CHAPTER XV.

From the 2d of February to the 12th we had favorable winds, and for

three or four days our speed had averaged ten or eleven knots an hour.

At noon of that day, when in latitude 24° 1′ north and longitude 65°

58′ west, our captain and officers observed a sail in our wake, which

gradually gained upon us, until it could be plainly seen that she was

a steamer. At this time the wind had lulled, and we were only making

eight knots an hour; so that about three o’clock in the afternoon the

strange sail was distant from us perhaps six miles, and following

directly astern, with the “stars and stripes” run up on her foremast.

We had not thought of being molested by southern pirates,[42] but hoped

she might prove to be a gunboat of our Government; and being nearly

famished, after a five months’ fast, for news from home, were happy in

the prospect of hearing how it fared with our country. A little before

four o’clock I went to the quarter-deck, and seated myself on the

starboard side, not far back of the stern. She was then directly in our

track, and evidently making for us with much speed, having every stitch

of canvas out, even to her studding-sails, and her steam power in full

operation. Soon after this an order was given to unfurl our flag at the

peak, and I observed that our captain, who was constantly using his

glass, and watching the approaching vessel, seemed a little nervous and

ill at ease. Indeed, doubt had already begun to settle upon us all, for

the steamer was gaining upon us at the rate of three miles an hour, and

her appearance, to say the least, did not bode us any good. We were

making all the sail we could, and had the wind which had favored us the

day previous continued, we could have kept out of the range of her guns

until evening, and then probably have been able to elude her. But it

was otherwise decreed, and down she came upon us, firing a shot when

about three miles distant, which struck the water a ship’s length and a

half astern of the _Bell_, on the port side. That shot was potential,

carrying conviction to all that our vessel was doomed, and that we

were about to fall into the hands of an enemy. It required but little

reflection to make us painfully conscious of the fact, the whole truth

of which flashed upon us as suddenly and unexpectedly as the booming of

the distant gun which seemed to announce our doom; in an instant, as

it were, paralyzing all thought and feeling. Directly on the firing of

the gun Captain Frisbie rose up, and turning his face towards the bow,

looked first at his ship and then at the sail, saying,--“Well, I guess

you’ll heave to, now!” and ordering his men to “clew up the crotchet

sail,” and back the yards, we quietly waited for the decision of our

fate.

We had just sailed through the heat of the tropics, and having been ill

for more than three weeks, and of course weak and easily perturbed, the

firing of the gun sent me directly into the cabin; but, through Master

Charlie, I learned that in about ten minutes after I had left the deck,

the steamer, which proved to be the _Florida_,--a pirate, officered

and manned by the rebels of the Southern States,--came round our stern

to the port side, and when within two ship’s lengths of us ran up the

rebel Confederate flag,--taking down the “stars and stripes,”--and

hailed us. On being answered, and told whither we were bound, we were

ordered to strike our colors; and no answer being returned, nor any

movement made to carry the order into execution, there came a second

and more peremptory summons, with which Captain Frisbee complied,

and our colors were struck! The steamer, meanwhile, made a circuit

once or twice around us for purposes of observation, very much in

the same way that a cat toys with a mouse, after having made sure of

her victim. Having no efficient armament, we were powerless; yet she

did not raise the rebel flag until she had us broadside under her

guns,--a circumstance which indicated, as clearly as anything could,

the conscious guilt of these pirates, and their extreme care lest

they should be caught in some trap, thus getting their retribution

somewhat in advance of their calculations. The pirate captain then

sent a boat alongside, with a prize-master; who, accosting Captain

Frisbie, exclaimed--“You are my prize.” The captain replied--“But this

is English property.” “I can’t help that,” rejoined the prize-master;

“I must obey my orders.” Captain Frisbie then said--“Is this the way

you take English property on the high seas?” “Yes, sir!” was the

reply; “Lord John Russell has recently said that if English subjects

put their property in United States vessels, they must look for pay

to the Confederate Government.” The prize-master then told Captain

Frisbie that he must prepare to go on board the steamer, while he took

possession of the ship; and on being asked what was to be done with the

passengers and crew, the officer said they were also to be taken on

board, but that all private property should be saved, and after taking

what they wished from the _Jacob Bell_, they should burn her.

There being no appeal from this _ex cathedra_ decision, or rather

doom, our captain went below and directly made preparations to leave.

In a few minutes after this another boat coming from the _Florida_,

in charge of one of their doctors, our crew were immediately

taken on board, and we were only allowed the time taken for their

transshipment,--which could not have exceeded half an hour,--to gather

up a few things and get ready to follow.

Complying with the suggestions of our faithful and kind colored

steward, I gathered together the few things that were in the drawers

of my state-room, and throwing them hastily on my bed, tied them

securely in the counterpane. I also put the few books which were in my

state-room into a small calico bag; and notwithstanding my confused and

nervous state, had sufficient self-possession and forecast to take a

small hand-trunk, in which I put a change or two of linen, and a few

night-clothes; being careful to add flannel articles, warm stockings,

boots, and gloves for the cold weather on our coast, together with our

toilet articles. To these I also added some pocket-handkerchiefs, one

or two books valuable from association, a few pieces of jewelry, and

some other articles, which, together with the little money we had with

us, would be absolutely necessary in case we should never get any more

of our luggage. We were bidden to make all haste, and the little trunk,

together with two Chinese baskets,--the only articles that we could

take with us,--were soon ready; our trunks of clothing for sea use

having been also got out and placed in the cabin, along with our two

emigrant-looking bundles. There was no time to give any attention to

one’s personal appearance, and it certainly would not be entertaining

to know what kind of plight I was in when taken on board the pirate.

I have already alluded, however, to the fact of having been more ill

than usual during our passage through the Atlantic tropics; and my

lady-readers can readily imagine how they would look _en déshabillé_,

with a loose gown of cotton print, an old shawl thrown about their

shoulders, and a straw hat in place of a bonnet.

The boat came for the third time, when, with the captain, his wife,

and child, we were transferred to the pirate. Happily for us the wind

had continued to lull, and although there was something of a swell,

there was no heavy sea running. For this we were thankful;--but to be

fastened into a chair, and hoisted over the ship’s side by means of

a rope-tackling, into a boat, and then to be re-hoisted in the same

manner, and lowered upon the deck of an armed vessel prepared for

piratical warfare, amid the gaze of brutalized and vicious men, whose

vulgar, jeering expression of countenance was enough to make any one

shrink back involuntarily with loathing and indignation, was a severe

test for a woman, who, both in body and mind, was greatly weakened by a

long voyage and months of disease in the tropics of the East; and yet

all this was but a slight foretaste of what was to follow.

The flag of the _Jacob Bell_--claimed as a prize by the pirates--was to

be taken with us on board their vessel; and Captain Frisbie laying it

over the chair in which his wife and I were to be placed, in order to

be hoisted into the boat, we gathered the loose folds into our laps, so

as to partly cover us. The gleam of comfort and sunshine that flashed

through my confused brain when my eye first rested on one particular

star in those folds can never be forgotten. It was still a star of hope

and trust, making even the heart of a feeble and unprotected woman glow

with an emotion of joyful pride in that she was permitted to suffer in

a cause like that of constitutional liberty; which, next to our holy

religion, is more sacred and precious than anything else for which man

can be called upon to lay down his life.

When we were alongside the _Florida_, the officer who had us in charge,

while re-arranging the chair in which we were to be re-hoisted on

deck, proposed substituting the rebel flag in place of our own; but

our captain, with prudent tact, in an apparently indifferent manner,

said,--“This will do just as well,”--whereupon, no objection being

made, we were again wrapped in our own colors, which was doubtless

the last honorable service of the flag of the ill-fated _Jacob

Bell_. On being lowered to the deck of the steamer, and freed from

our chair-tackling, I heard a rather cultivated voice on my right,

saying,--“Please take my arm, madam.” I saw nothing, for my first

glance at the deck and the rough men with upturned faces rudely gazing

as I hung in the air, had caused both head and eyes to droop. But

woman’s natural instinct, when in a position of fearful suffering

and rude exposure, to readily and gratefully receive civility and

protection,--no matter from what source it may come,--led me to

accept the proffered arm, and suffer myself to be conducted by

Captain Maffit,--the leader of this band of buccaneers, (as he proved

to be,)--to his cabin. This was done with a cool _sang-froid_, and

also with the patronizing, host-like air of one about offering the

most agreeable hospitality. Soon the whole of our party were in the

cabin, which we were told was at our disposal; and also that the

captain’s private state-room, leading out of it, could be occupied

by one of the ladies. It was, however, only appropriated by us for

one night, it being dark and close; and we therefore abandoned it

for sleeping-purposes, greatly preferring the cabin lockers, where

mattresses--some of them taken from the _Jacob Bell_--were placed, and

the remainder of our party slept.

