The Rhode Island Republican

[From the Military and Naval Magazine.]

OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ESCAPE OF NAPOLEON FROM ST. HELENA.

The morning of the 13th of August was just dawning on the gay circle, which that night had graced the hall of Sir Hudson and Lady Lowe, commemorating the birth day of George IV., then Prince Regent; and the dark haze, which like a mantle had shrouded for many hours, nearly to their bases, the mighty mountains surrounding James' valley, was rapidly ascending their summits, when the report of a signal gun from the admiral's ship, almost instantly responded to by those of the surrounding posts, drew attention from the festive scene: and those who a few minutes before were leading the mazy dance, now, urging their coursers to their greatest speed, were seen ascending the different winding and precipitous roads which led to and surrounded the lowly dwelling of the exiled Emperor.

A frigate and a small gun brig had slipped from their moorings, and the next moment, under a crowd of canvass, steering contrary courses, were standing out of the roadstead. The surprise created by these sudden movements was almost instantly relieved by the appearance of a low, black ship, gently gliding from behind the projecting point, and bearing down upon her; three topsails to the little brig, now nearly within gunshot. A few movements sufficed to bring them together—a boat was seen to pass—an hour elapsed—the low, black ship then spread her swelling canvass to the increasing breeze, and the evening of that day, whose morning opened on such a busy scene, beheld her sink beyond the horizon.

Curiosity for a day or two continued; all questions were evaded; and at last, despairing of being gratified, sunk into indifference, and all appeared forgotten. A year or two after, I revisited "my own, my native land," when in a small company, accidentally mentioning the foregoing occurrence, I received the following account, from one who proved to be the most conspicuous actor. I give it nearly in his own words, and the interest it excited in me, who was a witness of what I have already described, induced a belief that it might not be unacceptable to others.

On the 12th of August, 18–, returning from India, we made the Island of St. Helena; the thick haze which enveloped it, prevented our seeing the land, until close aboard; at that time, the curtain which screened it from our view gradually arose until it rested on the summits of the highest mountains. The picture now presented was sublime on the left. Longwood, the residence of Napoleon, with the small white tents of his guard sprinkled around; on the right, the lofty mountain, with its summit and signal tower enveloped in the haze; in front, the rugged, precipitous rocks, descending to the ocean, the murmur of whose waves, gently rippling on the shore, seemed to infuse their own calm into the bosoms of the hardy tars, who were listlessly gazing on the surrounding scene, and descanting on the various fortunes of the fallen Emperor. The evening closed in, the lights were waving through the mansion of Longwood; the tents were no longer visible; darkness and tranquility reigned. So absorbed had we all become, that not until this moment had any one noticed how very near we had approached to the rock; to use a sailor's expression, you might almost have "chucked a biscuit on shore."

A short calm was succeeded by a light air from the island, which rendered our situation, before unpleasant, now perfectly secure; and once more the minds of all seemed to revert to him, the lonely prisoner on this lonely rock. It was evident we had not been discovered on our approach; the night had just closed in, the breeze would freshen as we receded from the land, and the morning sun might rise on our gallant little bark, bearing the rescued exile to "The land of the free, and the home of the brave."

The impulse was irresistible; the sailors were called aft—the practicability of effecting his escape, in a few words explained, and the half-consenting crew requested a few moments to make up their minds. To bring their resolution to the sticking point, a dram was administered to each, and ten thousand dollars to be equally distributed, the moment he touched the deck. They retired to consult, the quarter boat was cleared away, every thing prepared, and with a throbbing heart, I awaited their decision. It was a moment of such intense, absorbing feeling, that the returning steps of the men were not noticed until within a few feet.

"Well, my brave fellows," said I, in a whisper, (as if dreading to awake the slumber of the silent tide,) "go boldly, yet cautiously on; remember, if discovered, you come on shore for assistance, to rescue a vessel close in upon the rocks; but you will not be seen—hasten him down—not a moment to be lost: boundless wealth and never fading glory will be your reward—away! away"

So great had been my excitement, so certain was I of their acquiescence, that when the words "We cannot go," fell upon my ear, they pressed also like a load upon my heart, and it was some moments before I could command voice enough to order the cowards forward.

One after another, the lights were extinguished at Longwood; the night dragged heavily along; we were found three or four miles from the land, when the first dawn of the morning was ushered in by the roaring of a cannon from the signal post almost over our heads, answered by others from different parts, and shortly after officers were seen galloping towards the mansion. All appeared bustle on shore, and we soon found, by the approach of a little man-of-war brig, that equal activity prevailed on the ocean. A shot whizzed over us, and we bore down; a boat came alongside, I was ordered in, and conducted on board. "Walk in the cabin, sir." I descended. On a sofa, at the after part of it, reclined a handsome young officer, full dressed, even to buckles in his shoes, who demanded, on my entrance, in rather sleepy tone, where I was from.

"India."

"When did you arrive?"

"Yesterday, late in the afternoon,"

Throwing one foot carelessly from the sofa, he exclaimed. "That is impossible: you were not seen from the signal post at noon. Which of his Majesty's ships boarded you in the offing?"

"I have not seen any."

"Sir, that cannot be; the ship on the windward station must have boarded you."

"I regret, sir, you should think proper to doubt my assertions. Had my men acted as they were urged to do, I should most probably have been relieved from this unpleasant interview."

With a little more animation, he said, "How so, Sir?"

I had gone too far to recede, and there was also an open, noble expression in his countenance, that invited confidence, and seemed to say go on: I did so.

"I should probably have had Napoleon on board, and been far beyond your reach."

Springing from the sofa, with extended hand and speaking eye, he exclaimed, "Would you, by G—"

Taking his proffered hand, I reiterated his words, "I would by G—."

"Then sit down," said he, (the first time, by the way he had shown that attention,) "and tell me how you had arranged—what were your plans—every thing."

I repeated what you have already heard, interrupted once or twice, near the close of my narrative, by the words "rascals!" "cowards!"

On concluding, he looked me steadily in the face, hesitated a moment, and then, in an undertone, proceeded:

"You have doubtless heard that many attempts have been made, and one or two nearly succeeded, to rescue Napoleon: it is not so. You are the only one, if aided as you ought to have been, who has had the slightest chance, and, to be candid, would have effected your purpose. The ships had all been called in. the signal man from the post reported nothing in sight, (you must have been enveloped in the haze.) and all the officers were permitted, on shore and afloat, to attend Lady Lowe's first great ball, in commemoration of our Regent's birth day; and you see," holding out his leg, "in what haste, and from what a scene. your appearance has called me. What would I not give for the satisfaction of seizing your rascals in the gangway, and giving them a dozen each. Sir," said he, after a short pause, "you would certainly have had him, and we should no longer have been joined."

"A signal from the Admiral, Sir."

We went on deck; the usual questions and answers succeeded, when he informed me, "I am directed to give you what water you may require." It was done. Another signal. "Desire the master of that ship, if he has any grain* or humps,† to send them on board."

"Tell the Admiral, Sir, when I am at anchor, he shall be informed of what I have on board.'"

"Order him instantly to sea."

I took the noble fellow by the hand, sprang into his boat, in a few moments was on board, and when his little skiff returned. he found a few bags of grain and half a barrel of humps, as an acknowledgement of his noble bearing, his candor and his confidence.

In a few hours St. Helena faded in the distance, but years have not been able to obliterate from my memory the feelings of that one moment, when all my sanguine hopes were blasted by those three words, "we cannot go."

*Grain, a grain like the Spanish.
†Humpo, taken from the buffaloe, and corned like tongues.