examined the wound were satisfied that it was round at that place. The measure had been inflicted by a sharp instrument, ment of the rest went on, and after going and by a person who must have held the through nearly the whole number, one at instrument in his left hand. On examin-length was discovered which corresponded ing the ground about the cottage, there exactly with the impression, in dimensions, were discovered the footsteps seemingly shape of the foot, form of the soul, appaof a person who had been running hastily rently newly mended, and the number and from the cottage, and by an indirect road, position of the knobs. The young man through a quagmire or bog, in which there to whom the shoe belonged, on being were stepping-stones. asked where he was the day the deceased

It appeared, however, that the person, was murdered, replied seemingly without in his haste and confusion, had slipped embarassment, that he had been all that his foot and stepped into the mire, by day employed about his master's workwhich he must have met nearly the mid- a statement which his master and fellow dle of the leg. The prints of the footsteps servants confirmed. This going so far to were actually measured, and an exact remove suspicion, a warrant of commitimpression taken of them; and it appeared ment was not then granted; but some that they were those of a person who circumstances occurring a few days theremust have worn shoes, the soles of which after, having a tendency to excite it anew, had been newly mended; and which, as is the young man was apprehended, and usual in that part of the country, had iron lodged in jail. On his examination, he knobs, or nails, in them. There were acknowledge he was left-handed; and discovered also, along the track of the some scratches being observed on his footsteps, and at certain intervals, drops cheek, he said he had got them when of blood; and on a stile, or small gateway, pulling nuts in a wood a few days before. near the cottage, and in the line of the He still adhered to what he had said, of footsteps, some marks resembling those his having been, on the day of the murof a hand which had been bloody. Not der, employed constantly at his master's the slightest suspicion at this time, attached work, at some distance from the place to any particular person as the murderer; where the deceased resided. But, in the nor was it even suspected who might be course of the precognition, it turned out the father of the child with which the that he had been absent from his work girl was found to be pregnant. about half an honr (the time being dis

At the funeral a number of persons of tinctly ascertained) in the course of the both sexes attended, and the stewart-de- torenoon of that day-that he had called pute thought it the fittest opportunity of at a smith's shop under a pretence of endeavoring, if possible, to discover the wanting something which it did not apmurderer, conceiving rightly, that to avoid pear he had any occasion for-that this suspicion, whoever he was, he would smith's shop was on the way to the cotnot, on that occasion, be absent. With tage of the deceased. A young girl who this view, he called together, after the was some hundred yards from the cottage, interment, the whole of the men who said, about the time the murder was comwere present, being about sixty in num-mitted, (and which corresponded to the ber. He caused the shoes of each of time that Richardson was absent from his them to be taken off and measured; and fellow-servants,) she saw a person exone of the shoes was found to resemble actly with Richardson's dress, in appearpretty nearly the impression of the foot-ance, running hastily toward the cottage, steps hard by the cottage. The wearer but did not see him return, though he of this shoe was the schoolmaster of the might have gone round by a small emiparish, which led immediately to the sus-nence, which was the very track where picion that he must have been the father the footsteps had been traced. His fellowof the child, and had been guilty of the servants now recollected, that on the foremurder to save his character. On close noon of that day, they were employed examination, however, of the shoe, it was with Richardson in driving their master's discovered that it was pointed at the toes, carts, and in passing by a wood which whereas the impression of the foot-step they named, Richardson said he must