The knives of our crew were taken from them, and they made to sign a

paper that they would offer no resistance while on board. There had

been great haste made in transferring us, in order to follow up another

United States vessel then in sight; and it being late in the afternoon,

it was not possible for them to pillage the _Jacob Bell_ and destroy

her that night. A prize-crew was therefore put on board of her, and

told to steer in a certain direction, while we were to steam after the

“Yankee,” as they sneeringly called her; but during the evening she

managed to get out of their range; and as ours was a case of misery not

admitting of a wish for company, we silently rejoiced, giving thanks

that the prowling marauders were foiled of their prey. Our speed was

then lessened, and in the morning we were again in the neighborhood of

the _Jacob Bell_.

That was a fearful and strangely eventful day to us; and although we

had been told that our private effects would be saved, I had many

doubts in regard to the fulfilment of the promise. During the first

part of the night previous I plainly heard, from the place where I

was lying, portions of a conversation held by the ward-room officers,

who had been on board the _Jacob Bell_ for the purpose of seeing what

plunder could be taken from her. They were making out an inventory of

what things were to be brought on board the _Florida_ for their own

use; and it being evident that they were arranging for a long day’s

work, I feared that the captain would perhaps demur to the trouble of

saving and bringing on board the packages belonging to us; it, however,

never once occurred to me that they might open and plunder them there.

Before leaving the _Jacob Bell_ our captain obtained permission of

the prize-master to leave his steward and a waiting-man on board, who

were to look after his effects and our trunks of sea-clothing; which,

with our bundles and a small basket of stores that they were to put up

for us, we hoped to receive on board the _Florida_. In the morning,

on learning that Captain Frisbie had already gone on board the _Jacob

Bell_, I handed Captain Maffit, as requested, a list of the packages we

had in the ship, which having read, he returned to me, saying,--“Mrs.

W---- I cannot take all your things on board; for we have not room,

and we cannot have much on deck, as it will prevent the free working

of the guns.” I then said, “It will be very hard, Captain Maffit, to

lose all our packages; for those in the hold contain the greatest and

best part of our wardrobes, besides some household supplies, and many

other articles of rare value; and we were assured by your officer when

taken that all our private effects should be saved.” “Yes,” was the

reply, “but it is quite impossible in this case; and you must take

what you most need. I shall then allow you more than is usual in such

cases.” After this conversation I mentioned to Captain Maffit the

fact of my having a small insurance on my property, but remarked that

I was not sure of its being good for anything in this case. At his

request I then handed him the policy, which he read and returned to me,

saying,--“Yes, that is a war risk.” In a few moments after, he asked

to look at the policy again; and once more having conned it apparently

with great care, remarked, “Yes, your policy is good in this case, and

I am surprised that any one will attempt to travel with valuables in

these times without being properly insured. I advise you to leave the

insured packages. They are not numbered, and you can take whichever

parcels you please, only be sure to leave twenty packages, for if

you do not, your policy will be contested.”[43] In this seemingly

disinterested manner he advised me what to do; telling me he could

not save our property, but at the same time appeared to deplore the

necessity of the case, and expressed his regret at what I must suffer

in seeing the destruction of so much of the nice, curious, useful, and

valuable. He thus so completely deceived me that I never once suspected

his object; nor that his officers would be allowed to break open and

plunder our property. He then told us that he was going on board the

_Jacob Bell_, and would send the few packages that we were to have on

board his vessel. I directly handed him the meagre list, saying,--“Then

all the rest, Captain Maffit, must burn and go down with the ship.” I

also interceded in every possible way that I could, in order to save

Master Charlie’s large box-like trunk, which was not insured, but was

of great value to him, and was in the hold with my packages. I was

the more anxious on this point for the reason that Charlie’s father,

who was a missionary in China, was sending him home to be educated;

and the package contained books and articles of value, the loss of

which the lad would feel during his whole course of study. Charlie was

much perturbed when we were first taken; and from agitation failed to

secure the effects which he had in his state-room. It therefore became

necessary that he should go on board and look after them, and another

boat putting off for the _Jacob Bell_ soon after Captain Maffit had

gone, I obtained permission of the officer in charge for him to go on

board also.

While I was still remaining on deck the crew commenced bringing

boat-loads of property from the ship, although I am not positive

that any luggage had as yet been sent. In a short time, however, to

my amazement I observed some of the officers and crew of the pirate

coming over the side of the vessel, each with an armful of things

from my packages. There was bed and table linen, towels made up and

in the piece, articles of my wardrobe, silver plate, a box of rare

china, two chairs from Canton, Oriental table-mats, a box of India

sweetmeats, our stores, and two cases of claret; which, with the

sweetmeats, were marked with my name in full. There were also boxes

of spools of sewing-silk and sewing-cotton, boxes of pins and of

dress-trimmings, and various other articles required for personal or

housekeeping use. There was therefore no mistaking the fact that our

boxes, trunks, camphor-chests, and camphor-chest of drawers had all

been rudely broken open, and plundered by these outlaws. The _officers_

of the _Florida_--the so-called boasted _chivalry_ of the South--were

now shamelessly enacting the burglar and shop-lifter, directly before

my eyes; and carrying my property in tumbled, confused masses,--some

of it dragging and trailing on the deck,--into their ward-room. I

saw Lieutenant Reed with a huge armful of cotton-sheeting and unmade

table-linen,--grasping at the same time in one hand my cake-basket,

(the wrappers of which being torn off it was exposed to my gaze,)--rush

from the side of the ship to the ward-room entrance; when seeing that

I was watching him in mute astonishment, he dropped his eyes and

hurried below like a detected thief. This scene of pillage continued

for several hours. Finally, Charlie returned, and related to me the

scenes he had witnessed on board the _Jacob Bell_. He saw my packages

brought up from the hold of the vessel, and also saw the _officers_ of

the _Florida_ split and break them open, rummaging their contents, and

tearing off wrappers of small parcels in the greatest eagerness, which

if not desirable, or such as they could not make use of, were thrown

on deck and trodden under foot in a manner which would have almost

made an ordinary pirate blush. Laces, and other delicate fabrics,

were thus used; and a valuable bonnet was soiled and destroyed in the

same manner. Private papers also, and photographs of friends, met a

like fate; nothing, in fact, escaped their shamelessly sacrilegious

hands. There was a large number of curious, rare, and elegant Oriental

articles,--presents from friends and acquaintances in the East,--beside

many that were not only handsome, but useful, which I was bringing home

as presents for friends; all of which met the same fate. One officer

was seen examining and helping himself from a box of fans,--taking them

out one by one, and fanning himself, to see which he liked the best.

Another laid hold of a hoop-skirt, and putting it on, tripped over the

main-deck with a grace and delicacy doubtless unattainable except by a

representative of Southern _chivalry_!

While this scene of rioting and plunder was going on, Charlie begged

of them three times to save his large trunk, but was told that nothing

from the hold could be taken on board the pirate; nor was his package

brought from the hold until he left the _Jacob Bell_ to return to

the _Florida_. Then some of our crew, who were still remaining on

board the ship, saw it brought up, broken open, and plundered in the

same way they had served mine.[44] But to cap the climax of this

scene, a fat pig,--one of the animals remaining of the _Jacob Bell’s_

supplies,--was killed on her main-deck in a most barbarous manner, and

pieces of the creature being savagely cut from its sides, the marauders

took such portions as they desired, while the entrails were thrown

about the deck, where the blood had been permitted to flow in every

direction, and in which articles of my wardrobe, expensive fabrics,

family relics, and souvenirs of friends left in the East, were also

thrown, and mingled with the clotted mixture in the most offensive

and disgusting manner. After witnessing this, Charlie returned on

board the steamer, and approaching me with teeth firmly set, while

indignation flashed from his eyes, exclaimed in an undertone, “I never

was so mad in all my life! O! it was a fearful scene; I shall never

forget it;” and afterwards added--“I hope yet to meet them with a gun

in my hand!” I was frightened as well as surprised to see the gentle,

quiet boy wrought up to such a pitch of indignation; but that scene,

together with the compulsory piratical cruise of five days and nights

which followed, seemed to arouse and mature in the boy all the noble

and brave qualities of the man. He only wished that we could meet one

of our cruisers, and have an engagement with her; declaring that he

would gladly serve his country by going to the bottom, if the steamer

could be sunk, carrying down with her the piratical officers and her

crew; nor would the boy ever acknowledge to an emotion of gratitude to

Captain Maffit for the common personal civilities we received; but if

it was referred to, always said that he saw too much of the plundering

scene to desire anything but the destruction of the captain and his

officers.

