st of this. He
fell, pierced by two musket balls, in the van of a division of boats,
attacking their principal vessel, a fine schooner of about eighty tons,
with a long eighteen pounder on a pivot, and four smaller guns, _with
the bloody flag nailed to the mast_. Himself, Captain Freeman of
Marines, and twelve men, were in the boat, much in advance of his other
boats, and even took possession of the schooner, after a desperate
resistance, which nothing but a bravery almost too daring could have
overcome. The pirates, all but one, escaped by taking to their boats and
jumping overboard, before the Alligator's boat reached them. Two other
schooners escaped by the use of their oars, the wind being light.

Captain Allen survived about four hours, during which his conversation
evinced a composure and firmness of mind, and correctness of feeling, as
honorable to his character, and more consoling to his friends, than even
the dauntless bravery he before exhibited.

The surgeon of the Alligator in a letter to a friend, says, "He
continued giving orders and conversing with Mr. Dale and the rest of us,
until a few minutes before his death, with a degree of cheerfulness that
was little to be expected from a man in his condition. He said he wished
his relatives and his country to know that he had fought well, and added
that he died in peace and good will towards all the world, and hoped for
his reward in the next."

Lieutenant Allen had but few equals in the service. He was ardently
devoted to the interest of his country, was brave, intelligent, and
accomplished in his profession. He displayed, living and dying, a
magnanimity that sheds lustre on his relatives, his friends, and his
country.

[Illustration: _Horrid Piracy and Murder by a Mexican "privateer."_]

About this time Captain Lincoln fell into the hands of the pirates, and
as his treatment shows the peculiar habits and practices of these
wretches, we insert the very interesting narrative of the captain.

The schooner Exertion, Captain Lincoln, sailed from Boston, bound for
Trinidad de Cuba, Nov. 13th, 1821, with the following crew; Joshua
Bracket, mate; David Warren, cook; and Thomas Young, Francis De Suze,
and George Reed, seamen.

The cargo consisted of flour, beef, pork, lard, butter, fish, beans,
onions, potatoes, apples, hams, furniture, sugar box shooks, &c.,
invoiced at about eight thousand dollars. Nothing remarkable occurred
during the passage, except much b