run to the smith's shop, and would be had criminal conversation with her; and back in a short time. He then left his on being gibed with having such conneccart under their charge, and they having tion with one in her situation, he seemed waited for him about half an hour which much ashamed, and greatly hurt. It was one of them ascertained by having looked proved farther by the person who sat at his watch, they remarked on his return, next to him while the shoes were meathat he had been much longer absent suring, that he trembled much, and seemed than he said he would; to which he re-a good deal agitated; and, that in the inplied that he had stopped in the woods to terval between that time and his being apgather nuts. They observed at this time prehended, he was advised to fly, but his one of his stockings wet and soiled, as if answer was where can I fly to?' he had stepped into a puddle, on which On the other hand, evidence was they asked him where he had been. He brought to show, that, about the time of said he had stepped into a marsh, the the murder,a boat's crew from Ireland had name of which he mentioned; on which landed on that part of the coast, near the his fellow-servants remarked, that he must dwelling of the deceased; and it was said been either drunk or mad if he had step-some of that crew might have committed ped into that marsh, as there was a foot- the murder, though their motives for doing path that went along the side of it. It so it was difficult to explain, it not being then appeared that comparing the time alledged that robbery was their purpose he was absent with the distance of the or that any thing was missed from the cottage from the place where he had left cottages in the neighborhood. The jury, his fellow servants, that he might have by a great plurality of voices, found him gone there, committed the murder, and guilty. returned to them. A search then was Before his execution, he confessed he made for the stockings he had worn that was the murderer, and said it was to hide day. They were found concealed in the his shame in having paid attention to a thatch of the apartment where he slept; woman of weak intellect, that he commitappeared to be much soiled, and to have ted the deed. He mentioned also to a some drops of blood on them. The last clergyman who attended him, where the he accounted for by saying, first, that his knife could be found with which he pernose had been bleeding a few days before; petrated the murder. It was found, acbut it being observed that he had worn cordingly, in the place he described, under other stockings, he next said that he had a stone in a wall, with marks of blood assisted in bleeding a horse when he wore upon it.

those stockings; but it was proved he had not assisted, but had stood on that occcasion at such a distance that none of the blood could have reached him.

A Piratical Sketch.

IN the month of June, 1837, I embar

On examining the mud or sand on the stockings, it appeared to correspond precisely with that of the mire or puddle ad- ked on board of the ship Star, bound for joining to the cottage, and which was of the West Indies. There were a large.

a very particular kind, none other of the number of cabin-passengers on board, and same kind being found in that neighbor-we had the promise of a pleasant and hood. The shoemaker was then disco- agreeable voyage. The captain was a vered who had mended his shoes a short fine, open-souled gentleman, who paid time before, and he spoke distinctly to the every care and attention to the comfort shoes of the prisoner, which were exhibited of the passengers, and had, for many to him, as having been those he had mend- years, been conspicuous in his official ed. It then came out that Richardson capacity. I had also under my protection had been acquainted with the deceased, my niece, the only daughter of a deceased who was considered in the country, as of brother, and as lovely and sweet a girl as weak intellect; and had, on one occasion, ever blessed a parent. She was one of been seen with her in a wood, in circum-those bright, ethereal creatures whose stances that led to suspicion that he had very thoughts and feelings are beautiful,

and one who looked upon all creation with just been sufficiently agitated by the wind a golden vision, that colored all objects to be pleasant, and the white crested around her with its own rich and heavenly waves rolled and tumbled with life and hues. We had also in our little company joy. The nights were clear and bluean invalid, a young gentleman with whom a heaven crowded with stars-a full moon my niece was about to be united, and who pouring down a flood of light-and our was proceeding South in search of a more vessel with her bellying sails shooting gentle climate that might contribute to re- through the waters with the velocity of lief in a pulmonary complaint. an arrow. Many of the evenings were

Nothing could exceed the attachment passed by me on the vessel's deck, listenwhich she manifested for her betrothed, ing to those "Yarns" which the sons of and the devotedness with which she at- Neptune are so famous for spinning. I tended upon him, was truly touching. will, for a moment, digress, from my subShe never, for a moment, supposed he ject to relate one, which to me was most could be taken from her-in fact, I ques- thrilling.

tion whether she had any proper idea of An old tar, who had for many years death at all. How encouragingly she ploughed the deep, said he recollected a spoke of him to me day by day. "The circumstance, while on a voyage from climate of the South must restore him," Liverpool to Quebec, which he never she said, and then she exclaimed in all the could bear to think of with any degree of warmth of her manner-" he will be mine composure. "We were loaded chiefly indeed." with emigrants," said he, "among them