There was now much confusion on the deck of the pirate. It was nearly

four o’clock, P. M., and trunks, stray articles from our packages,

boxes of the ship’s stores, and some of our own, together with a few of

the sailors’ chests, bags of sailcloth filled with clothing, and boxes

of tea, were lying about in every direction. The pirates had become so

completely engrossed in their work of plunder as to be oblivious of all

else; and before they were aware, the _Jacob Bell_, with all her sails

set, was fast drifting against the _Florida_. That was a terrible

scene. She seemed a sentient being,--“a thing of life.” There was a

little swell, but thanks to a kind Providence, no sea; and as she came

down on the _Florida_ her prow seemed absolutely to stretch eagerly

forward as if in haste to avenge her wrongs. The fires of the steamer

had been banked, and as there was no steam to enable us to back off,

for a time there was general confusion; until finally I heard Captain

Maffit giving orders to put oil and tar on the fires. By this time the

jib-boom of the _Jacob Bell_ had become entangled in the fore-rigging

of the _Florida_, and broken the ratlines; when there was an attempt

made to cut it away,--all on board of her being congregated at her bow

for this purpose. The crew of the _Jacob Bell_, as well as those of the

_Florida_, assisted by means of spars in keeping the former out of the

way; but she finally came up with greater force, getting the jib-boom

under the main-top-mast stay, but doing no serious damage. We very

soon, however, got up sufficient steam to move a little out of the way.

To say that this was a scene of imminent peril can impart but a faint

idea of the overwhelming consternation and dismay which we suffered

during these moments of intense anxiety and terror. I was already in a

pitiable condition from the alarm and agitation which a consciousness

of extreme exposure produces; and not having yet recovered from the

shock received on finding myself in the power of lawless men, this new

and crushing terror seemed to subdue and benumb every faculty.

As soon as the pirate had become disentangled from our vessel, our

captors having placed combustibles in three places on board of

the _Jacob Bell_, she was fired about four o’clock, when she was

abandoned, and we steamed away from her neighborhood. The distressing

circumstances under which we were placed rendered it impossible for us

to feel the sublimity of the spectacle she presented while the flames

crept steadily up her sails, spars, and rigging, until she became a

pyramid of fire. Not that our thoughts dwelt so much upon the wicked

destruction of property, as upon the fact that we were being completely

cut off from home and country; and knew not how, when, nor where we

could look for release. To us the last sight of our noble ship a little

before her masts fell, when with her sails and rigging all a-blaze,

she was quietly floating on, impressed us with a scene of awful

and melancholy grandeur. The sublimity of such a spectacle depends

altogether upon the circumstances under which we behold it. Our ideas

of things are merely relative, and depend for their moral effect upon

the power of association. Hence, the contemplation of any wide-spread

ruin may be the height of the sublime to a disinterested spectator;

but to another, whose worldly interests, or, as was feared in this

instance, whose life is depending upon the character and extent of the

calamity, it can be nothing else than a scene of horror and dismay.

The next day (Saturday, the 14th) we had a fair wind, and the steamer,

having only enough coals for two days’ use, was put under sail, and

her screw raised upon deck. The armament of the pirate was very heavy:

there being six sixty-eight pounders, three on each side of the ship;

and two immense guns, called chasers, one at the bow and the other

at the stern, which were said to be one hundred and twenty pounders.

There were about[45] one hundred and sixty men on board beside the

officers, the latter consisting of the captain, a sailing-master, four

lieutenants, four midshipmen, and two physicians, besides three or four

minor officers. The small arms of the _Jacob Bell_ which were taken

enabled some of the crew to supply themselves with fine cutlasses,

and thus complete their accoutrements. The lieutenants and physicians

were very young men, none being over twenty-five years old; and the

midshipmen were quite young striplings,--mere boys in fact,--but some

of them hard-looking youngsters. Both the lieutenants and midshipmen

were evidently regarded as belonging to the class called “Southern

gentlemen!” There was a Reed from Charleston, and a Floyd from

Georgia,--(of the former I shall say more by and by,)--both of the best

blood of the South, and the rest of the officers were also reputed to

be of highly respectable lineage. One officer--a young man from Mobile,

whose name I have forgotten--became so intoxicated, on some brandy we

had among our stores, that he was put under arrest, which was the only

case of discipline that occurred while we were on board. The steamer

was shockingly dirty, and in an almost filthy condition,--the deck

affording no place where a woman could remain with unsoiled skirts.

Indeed, excepting in the most miserable hovels of the foreign poor in

the outskirts of the city of New York, I never met with such disgusting

untidiness and want of cleanliness. With these surroundings personal

neatness was out of the question, and my garments became shockingly

soiled and unsightly. But _malgré_ this pitiable plight, with all its

attendant exposure to the vulgar gaze and criticisms of the low and

degraded men composing the officers and crew of the _Florida_, it was,

with the exception of an occasional emotion of contempt and righteous

indignation, entirely lost sight of in the absorbing thought and prayer

for a speedy deliverance from such an unhallowed atmosphere.

Saturday wore slowly away, and after another fearful night the Sabbath

found us again chasing one of our vessels. On such a ship as the

_Florida_ any appearance of properly regarding the day would have

presented an anomaly,--the habits of both officers and men, and the

iniquitious business in which they were engaged, being so thoroughly in

keeping with their surroundings. The crew were at work as usual during

the whole day, some scraping the masts, and all on the _qui vive_,

and animated with the idea of bagging and burning another “Yankee.”

Captain Maffit did not know that it was Sunday until the fact was

alluded to by one of our number in his presence, which caused him to

exclaim,--“Sunday! Is it Sunday? I did not think of its being Sunday!”

The burden of our prayers during the day was for the final escape of

their anticipated victim, which proved to be a schooner, and got rid

of her pursuers by skilful management, obliging them to tack ship

repeatedly. The crew of the pirate, not being experienced sailors, were

awkward and slow in performing their duties. They were mostly composed

of the lowest class of Irish, with some few English and Scotch,--most

of whom had formerly been in the rebel army, and were mere tyros in

nautical matters. Captain Maffit told us, however, that he had drilled

them at the guns until they could manage them with great celerity and

effect.

Early in the afternoon Captain Frisbie, on coming below, remarked

that we were gaining on the schooner, and he feared she would be

taken; and at a later hour Captain Maffit descended into the cabin

with a countenance beaming from delighted exultation, and, throwing

something of the theatrical into his air and manner, seated himself,

remarking,--“Well, I fear there is ‘one more unfortunate’!” He did

not proceed with the quotation, but it was continued in some of our

hearts by the supplication,--God forbid that she should come “to her

death” by you and your lawless crew! It is almost needless to add that

we secretly rejoiced and gave thanks, when, as the shadows of evening

gathered around us, the expected prey escaped.

When the _Jacob Bell_ was captured we had nearly used up all our fresh

animal food, and there was but little poultry and one pig remaining.

To the killing and disposing of the latter I have already alluded. The

few fowls left were also killed and taken on board the _Florida_, and

we were once served with a dish of them, and once with the fresh pork.

With these exceptions, we lived almost entirely upon salt-beef and

pork, together with a little rice and hard biscuit. Captain Maffit said

he gave us the best he had, and professed to regret not having better

for the ladies. Our food, however, was of little moment, no one having

the heart to expend any thought upon our common sea-fare, and some of

us being too ill to care for such matters. We suffered most from want

of good water,--that on board the _Florida_ being condensed steam, and

evidently produced in a defective apparatus, which imparted to it so

strong a taste of kreosote that one could scarcely swallow it. Indeed

we feared that it was injurious, and dared not drink it; nor was the

tea and coffee made of it at all palatable.

