resenting to them the
situation of his innocent family; that he had a wife and three small
children at home wholly dependent on him for support. But, alas, the
poor man intreated in vain. His appeal was to monsters possessing
hearts callous to the feelings of humanity. Having received a heavy
blow from one with an ax, he snapped the cords with which he was
bound, and attempted an escape by flight, but was met by another of
the ruffians, who plunged a knife or dirk to his heart. I stood near
him at this moment and was covered with his blood. On receiving the
fatal wound he gave a single groan and fell lifeless at my feet. Nor
were the remainder of the crew more fortunate. The mate while on his
knees imploring mercy, and promising to accede to anything that the
vile assassins should require of him, on condition of his life being
spared, received a blow from a club, which instantaneously put a
period to his existence! Dear brother, need I attempt to paint to
your imagination my feelings at this awful moment? Will it not
suffice for me to say that I have described to you a scene of horror
which I was compelled to witness! and with the expectation too of
being the next victim selected by these ferocious monsters, whose
thirst for blood appeared to be insatiable. There appeared now but
one alternative left me, which was to offer up a prayer to Heaven
for the protection of that Being who has power to stay the
assassin's hand, and "who is able to do exceeding abundantly above
what we can ask or think,"--sincerely in the language of scripture I
can say, "I found trouble and sorrow, then called I upon the name of
the Lord."

I remained on my knees until the inhuman wretches had completed
their murderous work, and left none but myself to lament the fate of
those who but twenty-four hours before, were animated with the
pleasing prospects of a quick passage, and a speedy return to the
bosoms of their families! The wretch by whom I had been thrice
promised protection, and who seemed to reign chief among them, again
approached me with hands crimsoned with the blood of my murdered
countrymen, and, with a savage smile, once more repeated his
assurances that if I would but become reconciled to my situation, I
had nothing to fear. There was indeed something truly terrific in
the appearance of this