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PAPERS OF. 1\lrRABEAU BpONAPARTE LAMAR
wishes for the success of the enterprise and the welfare of .its gallant leader. It was during a visit of this kind, that Captain Carroll, on his return from a profitable cruize, became alarmed at seeing the American Flag displayed on· the Island and, fearing that General Long might have been dislod'ged at Bolivar Point, set sail for Vermillion Bay, where his vessel was wrecked and a valuable cargo lost.-We will tell the story as it was told to us.- This rover of the high seas, sailing under the Columbian Au- thority, as a privateer, but acting more like a Buchaneer, had made a successful cruize in the Gulf and was steering for Galveston Island, when an unexpected and frightful mutiny occurred. The crew was composed mainly of the worst characters of var- ious nations; and the object of the mutineers was to possess themselves of the vessel by murdering the Captain and the few American sailor on board. They commenced their bloody work by stabbing two of .the Americans and snapping a carbine at the Cap- tain. Duval was below. He was second in command. Hearing the cry of murder, he seized his sabre, and starting for the deck, met the Captain descending the hatches, swearing that he would blow up the vessel. "Not so"-said the cool and collected Lieutenant- "you are a brave man-so am I-let us fight the villians"- The captain agreed, and they both rushed upon deck. 1 rhc first man they met was the ring-leader of the mutiny, his dagger still dripping with blood of Ellis and Cox. A single blow from the strong arm of Carroll severed the villian 's head from his body. Duval, in the mean time ran to the bow of the vessel where three of the mutineers ·were fastening a chord around the neck of Lieut. Clark; he em- boweled two of them with his sabre, and forced the third to leap over board. The operation however, saved the villian 's life; for he was taken up after the fight ,vas over. These vigerous movements were but the work of a moment. And they ended the affair. The mutineers were unable to fight. Paralized by guilt, as well as apaled by these terrible blows, they threw down the"ir arms and cried for quarter. Order being restored, the vessel continued her course, and arrived the next morning at the Bar of Galveston Bay.- On approaching the Island, however, Captain Carroll, as we have already stated, saw a vessel anchored in the bay of a doubtful flag; and not knowing what changes might have taken place in the affairs of Fort Bolivar during his absence, he deemed it prudent not to enter the harbour until he should first ascertain whether it was occupied by friend or foe. For this purpose he despatched Lieutenant Duval on a reconnoitering expedition. General Long at the same time, regarding the vessel with some suspicion, ordered l\Iajr. 1\Iilam and Earl "Williams upon a similar enterprise. It so happened that these two parties in their reconnoitcrings, recognised each other to their -mutual satisfaction; and after explaining the bloody affair of the Mutiny set sail for the American Vessel. Herc the particulars of the mutiny were fully developed, and the merits of the case discussed and re-discussed over bottles of wine, until the intellects of the party became as rebellious as the mutineers themselves. It was finally proposed by the United States Officers that they should adjourn to
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