All but one of the packages promised me from the _Jacob Bell_ were sent

on board; that contained a valuable article,--a present from a French

baron, formerly one of the French legation at the court of Peking, but

now Commissioner of the Imperial Customs at Fuh-chau. Captain Maffit,

on being told of its elegance and rare value, and that it was in a

part of the ship near my state-room where it could be readily found,

and transferred with our trunks of sea-clothing, and Captain Frisbie’s

luggage to the steamer, said, in an earnest manner, “Mrs. W----, you

shall have the box, and I will see that it is sent on board”; but on

returning to his own vessel very coolly said that he had looked for

it, but it could not be found. I was not sensible of any feeling of

indignation in relation to the pillaging and wanton destruction of our

property. A kind Providence had ordered that the stunning effect of

our unexpected capture should render me unfit to care for or realize

the loss of my property; nor, with the exception of some occasional

agitation,--when a view of our terribly fearful position, and the

perils with which we were environed flashed across my mind,--was I

conscious of any emotion, but was much like Dr. Livingstone when the

lion’s paw was on him,--“without feeling.”

Captain Maffit had said, when we were first taken, that we would be

only two or three days on board his ship, as he would probably, by

that time, meet some friendly vessel, and be able to transfer us,

but if not, he would take us into a neutral port; yet day after day

we continued sailing in every direction, and unfurling the flag of

whatever nation best suited his purpose, in order the more successfully

to play the corsair. In the course of three days the debilitating

effects of the increasing heat warned me that we were again seeking

the heat of the tropics; and nearly at the same time the fact that

the captain feared to attempt entering a neutral port, and that in

essaying to do so we must run the risk of an encounter with some of

our Government cruisers, began to dawn upon my excited imagination,

making the possibility of an early release from our unhappy condition

seem more remote than ever. This unnatural excitement was followed by

great depression,--a sort of despair,--under which nature gave way,

and, like a child, I could not allude to our painful situation without

weeping. Despair is said to give courage to the weak, but it failed

in my case; and when the day closed, and the gloom of night settled

around us, the fear and anxiety which seemed to make up the sum of

those dismal hours may be perhaps imagined, but no description of their

terrors can be given which will not fall short of the reality. A soul

suspended in Dante’s “Limbo” could scarcely be more hopeless. We could

not disrobe, but laid ourselves down to rest in the clothes worn during

the day. Sleep was far from being the “sweet restorer,” and every

movement of the armament above, or noise about the ship, roused me,

until everything seemed one confused and horrid nightmare. One night,

after slumbering a short time, I was awakened by an unusual noise on

deck, and as the wind had increased, and we were sailing more rapidly,

I feared that a heavy gale was approaching. The most courageous rarely

desire a repetition of a storm at sea, and the timid are always

agonized in the prospect of one. Belonging to the latter class, an

undefinable sensation of fear and dread seized me. There was no light

in the cabin, but quickly rising and groping in the dark as best I

could, I reached the companion-way, and on climbing the stairs, a man

stationed at the top, armed _cap-à-pie_, forcibly reminded me of our

captivity. Fearful of giving offence, I asked the sentinel to excuse

me, and added that I was very timid at sea, and observing that the wind

seemed to be increasing, feared that we were about to have a gale. The

man,--who was one of the rough crew,--after civilly assuring me that

all was right, and that we had only a fine breeze, added, “I knows

you’s not fit for the likes of this.” There was real kindness of heart

in the tones of Erin, and I was sorry that the “likes of him” should be

engaged in so desperate a business. I afterwards learned that several

of the crew from Mobile and New Orleans, in private conversation with

the crew of the _Jacob Bell_, deplored being on the _Florida_; but said

that they had been compelled to ship so as to get food, as they were

without employment and without means. Moreover they expressed regret

that they also were not to be transferred to a neutral vessel, or to be

landed at some port from whence they could go to the North.

I knew nothing of Captain Maffit’s antecedents, nor of his standing

when an officer in our navy. I learned, however, from Captain Frisbie,

that he had at one time been attached to the coast-survey, and that

his charts were much used by mariners. The captain himself valued

them highly, and spoke of the author as having been one of the first

officers in our service in point of ability. When we were first taken

on board the _Florida_ he simulated the air and tone of an honorable

man, and stoutly disclaimed all wish or intention to war on women and

children, telling us that all our private effects should be respected

and saved for us, and was altogether so civil that although we could

only look upon him as a sort of buccaneer, we were led to hope that he

might still retain enough of the elements belonging to the character

of a _civilized_ man of the nineteenth century, as to really mean what

he said; in other words, we did not suppose that it was a part of his

code of chivalry to impose upon a defenceless woman and child. In

this, however, we were mistaken; for with the exception of a box of

Captain Frisbie’s china which was stolen by the ward-room officers,

and the general pilfering practised by the pirates upon the powerless

crew of the _Jacob Bell_, Master Charlie and I _were the only persons

plundered_; and Captain Maffit, notwithstanding his fine words, seemed

to make us the special objects of his treachery. He affected to

regret the necessity which he was under of destroying our captain’s

favorite ship, and pretended to be sorry that the charts and most of

the nautical instruments belonged to the latter, as the orders of his

Government were imperative, and obliged him to take them as his prize.

He was very sorry such misfortunes should fall upon men like Captain

Frisbie, but assured him that all his private property should be

saved; and all of it, consisting of several trunks and chests, beside

a number of well-filled sailcloth bags, and four boxes of china, were

taken on board the _Florida_. All of this property but one box of china

(to which reference has already been made) was safely transferred to

the Danish bark. The officers probably kept the one box of china by

order of their captain, so as to give the impression that they had not

expended all their purloining energies upon us.

While on the deck of the _Florida_, the day after the burning of the

_Jacob Bell_, one of the officers did the agreeable by offering to

lend me books to read; but looking at him with surprise, I directly

exclaimed,--“Books! it would be impossible for me to read just

now,--neither in body or mind am I equal to the task!” It certainly

betokened a great degree of impudence and hardihood, for one to assist

in the plundering of our private effects, and then unblushingly attempt

to recommend himself in this way to my regard. I also had, during

the same day, a few words of conversation with another officer in

regard to the rebellion; in the course of which he made some malicious

remark that led me to say,--“We do not hate you as you seem to hate

us. Why is it that you at the South hate the North so much?” With the

coolest effrontery he answered,--“We have more reason to hate you.”

The tone and manner in which this was said was too much even for the

benumbed senses of a powerless and defenceless woman, and I quickly

answered,--“No, you have not, sir. I feel that I am suffering in a good

cause, nor should you hear a murmur from me were I strong and in good

health.” Thus to beard the lion in his den was unquestionably imprudent

and unsafe; but the unmitigated arrogance and impertinence of one who,

from what we had experienced, could be classed only among shoplifters,

was rather too much for our sense of honor to let pass unrebuked, and

the words leaped from my lips like the “stir of an unbidden thought.”

Although outwardly civil, it required no extraordinary power to

see plainly that, could it have served their purpose and benefited

their cause, it would have cost them no pang to act the pirate to

the _death_, as they were acting it to the life; but to carry their

feelings of hatred to such an extent, they well knew, would array the

whole civilized world against them.

Captain Maffit boasted of his daughter, and related the circumstance

of the capture of the rebel vessel--in which she was going from Nassau

to Charleston--when attempting to run the blockade. He commented

with great _goût_ upon her bravery, in telling the Government

officials--before whom she had to appear in New York--that she

acknowledged no Government but that of the Southern Confederacy, and

no President but Jeff. Davis. He also told us of a letter written by

his youngest son, in which the hopeful youth requested his father

to “send him a Yankee’s head with the teeth all in!!!” The boy, we

understood him to say, was only _five years old_![46] None of us

dared to give utterance to the thoughts suggested on hearing of so

savage a request from such a child,--if, indeed, the child ever made

it;--and it is difficult to think that Christendom, in this age of the

world, is capable of producing a father willing thus to advertise the

disgustingly precocious ferocity of his little son. The bloody request

indicated the Nero-like training to which the child had been subjected,

and the malicious hatred he was already capable of bearing towards his

kind. If this is the child, what will be the horrid proportions of the

man?

