Then go and assist Mr Sterling; you will be of much use," said the first lieutenant. Bill, who had been longing to visit the prize, obeyed with no small satisfaction.
Oliver soon afterwards had the satisfaction of being confirmed in his rank as lieutenant. Though Commander Saltwell made honourable mention of our hero on each occasion, he received no further recognition of his services. "I have no business to complain," he observed.
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