I often endeavored to moderate her ex- a great number of women and children. travagant hope, and discipline her feelings The weather had been fair, and for many in such a manner, that she might be bet- days we never found it necessary to take ter enabled to withstand with fortitude in a sheet. All seemed filled with hope the shock which we all thought must and good spirits, looking forward to a bet eventually ensue. Qne mellow evening, ter land than the one they had left. I reas we stood leaning upon the taffrail, with member the night well," said Jack, "and a flood of moonlight streaming down upon every one who was saved from the poor us, I reminded her of the desperate disease Santa Martha, remembers it, I warrant under which her lover labored: and, ta- you, to this day. It was a clear, still eve king her calmly by the hand-"Mary," ning, the moon shinning down as round said I, "your hope for him is too great-and bright as it does at this moment, when you love him, it is true-we all love him; every man, woman and child thought by his many virtues he has won the affec- themselves in the most perfect security, tions of friends and strangers; but then that the vessel struck one of those sunken he is not immortal-we are often called rocks which infest the waters. It imme upon to lose those most dear-death is diately sprang a leak, but we were all our great enemy-and what I fear, is, that careful to keep the knowledge of the extent your affection may at last prove your own of the damage from the passengers. The distruction-you adore him, and if death carpenter was called, but long before he takes him from us, I fear that you may reached the spot, the vessel was quarter too soon follow after him." filled. Nothing could be done but to save She started like one from a dream, for our lives. And what do you think we throughout my conversation, her eyes done? What could we do?" he repeated, were fixed upon the moonlit sea. "Did turning his weather-beaten countenance you say die?" Henry die?" she inquired upon us" What could we do? The boats with a vacant stare. "Do we not proceed were scarce sufficient to save the crewthither for his life? He will not die?" and the rush for life, in case our deplora And thus it was. No argument of mine ble situation had been divulged, would was sufficient to impress upon her mind have sunk them all, and thus completed the considerations which every one but our total destruction. I'll tell you what,' herself was so fully aware of. said our captain, our hatches must be During our voyage thus far, the weather barred down, the entrance to the comhad been beautiful. The mighty deep had panion-way closed, every door fastened,

and we must save ourselves in the boats.' him already in the full flush of health and It was done as he ordered; and we had life.

scarcely left the good ship, when she On the tenth day out, the brisk breeze gradually began to go down, and we heard that had wafted us so merrily along, sudthe smothered screams of the drowning-denly died away, and sunk to a dead calm. the splash, and the gurgling and spouting Above, the sky, with a brassy and burnof water-the shrill voice of the women, ing aspect, and the blazing sun poured and still, small voice of the infant! Hea. its scorching heat like molten fire. The vens, I never shall forget it! All this scams of the vessel's deck ran liquid tar time the ship was fast disappearing, and and pitch, and the shrouds moistened the voices growing weaker and weaker, where they hung. There we lay heaving until settling at last to the bulwarks, she to and fro in the trough of the ocean, gave a plunge forward and aft, and sink-watching the long, smooth, and lazy swells ing down, drew her colors after her with that rose and sunk in their indolence.the velocity of lightning, forming a thou- Every one was literally burning to death, sand little whirlpools that wheeled madly and praying for a gale to hasten them on. around above her. Thus went the poor About this time, we observed a neigh Santa Martha," said Jack, wiping an hon- bor to windward, who wore a most omin est tear from his eye, " as good a ship as ous appearance. She was a Baltimore ever sat on the waters. I loved her with clipper and painted as black as night. A all my heart. Why, Lord, sir, I was black flag hung from her mizen, curled mate of that ship five years," he contin- lazily around her rigging, and altogether, ued, brightning up; "but so she went at she was a pretty little craft. The captain last." was called who appeared on deck with This was one among many incidents his glass, and took a more elaborate ob related, and at that time they were pecu- servation. He reported her strongly liarly calculated to make a deep impres- manned, carrying ten guns. In fact she sion upon us. I knew there were many was a piratical craft. She had every ap piratical vessels cruising in the West In- pearance of a rapid sailer-her light, trim, dia waters, and must confess I did not taper masts-her long slender hull-her feel myself in perfect security; now es- sharp bow-her ease and grace upon the pecially were my fears excited for my water-all were light, fleet, and beautiful niece and her feeble lover, both of whom-they were not to be mistaken, nor their I loved most dearly. As for the latter, I object to be misunderstood. Her men feared he must leave us soon at any rate, were scattered around in a listless manyet I could not harbor the idea that any ner, while the weapons that were bound thing should occur to distress him in his about them flashed with the intense rays last moments. of the sun. They were undoubtedly lying