From a late New York paper--for the perusal of which we were indebted

to Captain Maffit--we learned of the noble generosity of the merchants

of that city, in sending a ship loaded with food to the starving

Lancashire operatives; and on observing the name of A. A. Low,

Esq.,--the owner of the _Jacob Bell_,--as one of the most active in

that work of mercy, we involuntarily looked around the cabin, the

finishing of which, with all its furniture and fixtures, told us what

was too true, that to England--or rather to a class of her grasping and

unprincipled merchants and cotton-brokers--Mr. Low owed the loss of his

ship, and we our fearful perils and captivity. Whatever else may be

forgotten, it certainly is to be hoped that when the history of this

war is written, the noble and truly Christian manner in which the New

York merchants returned good for evil will not be lost sight of.

Captain Maffit was much in the cabin during the day, making himself

very facetious, and was always full of anecdote. He often mentioned

incidents in regard to the rebellion,--giving us what he termed the

truth as to the condition and suffering of the North,--which, not then

knowing his true character, and having been months without news from

the United States, gave us painful uneasiness.

On the afternoon of Monday, February 16th, we were in hot pursuit of

a bark that bore the French flag, and early in the evening, getting

within hailing distance, brought her to without firing a gun. She was

boarded by some of the piratical officers, and proved to be what her

colors indicated; and being direct from the island of Martinique, bound

to Havre, the pirates neither gained a prize nor were able to dispose

of us by transferring us, as passengers, on board of her. This was a

sad disappointment, for we had hoped she might prove a neutral vessel

bound to some of the West India islands, and be willing to take us to

her port of destination. But another long night, with its doubts and

fears and weary hours, came and passed away, when, with heavier and

more hopeless hearts, we greeted the morning of the 17th, the evening

of which day was to bring the wished-for release.

As usual, the beardless midshipmen, armed to the teeth, were constantly

ascending aloft and prowling at the mast-head, or on some of the

higher parts of the rigging, watching for more prey; when, early in

the afternoon, some one of them on the lookout descried a sail far off

upon the horizon, which, from the whiteness of her canvas, as well as

from its arrangement, was pronounced a “Yankee.” The _Florida_ was

put speedily on her track, but not until late in the afternoon were

we sufficiently near the stranger to enable Captain Maffit to play

the decoy; which he essayed to do this time by unfurling the English

flag at the mast-head. The bark then ran up the colors of Denmark,

and, courting our vicinage, seemed for a time to be bearing towards

us. At the sight of the strange flag, (for strange it was, indeed, not

one of the officers or crew of the pirate being sufficiently versed

in nautical matters to tell to what nation it belonged,) there was an

extraordinary fluttering among these highly cultivated and well-read

(?) men, which finally ended in their referring to the officers of the

_Jacob Bell_ for the desired information. This point being settled by

our not overlettered “Yankee” captain, and the bark not appearing to

be in any hurry about courting our acquaintance, but, if anything,

gradually shying off from us, Captain Maffit sailed more directly for

her, and in the evening, after eight o’clock, fired one of his guns at

her, which brought her to, and an officer boarded her.

Captain Maffit had told us in the afternoon that, should the bark

prove to be a Danish vessel, bound for any of the islands, he should

transfer us to her in case they would take us as passengers. We were,

therefore, in no ordinary state of solicitude,--not daring to hope for

our release, for fear of meeting with another painful disappointment.

The boat returned from the bark, and, after a little consultation

among the pirates, was despatched a second time. It was already quite

dark, and we, to all outward appearances quiet and composed, were

sitting in the cabin,--the prey to thoughts and emotions which cannot

be expressed,--silently awaiting our fate. When the boat returned for

the second time, Captain Maffit held a consultation with several of

his officers on a retired portion of the deck; after which, descending

into the cabin, he told us that the vessel was a Dane, bound for the

island of St. Thomas, and that her captain had consented to take us as

passengers. Then, turning to Captain Frisbie, he said: “What do you say

to taking her?” “I say take her; any port in a storm,” quickly replied

the captain. It was then after nine o’clock. The sky was clear, and

a few stars were shining, but there was no moon. There was, also, a

sharp breeze, and considerable swell in the ocean; enough, certainly,

to impress us with a sense of the formidable character of the adventure

which we were about to make, the fearfulness of which now flashed upon

our minds in all its appalling reality. It was like being on the roof

of a house with all on fire beneath and around. Liberty, and life,

for aught we knew, both depended upon facing the danger, and it did

not take us long to understand and weigh the dreadful contingencies

of the case; but, trusting ourselves to the guiding hand of that same

kind Providence who had hitherto protected us, and hoping to reach the

deck of the friendly bark in safety, we gathered up the remnant of our

luggage, and prepared to take our departure.

We have already mentioned the fact that the officers of the _Florida_,

although _high-minded Southern gentlemen_, were possessed of decidedly

large organs of acquisitiveness. True to their natural or cultivated

instincts, they could not let us depart without practising a little

more of their honorable handicraft. When our luggage was brought out

and piled on deck, just before our departure, we were assured that

all of it should be safely sent on board. We had an undefined fear

that some of it would be retained, but dared not intimate to Captain

Maffit that we should like our things taken on board _first_, for fear

of giving offence, and involving ourselves in some new trouble. We

therefore concluded to patiently await the issue of events; but, as

will be seen in the sequel, our fears proved well founded.

The reader must not lose sight, in what follows, of the fact that

Captain Maffit had all along led me to believe that from kindly motives

he had done all he could to protect us and our effects; and that, could

he have controlled the pillagers, our packages would have remained

untouched to burn with the ship. He also asserted that he had allowed

us to have all the luggage he could, and that he greatly regretted

we should have been so unfortunate. With these things in mind, the

conversation held with him as he accompanied us from the companion-way

of his cabin nearly to the bow of the vessel, where we were again

to be lowered into the boat that was to receive us, will be readily

understood; but we had little idea of the extent of the deception which

he was again to practise upon us.

After remarking, as we passed the pile of luggage, that we had placed

ours there, hoping it would all reach us safely, Captain Maffit

said,--“It shall all be sent on board, Mrs. W----.” I then expressed

my thanks for his civilities, adding, that we were grateful for

his protection, and that our friends would also be thankful that,

in our misfortunes, we personally had fared so well; whereupon he

remarked something about it being very disagreeable for ladies to be

situated as we had been, and expressed himself as extremely sorry

for not having been able to make us more comfortable; after which

I remarked,--“Captain Maffit, if you are taken, we hope you may be

treated as well as you have treated us.” Responding quickly, he

said,--“I hope I shall not be taken at all.” I dared not, in the midst

of such surroundings, say, as I must, if a reply were given, that I

wished him to be taken, and therefore was silent. Meanwhile we walked

several steps, when the captain, divining my thoughts, continued,--“But

I suspect, Mrs. W----, that you wish I may be taken?” This said

interrogatively, enabled me to escape from my dilemma by the ready

rejoinder,--“I shall not pray for it, Captain Maffit.” He then assisted

me to disembark, and shaking hands, said, with great show of fervor

and sincerity,--“Goodbye, God bless you”; which piece of acting being

concluded, I was soon over the side of his disgusting vessel and being

let down into the boat. This undertaking was no less perilous than our

transfer to the bark, nor did we face either with undaunted nerves.

It was now half past nine o’clock. The steamer was rolling and

pitching a good deal, and the wind had increased until the white caps,

notwithstanding it was quite dark, were plainly visible. I shall not

soon forget the terror experienced while suspended over the boat. Her

appearance was as frail as a cockle-shell, and being tossed about

like a feather, she was continually rising and falling with the sea,

which rendered it difficult to keep her properly off from the steamer.

While thus suspended, Captain Frisbie, sailor-like, clambered over

and down the side of the vessel, and getting into the boat, called

out,--“Now let her down easy.” Down went the chair for a moment, and

then came the cry,--“Hold on! be careful! get her more from the side of

the ship.” For a few moments a state of rest, with both mind and body

_in suspension_, followed; then, again, was heard,--“Now, easy”; then

up came the boat, reaching nearly to the top of the ship’s bulwarks;

but directly I was lowered, and, being freed from the chair, grasped

nervously the gunwale of the boat, and sitting down, awaited in dread

and dismay the hoisting and lowering, in the same way, of the captain’s

wife. The sailors then assisted Master Charlie and the captain’s little

son down the ship’s side; and all being ready, we left, and were rowed

half a mile in the darkness, through the breaking sea, while our boat

leaked so much, that, although there was constant bailing, the water

gained on us so fast that it was soon over the tops of my slippers, and

I could feel and calculate its increase of depth. I observed that the

sailors used great care, aiming to keep the boat in such a position

that she would ride the waves as safely as possible; but Charlie,

who sat near the bow, said that we twice came near shipping a sea and

being submerged. On approaching the bark we found her also rolling and

pitching fearfully, and the idea of getting sufficiently near her side

to be taken on board seemed truly formidable; but, by God’s blessing,

we also passed safely through this peril, and finding ourselves on her

deck, were relieved of an herculean weight of anxiety and hopeless

fear, such as no one can feel or understand unless made to pass through

the same terrible ordeal.

