It was well known by the officer on board the prize, or rather he had heard, that through the official interference of Capt. Downes, the ship would be liberated by compromise. Notwithstanding all this, Capt Guise had given him orders not to admit any one on board, except the captain, who still held his state-room, and slept on board; and the mate was also retained for the purpose of taking care of sails and rigging, and to lookout for cables and anchors in case of a blow. Neither of them were allowed to have any fire-arms or powder in their possession. Capt. Guise seldom left his ship, as though he feared that something might happen. A crew of seventy-five men were selected from among our best seamen, who were all to be armed, with a pair of pistols and a cutlass each.
The night was fixed upon, and it was necessary and important that the ship should be clear before two o'clock in the morning; as up to that time there was generally a good breeze blowing oft' shore, and this breeze, brought the prize in a more favorable position for getting under way. On the afternoon previous to the night when the attempt was to be made, the captain went on board his ship apparently in high glee, exhibiting a roll of paper, and saying to the officer, "well I am clear; you will have your orders to quit by to-morrow morning." He had brought off a demijohn of brandy, and a box of champagne to treat his friends on this happy occasion, after he had obtained his liberty.
A bottle of brandy was placed upon the table; and a large tin pot full privately given to the marines. The effects of the brandv were soon visible among the marines. who, by eight o'clock, were all drunk. The prize officer also felt rather sleepy, and took a snooze on the cabin sofa. Ami now was the time for the captain and mate to work, as all depended on the promptness with which everything was done. One of the cables, (hemp,) was sawed off on the windlass, and jnst stopped to keep it from running out. A sharp axe was laid near the other, ready for use; the mate then went aloft very silently, cast off the gaskets from the top-sail yards, and stopped the sails with rope yarns; and did the same with the top-gallantrsails.
He then loosed the jib and fore top-mast staysail, hut kept them on the boom, then saw the sheets and halliards clear. During this time there were two soldiers walking the gangway; but had too much brandy on board, to suspect anything wrong; and at intervals sung out " All's well." It was not thought expedient to make any signal from the frigate, that might be seen by the Lotaro; so it was arranged that when six bells (eleven o'clock) struck on board the frigate, the boat would leave with the men selected for the occasion. As this enterprise had been carefully planned, (for as I stated before, a failure would have been disastrous) it was indispensable that a line should be run from the merchant ship to a projecting rock, about three times her length, from where she lay, in order to give her headway, and to get her from the range of the Lotaro's guns as quick as possible.
This was accomplished in the following manner: Two coils of rope were put into our boat that was to carry the men to the ship, and when the boat left the frigate, the men, all except the two who were to row with muffled oars, were to lie down so as they might not be seen. The boat was to creep along inshore close to the land; cross the entrance of the harbor to the rock; make the line fast, and take the end to the prize. The mate, who being on the lookout in the head, was to haul the end on board. They were then to board the ship over the bow, and knock down the sentinels.
The captain was to secure the cabin doors, to prevent the officer from coming up. The cable was then to be cut, the line manned, and the ship hauled out. All this was done with admirable precision. As soon as the blow was struck upon the cable, it was heard on board the Lotaro, and directly all was commotion on board that ship. Capt. Guise was up in an instant, and hailed the prize: "What are yon about there, sir." The ship was now ranging ahead, when Guise immediately hailed: " Let go your spare anchor, sir, immediately, or I will fire into you." " Aye, aye, sir," says the mate. " Clear away your guns; all hands unmoor ship," were the mixed and confused orders on board the Lotaro, " Sheet liome your top-sails /" says the captain, in a long, bold, and authoritative manner, so as to be distinctly heard by all on board the Lotaro.