258 THE LIVERPOOL BUCCANKERS. 



terrupted by Heath's pointing out to the notice of Capt. Cornish, some 

 marks upon the fore-topsail and foresail of the enemy's vessel, which 

 could be descried through the aperture, and which proved, on exa- 

 mination, to be the names of two sail-makers at Liverpool, a disco- 

 very, that seemed to cast yet further doubt upon her being an Ameri- 

 can, although none of those who strove to solve the mystery, were, 

 for a moment, disposed to admit the idea of a piracy, so foul and 

 guilty, being the act of their countrymen. 



Their observations were soon interrupted by the intervention of 

 one of the two men, who had, since daylight, been placed as sen- 

 tinels at the aperture, who, presenting a pistol at the hole, threatened 

 them with instant death, if further conversation had place ; but 

 who, after much intreaty, handed them some bread and water. 

 Noon at length arrived, when it appeared that the pirates had com- 

 pleted their labour of transferring the cargo ; and Cornish indulged 

 a hope, that, satisfied with their important spoil, they might be induced 

 to abandon his vessel, and allow them to regain their liberty ; but all 

 his better expectations were at once crushed, as he heard his inhuman 

 invaders busy in staving the boats, and beheld them cutting the 

 ropes, and other necessary tackle of the brig, and adopting every pre- 

 caution to render her wholly useless and unservicable. Cruel as 

 were the measures of the pirates, in regard to his property, as he 

 looked upon his son, Cornish refused to admit the idea, that the exis- 

 tence of him, or his, was likely to be compromised by men of his 

 " land's language :" and if he deplored the ruin and havoc they had 

 effected, he but considered it as the prudence of wicked men, to pre- 

 vent untimely discovery by those they had so largely injured. The 

 work of destruction had already occupied several hours, and the 

 noises gradually diminished, when the single centinel now placed 

 over them, informed them that he was going aft, and threatened 

 them with instant death, if any one of them should attempt to move ; 

 but that, on their remaining quiet, he would, in an hour's time, return 

 and restore them to liberty. Eagerly and fondly did the unfortunate 

 captives rely upon the faith of the ruffian's promise, and anxiously they 

 marked the progress of time, which was to give them freedom, when 

 a dull, low grating sound was heard, in the direction of the cabin : 

 in agony and horror the wretched prisoners recognized the operation 

 of scuttling the vessel. Not a word was uttered ; but each held his 

 breath, and gazed in the face of his comrade with despair. It ceased. 

 No sound of human voice or step was further heard ; and attentively 

 they listened, in the hope of acquiring some indication of the pre- 

 sence of their enemies ; but all was hushed, save at times the gurg- 

 ling sound, as it seemed, of water entering the vessel. In their 

 agony and desperation, they repeatedly and loudly cried for mercy, 

 and for aid ; but there was none to hear them. With a simultaneous 

 and violent effort, they strove to force the hatches : again and again 

 it was repeated, and in vain, until they sank exhausted by their fruit- 

 less exertions. The rolling of the water in the hold, and the noise 

 of floating articles, now convinced them of the fatal truth, that the 

 element was rapidly gaining upon them, and that their last home 

 was nigh. The rushing sound had ceased, as the vessel filled ; the 