The name of the bark was the _Morning Star_, then eight days from New

York, and bound to the island of St. Thomas. She was in reality what

the pirates first suspected, a “Yankee”; but having been recently sold,

and placed under Danish colors, was saved from sharing the fate of the

_Jacob Bell_. Like most of the small trading-vessels plying between New

York and the West Indies, she was prepared to carry a few passengers,

and had a nice cabin, with comfortable accommodations. We were received

and welcomed on board in the most humane and kindly manner,--the

captain directly giving up his private cabin, and having it arranged

with two berths, for the use of Mrs. Frisbie and myself. Indeed, this

little _Morning Star_, (Sterling, master,) proved herself a whole

constellation of light, hope, and joy to us; her captain also proved a

_sterling_ commander; nor shall we cease being grateful to her officers

for their warm-hearted civility and kindness.

It was after eleven o’clock when all the luggage was said to have been

brought on board. The breeze had still further increased, and we were

put under sail as speedily as possible; the captain and officers of the

bark meanwhile congratulating one another on having escaped unscathed,

and evidently glad to widen the distance between themselves and the

pirate as fast as possible. I reached the deck of the bark not only

with wet feet, but with the lower part of the skirts of my garments

in the same uncomfortable condition. In my hand-trunk, it will be

remembered, had been put what would make me comfortable in such an

emergency; but the steward, after looking for it among the luggage as

thoroughly as the confused state of things and the imperfect light of a

lantern would permit, reported that it could not be found. We therefore

conjectured that it was hidden under the pile of luggage, and would

probably come to light in the morning. Happily Charlie was enabled,

soon after we reached the cabin of the bark, to get at his trunk of

clothing designed for the homeward voyage, and brought me a pair of

his woollen hose, which were a comfortable substitute for my wet ones.

The little trunk, however, not being found, I was compelled to seek

another night’s rest in the same condition of personal discomfort in

which we all slept on board the _Florida_.

In the morning my hand-trunk was still missing. It was secured by two

locks; and, as already mentioned, was full to repletion with what was

then to me more valuable than gold, and without which I must not only

suffer, perhaps disastrously, from the cold weather on our coast, but

be deprived of the means of making a respectable toilette. Through all

the destruction of our property I had not thus far shed a tear for any

of the many sacredly associated treasures destroyed so ruthlessly by

men worse than Goth or Vandal; but the fact of the complete destitution

to which I was reduced, in being deprived of all means of personal

tidiness and womanly comfort, was too much, and the tears could not be

repressed. My two trunks used for sea-clothing on the voyage were sent

on board, but nearly all the supplies they contained when we left China

having been worn and soiled, had been put into a large clothes-hamper,

which was one of the lost packages. I was not certain, even, that I

had clothes enough remaining to give myself a respectable garb; nor

was it convenient, while on the bark, to get at the trunks in order

to make a proper examination. Fortunately, on retiring I had placed

my wet stockings where they dried during the night, and, as a dernier

resort, was glad to be able to put them on again in the morning.

Finding, also, in the counterpane bundle a forlorn old delaine frock,

only intended to be worn in times of wretched sea-sickness, (when one,

in order to recover, must be on deck in all kinds of weather,) it was

soon appropriated, enabling my personal appearance to be only that of

bare decency; while Miss Flora McFlimsey’s complaint of “nothing to

wear,” (minus only the poetry,) came home to me in all the eloquence

of _unadorned_ truth. Perhaps some of the ungrateful Floras among my

countrywomen might have learned a valuable lesson by being put to

such straits; but I could not be wicked enough to wish any of them a

taste of my experience unless they make themselves morally monstrous

by claiming to sympathize with the Southern rebels, and boast of their

disloyalty to our Government. For the thorough-bred Southern woman,

with her rebelliously educated heart, I have much pitiful regard; but

none for the shameless Northern defamer of her Government and the land

of her birth.

On further search it was discovered, that besides the small trunk,

the outlaws had kept a small package, well tied up with a rope, which

contained a folding-chair, designed for sea-travel; a large fur

rug from the Amoor River, which had been purchased at Fuh-chau, for

comfort and protection from the cold as we neared the coast; an East

India pillow, covered with fine matting, and a most desirable article

in the tropics; and a silk sun-umbrella, having an outer covering of

white calico, after the fashion of the East, together with several

other articles of value from association. On leaving the pirate we had

little thought of losing the trunk, but did have some fears that the

roped package might be retained. When obtaining permission for the

folding-chair to be brought on board the _Florida_ with the rest of our

luggage, I was careful not to tell Captain Maffit that it was made of a

piece of oak taken from the old English man-of-war _Minden_, on board

of which Mr. Key, during his imprisonment, wrote the “Star-Spangled

Banner”; but Charlie, on returning from the _Jacob Bell_ to the steamer

on the day of the plundering, said that Captain Frisbie had very

unwisely informed Captain Maffit of its origin, and that when it was

about to be taken into the boat in order to be transferred, Captain

Maffit forbade it, remarking, that it could not be taken off the

_Jacob Bell_. I had, however, been very intent upon saving an article

so sacred by reason of its associations, and had asked a subordinate

officer of the _Florida_--who went on board the _Jacob Bell_ at about

the time his captain left her--if he would be so kind as to see the

chair sent on board. Not knowing the order of his superior in regard

to the matter, he did so; and being on deck when it was handed over

the side of the steamer, I gladly pressed forward to receive it; to

which no one objecting, (I think Captain Maffit was present,) it was

deposited with other articles in our cabin. The fact that, during the

afternoon we were in pursuit of the Danish bark, Captain Maffit had

informed Captain Frisbie of his hoping, at about night-fall, to get us

taken on board as passengers, led us to make some little preparation

towards our desired departure; and while Charlie was engaged in

arranging and tying up the package, (already described as containing

the chair,) Captain Maffit entered the cabin, and after looking

thoughtfully at the boy for a few moments, said,--“Why, Charlie, you

are beginning early to prepare for leaving.” I then repeated what we

understood he had said to Captain Frisbie, remarking, that we thought

it the better way, in order not to cause any delay, to be partly in

readiness; that the fur rug would, in my delicate state of health, be

an important article of comfort in helping to shield me from the severe

cold as we approached our coast; and that nearly all the articles

in the package were necessary to our wants. He said nothing more,

but sat some minutes longer, regarding our movements in thoughtful

silence. I watched his countenance narrowly, and in spite of the mask,

at other times so effectually worn, read his thoughts so completely to

my satisfaction, that the moment he went on deck I said to my young

friend,--“Captain Maffit does not mean we shall have these things.” We

did not, however, allow ourselves to think that he could be so cruelly

contemptible as to retain them by stealth. All the articles, except

the chair, were doubtless appropriated to his own use; and the latter,

if not destroyed, was probably kept as a trophy, which, in connection

with the loyal people of the North, will be made a subject of abuse and

wanton ridicule.

The fact that the following incidents, which occurred during the first

two or three days of our capture, did not really open my eyes to the

character of the man with whom we had to deal, may seem extraordinary;

but fright and anxiety, together with my unprotected and helpless

position, had rendered me very timid, and strangely stupefied my

faculties.