66

Morning and evening passed, and still in wait for wind when we should have our course was onward; scarcely a cloud the pleasure of their company. The capduring the voyage thus far, had spotted the tain observed them very closely, and at blue face of the heavens. We were hail- last, lowering his glass very abruptly, he ed each morning with the unobscured sun, turned to the mate, saying, We must try. rushing up from the level ocean in one a run for it, and if that fails, trust to our sudden blaze, and at night dropping away arms. No quarters here,' he added, passagain, throwing an almost twilight over ing down the companion way. the waters. Our patient had made a During the day our vessel lay tumbling slight improvement since his embarkation, about the sea. Our invalid, also, was seand many had a hope that his case would riously affected by the heat, and declared yet be conquered. Mary had no doubt existence to be insupportable. About" of it. But she, as I before stated, never sunset, I was leaning against the taffrail doubted from the first, that he was to be in deep meditation, when I was suddenly yet restored to her in full health and vigor; aroused by a tap on the shoulder from the and now, when a change was visible to captain. "We shall not lay long in this all, how much more so to her; her young devilish calm," he said, pointing to a cerand enthusiastic imagination dwelt upon tain flaw of wind curling the waters VOL. III-18-3

'wind enough by night-fall-will blow way with one hand upon his hat swearing the hair from your head, sir-enough to most bitterly at what he thought the tardy rend the canvass from forty ships-there, execution of his orders, and the sailors don't you see?" he continued, raising his echoed them round to one another in great arm, and pointing westward, "a little profusion-the vessel itself reeled and gathering there, a closing up of the vapor plunged-the tempest screaming through and small clouds-its coming, sir-its the rigging, and the keel and timbers coming;" and way he darted, summon-cracking at every leap. The mountain ing all hands, who made instant prepara- waves rose, as it were, midway in the tions to meet the approaching gale. heavens, and thundering down upon our And not us alone. The captain of the decks, burst in torrents over us. A twiblack clipper had already caught the light had come down upon the great sea, oinen in the heavens. His crew were caused by the density and blackness of the hurrying to and fro, as we saw by the tempest. The thunder and lightning flashing and glancing of their arms. were truly awful-every flash split as it Some were darting up the shrouds-oth- were the very heavens asunder. What ers tightening the braces-and all were in- fear, and quakings, and groanings there tent upon the rising gale. were among our passengers, I will not at

Turning away, I passed down the com- tempt to describe. The female portion panion-way to the cabin, where I found were wrought to an agony of concern. the captain preparing not only for the Yet I must confess that Mary was more tempest, but a less welcome foe. "Let resigned than I could have expected-her every piece be carefully examined," said fear was chiefly for her lover, which renhe to the mate, in an imperative tone; dered her in a measure unconscious of her "let each be prepared with a musket and own danger. Such is woman. cutlass the black rascals will give us the My attention was upon our enemy. chase soon, but they must fight for it, too. She danced upon the face of the great Ah, Mr.," he continued, turning to deep like a feather-thundered aloft in the me; "so you see we are not exactly un- lurid sky, and the next in the great abyss. prepared," glancing down to a pile of Yet I perceived that she made a rapid arms which lay before him. "And I may gain upon us. I was just turning to the give you an invitation to boat-shooting-captain to assure him of the fact, when I not the dullest amusement by any means. was startled by the rattling of shot This is not the first time these gentlemen through the topmast rigging, and the fallhave met me in these waters," he contin- ing of splinters around me from one of ued, holding up his left-hand, bereft of one the spars.

of the fingers. In the meantime the wind "Curse them," muttered the captain, was freshening up. The mists and vapor" the bloodthirsty wretches would even had now become a heavy black cloud, a- fight in such a gale as this. It will take round the edges of which the silent light- many of their wind and water shots to ping was shooting most fearfully, accom- bring us down, I imagine.” panied by dull bursts of thunder, that died) While he stood gazing upon them, anaway with a smothered echo. The old other broadside greeted us, with about the deep moved, and rousing itself from its same effect, yet sufficient to exhibit their lethargy, lashed up its foaming waves. desperate character. The captain also All sails was immediately taken in, and it informed me he knew the vessel well, was evident we must "scud under bare whose commander never gave quarters; poles" during the continuance of the storm. and he told me he had understood that The wind was west, blowing strongly their flag was inscribed with the old say from shore; and, what was unfortunate, ing, " Dead men till nɔ tales.” the gale would drive us farther out at sea. Still they cortinued their firing, and as Our enemy, who lay between us and land, they approached us their Strots began to must approach us by drifting, as it would have more effect. One ball passed be instant destruction to carry the leasthrough the bulwarks, throwing the s Insail. But we must abide the result. ters in every direction. As for us, our The eaptain stood most by the gang-only alternative was their boarding us