In giving Master Charlie’s description of the plundering scene, I have

spoken of the articles discarded and thrown on the deck of the _Jacob

Bell_ by the marauders. Some few of these articles were picked up by

the boy, and Captain Maffit being near, told him that anything thus

procured could be presented to me, and be accepted, without injuring my

insurance. On returning to the _Florida_, he repeated the same thing

to me; and just then seeing a new table-cloth, with a dozen napkins

to match,--(which I recognized as belonging to my trunk of table and

bed linen,)--hanging over the rail, or side of the companion-way, I

said,--“And are these, also, for me?” “No, those belong to the ship,”

Captain Maffit quickly replied, and soon after they were taken to his

cabin. Captain Maffit’s table, where we were entertained, was also

found ornamented, at every meal, with my very nice and rare Oriental

table-mats. There were two sets, each of a different style; and both

kinds were indiscriminately used at the same meal. The silver taken

from the _Jacob Bell_ was also used at our table, while mine, as I

shall show presently, was kept in the ward-room. Some who admire

and sympathize with the self-styled gentlemen and polished officers

commanding the rebel piratical vessels, may perhaps regard the placing

so many familiar objects before us as only an evidence of their high

breeding and kind desire to make our surroundings as pleasant and

home-like as possible!

One day, when speaking of our losses and remarking on the pillaging,

Captain Maffit, after saying that he could not control his officers nor

prevent it, related how, at the time, one officer came to him, after a

package of Oriental articles had been broken open, and told him that

“now was the time for him to get a beautiful present for his daughter”;

and how he replied to him,--“When I want to make my daughter a present

I’ll pay for it.” To appreciate these incidents one should have seen

the fine acting, and the very proper emotion to suit the sentiment,

expressed in the captain’s face. A few days after our arrival in New

York, an old Southern friend--a native of Charleston, and a branch of a

family in high position in that city--informed us that Captain Maffit

married a widow, Mrs. Reed, of Charleston, who was a Laurens, and of

one of the most opulent families of that city. Lieutenant Reed is her

son, and therefore Captain Maffit’s step-son.[47] This young Lieutenant

Reed superintended the officers who broke open and plundered our

property. After seeing a part of our silver carried into the ward-room,

and mentioning the fact to Captain Maffit’s steward that some of the

spoons were very valuable to me from family associations, and that I

should like to get them, he told some one of the officers our wishes,

but quickly returned, merely remarking, that Lieutenant Reed had

ordered our silver taken into the ward-room, and from his manner we

readily understood that it was useless to beg further for anything.

Captain Maffit was undoubtedly in collusion with Lieutenant Reed, and

not only ordered him how to proceed in the plundering, but directed

that all the valuables should be taken into the ward-room, where they

remained until we left the steamer. There is no question in my mind

that the box, containing the valuable article from Peking,--which

Captain Maffit coolly told me could not be found,--was at that time in

Lieutenant Reed’s possession, and being safely kept for the captain,

who was thus enabled to present his daughter not only with a beautiful,

but a magnificent gift. The fact, also, that my small hand-trunk was

well secured with two locks, and that I was careful to take it with me

into the boat which conveyed us from the _Jacob Bell_ to the pirate,

probably inclined Captain Maffit and his officers to fancy that it

might contain costly articles of jewelry; and the former, led by his

cupidity, ordered it not to be delivered on board the Danish bark.

Had Captain Maffit, instead of masking his designs under this cowardly

hypocrisy, at once told us that all the property on board the _Jacob

Bell_ was his prize, and that the most desirable and valuable things

we had he and his officers wanted and _would_ have, he would have

commanded our respect as a straightforward, out-spoken, fearless

enemy,--a sort of honorable freebooter,--who, although a traitor to the

best of Governments, had not yet fallen so low as to be beneath either

pity or contempt.

The captain of the _Morning Star_ said that we were about two hundred

miles north of the island of Sombrero when he took us on board; and

as we had a fair breeze during the 18th and 19th, on the morning of

the 20th we passed this island, together with that of St. Johns,

entering the harbor of the island of St. Thomas a little after

noon of the same day. The scenery in the vicinity of the harbor is

attractive and lovely; and the little town--which is most picturesquely

situated--consists chiefly of one long street lined with buildings,

with an occasional dwelling perched on the bold hill-side or distant

mountain-slope. The houses are mostly of brick, of one story, and are

built and tiled in the Dutch fashion. I had neither heart nor strength

to go on shore, to view and enjoy the scenery to better advantage;

nor did I, in all my travels, visit any other place with such painful

indifference. The desire and hope of being spared to get safely out

of the tropics, and to reach home and friends, absorbed every other

thought; and having entire possession of my being was the burden of all

my reflections. Therefore, waiting only to learn how and when we could

proceed on our journey to New York, we remained on the bark.

Although annoyed at the necessity, it seemed highly imprudent in

Master Charlie and I--unprotected as we were--to risk sailing further

under any but a neutral flag; and learning that the _Delta_--an

English mail-steamer of the Cunard line, plying between St. Thomas and

Halifax--was in port, and would leave on her return voyage, _via_ the

island of Bermuda, the next day at twelve o’clock, we hoped to take

passage in her. Although this was a circuitous route, and the winter

passage from Bermuda to Halifax was usually very tempestuous, if not

perilous, it nevertheless seemed to be the most direct and safe way for

us to get home, unless we chose to remain in the tropics a month or two

longer.

On the morning of the 21st, Mr. Edgar, our consul at St. Thomas, a

gentleman of pleasing address and refined manners, came on board to

see if any of the crew of the _Jacob Bell_ would ship for a year’s

cruise in the United States man-of-war _Alabama_, which, together with

two other of our vessels of war, was then lying in the harbor. The

_Alabama_ left at noon of that day, and steamed off in pursuit of

the _Florida_. An opportunity presenting itself, I informed Mr. Edgar

of our situation and wishes; whereupon he kindly advised us to take

the Bermuda and Halifax route,--it being our best course,--and kindly

begging me not to be anxious, nor to trouble myself any further as

to our arrangements, said he would see that our passage was promptly

secured.

Our few preparations were immediately made, and Captain Frisbie,

who had gone on shore with Mr. Edgar, returning with our tickets,

accompanied us to the steamer. Our shabbily forlorn and _bizarre_

personal appearance, as we went on board the _Delta_, would have struck

strangers as irresistibly amusing, had not the tale of our misfortunes

preceded us. Our trunks were much soiled and marred,--one so much so

as to render it necessary to be lashed together with a rope; and not

having had an opportunity to pack away the contents of our counterpane

bundle, nor the little bag of books, but taking them as originally

tied up in our state-room into the boat with us, it may be safely said

that we made up a picture, the _tout ensemble_ of which must have been

painfully ludicrous, and as thoroughly emigrant-like as any one could

desire.

Through the humane and thoughtful kindness of Mr. Edgar, we were put

in charge of Captain T. W. Walker, who, being on his return from

India to his home in Boston, had also taken passage in the _Delta_. It

was a gracious Providence that placed us in the care of one so kind

and gentlemanly, and who did so much to change the current of our

thoughts, then so sadly perturbed by the perils and anxieties through

which we had passed. We shall ever hold him in grateful remembrance

for his inestimable services and unfailing attention throughout the

voyage, with its numerous detentions, until he had placed us safely

in the hands of friends who met us at the Boston wharf. We also found

Captain Hunter--the commander of the _Delta_--to be a noble specimen

of the generous and polite English sailor, and indefatigable in his

efforts to make us comfortable and happy. This kind interest in our

welfare continued after our arrival in Halifax; and we shall not forget

his active exertions in regard to our comfort on board the _Arabia_,

nor his thoughtful message in relation to us, which we learned after

leaving for Boston, he had sent to Captain Anderson and his officers.

I have spoken in another place of not having been able, while on

board the friendly bark, to make any change in my clothing; nor was

that luxury enjoyed until we went on board the _Delta_. We were there

provided with a large state-room, where our luggage, bundles, and all,

were deposited and examined; and for the first time (it being the ninth

day after our capture) I made a thorough change of toilette.

We had a fine run, and were soon out of the withering heat of the

tropics, and beginning to feel the life-renewing and bracing influence

of a more northern atmosphere. With a change of climate our courage

also revived, and we dared to look once more towards the dear home-land

with grateful hope; losing our thoughts in the fond expectation of

again meeting those from whom we had so long been severed, and to whom,

it at one time seemed, we never should return.

The morning of the 24th of February found us within sight of the island

of Bermuda. When a few miles out a pilot came alongside, and an old

colored man was soon piloting us into the beautifully picturesque

harbor of St. George. The keen, vigilant eye of this man seemed to

pierce beyond the narrow, but lovely passage, we were entering; and

when standing upon the upper deck,--his tall and straight figure, with

head thrown back, and his dexter-finger pointing, now to the right

and then to the left,--strongly reminded us of an oracular seer. The

water of St. George’s harbor is very pellucid, and the beautiful coral

formations at the bottom can be distinctly seen as you pass to the

shore. Our stay at this island--which is a gem of the sea--was only

for twenty-four hours, but long enough for us to visit the beautiful

scenes in the vicinity of St. George, and to be charmed with the mere

_coup d’œil_ we took of them. Under more auspicious circumstances we

should have been glad to remain there a month, as one of its opulent

citizens kindly proposed we should do, in order to recruit for our

further voyage to Halifax. Carrying wherever we went, with the story of

our misfortunes, the first news of the destruction of the richest prize

that had been taken by the rebel pirates, we naturally became objects

of peculiar interest, and while on our little sight-seeing excursion to

the settlement and vicinity of St. George, met with acts of civility

and delicate kindness that deeply touched our hearts.

There were two long, low, lead-colored, sidewheeled English steamers,

designed for running the blockade, lying in the port when we arrived;

one of which was already loaded with merchandise, and was getting up

steam to leave for Charleston as we sailed for Halifax. There was a

rumor that she had caused a great dearth in the article of ladies’

gloves, her owners having purchased the entire stock of the little town

of St. George to take to the ladies of Charleston.

Our passage from Bermuda to Halifax--especially through the Gulf

Stream--was very boisterous, and attended with some peril. During

our entire voyage from China--with the exception of the gale we

encountered at the Cape of Good Hope--we experienced nothing comparable

to it, and sometimes it seemed as though our little steamer must be

engulfed. But Captain Hunter was an experienced and ready officer,

evidently possessing, even to the uninitiated in nautical matters,

that _savoir-faire_ in his profession, which, united to his calm

self-reliance and frank, gentlemanly bearing, banished anxiety, and

gave us the greatest confidence in his ability and skill. The winter

is too severe and stormy on this route for women, unless compelled

by necessity, to incur the hazards of the season; hence I was the

only female among the passengers. Our fellow-travellers were few, and

mostly English gentlemen. Some of them were in Her Majesty’s service,

and seemed amazed at the pirate-like treatment which we had received

from such brave and high-minded _gentlemen_ as, they supposed, were to

be found among the officers of the “Confederate privateers!” Captain

Walker had formerly been in our naval service, and between him and

our English friends there was every day more or less earnest, but

calm and reasonable, conversation in regard to the unhappy state of

our country, as well as to the position and relative merits of the

controversy between the North and South; but no unkind remarks were

made, nor did I hear even so much as a bit of pleasantry repeated, at

the expense of our Government, in my presence.

One officer, after questioning us somewhat closely and hearing our

story, expressed surprise, remarking that he, as well as most of his

countrymen, had got the impression that the “privateers”--as the

English persist in calling them--_never_ destroyed private property,

and were always careful not only to protect the passengers themselves,

but also their luggage. He also said that if our property was insured

in such a way that, by taking any part of it, the policy would be

invalidated, Captain Maffit--had he wished to do the upright and noble

thing--could have taken my silver, and some other articles which were

valuable from family and other associations, and presented them to

me. He considered that the conduct of Captain Maffit and his officers

was very unlike that of the noble English sailor; and that all the

particulars in relation to the destruction of our property, together

with the final stealing of a part of the remnant of what Captain Maffit

had given us, and promised should be sent on board the bark, ought to

be made known, as it would tend greatly to correct the impression

entertained by many abroad, and which had been gathered from the public

prints, respecting the character of the officers of these vessels.

At that time I was not aware of the deceit which Captain Maffit had

practised upon me in relation to my policy of insurance, and my right

to take what I could of the insured packages; and consequently could

not, as I do now, present the case in all its enormity. Nor did I know,

until I reached Boston, that the face of the document which I gave

Captain Maffit to read showed no war risk; and that had it been so,

instead of leaving what I might conveniently have had, it was my duty

to save all I could, and account for it to the insurers.

We found the weather extremely cold on nearing the coast of Nova

Scotia, but reached Halifax on the 1st of March, just in time to get

nicely housed in a comfortable hotel before the region was visited with

the severest snow-storm of the season. Here we were detained five days,

waiting for the _Arabia_, which, on her voyage from England, had met

with much bad weather, and was somewhat behind her time. Meanwhile our

consul, Mr. Jackson, and family, becoming acquainted with our case,

sought us out, and together with some of their pleasant English friends

did all they could to make our stay agreeable. We soon learned that Mr.

Jackson was very popular, and it was remarked to us by an Englishman

that he filled the office with credit and dignity, being all that the

position required,--and was not only a man of ability, but also a

gentleman of cultivated taste and refinement.

Mr. Jackson’s kind attentions to us ceased not until, following us

on board the _Arabia_ the morning of the 5th, he bade us good-by

and wished us a safe and speedy passage home. The _Arabia_ had

a large number of passengers, and for a little time the news of

our misfortunes, and the loss of the _Jacob Bell_ created quite a

sensation, and I was informed gave rise, on one or two occasions, to

some spicy conversation in relation to the rebellion, between a few

of our countrymen and some English gentlemen. But, as on board the

_Delta_, English army officers and gentlemen were surprised at what

we had experienced, and thought that ours must be an extreme case,

until informed that it was the opinion of one of the officers of the

_Florida_ that we might be thankful for having fallen into the hands

of Captain Maffit instead of the captain of the _Alabama_; as in the

latter case we would not have been allowed any of our luggage, but

merely the clothes we were wearing. On learning this, they had nothing

more to say in favor of such out-and-out pirates, but remarked that the

particulars in our case ought to be made known.

On the night of the 7th (Saturday) we were nearing Boston, but,

encountering a severe snow-storm, were obliged to stand off and blow

the whistle most of the night. Sunday morning, however, found us at the

entrance to the harbor. We could not have chosen a more inhospitable

morning to greet, for the first time, our home-land; yet, on going upon

deck, the view of the coast, though bearing an aspect cold, bleak, and

uninviting, brought joy and warmth to the heart, and words of thankful

gratitude to the lips.

We hoped to reach the wharf soon after breakfast, but on entering the

harbor a succession of _contretemps_ seemed to follow us. From some

cause we grounded, and it was not until noon that our friends--who

since early morning had been awaiting our arrival--could step on board

to greet and welcome us.

FINIS.

FOOTNOTES:

[42] Lawful and honorable privateering never admits of plundering and

appropriating the luggage and private property of the passengers found

on the captured prize and seamen, of whatever nation, committing such

outrages, are pronounced by all honorable men of the Christianized

world, as pirates. In view of this long-established truth I am obliged,

however I may regret the necessity of doing so, to give, at the outset

of this narrative, the _chivalric_ Southern officers, into whose

gentlemanly (?) hands I was so unfortunate as to fall, their only

appropriate name of _pirates_.

[43] Mr. W---- gave me a copy of my insurance policy a few days

before we left Fouchau, remarking at the time that, in case anything

disastrous happened, I must not trouble about my luggage. Not being

accustomed to business, and ignorant of the rights or duties of the

insured, when Captain Maffit said that he could not save my property, I

unfortunately repeated to him Mr. W----’s remark, saying, also, that I

had the impression it would injure the policy if I took any one of the

insured packages. The captain at once assured me that it was so, and

that unless I left the whole number named in the document, I would get

nothing. My loss was between two and three thousand dollars.

[44] Most of Charlie’s money, which was in Mexican dollars, was in this

package, and his father has since written him that the value of the

contents of the trunk was two hundred dollars. It also contained the

only mementos the boy possessed of his deceased mother.

[45] According to Captain Maffit’s statement.

[46] Since the above was written, a person who has some knowledge of

Captain Maffit’s children, has suggested to me that he may have said

_nine_ years, instead of _five_,--his youngest son being then about the

age of nine years; and, as we may have misunderstood him, I cheerfully

give him the benefit of the doubt, which, however, does not very

materially ameliorate the cruel character of the child.

[47] Lieutenant Reed was finally commander of the pirate _Tacony_, and

was captured near Portland. He is now in Fort Lafayette.

* * * * *

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Transcriber’s Notes:

Footnotes have been moved to the end of each chapter and relabeled

consecutively through the document.

Punctuation has been made consistent.

Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in

the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have

been corrected.