Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-11-03
MfSCELLAEY,
THE PIRATE.

i went TO The Havana In the summer
Of l82--, on business, and having set
tied il to my satisfaction, engaged my
passage in vesse, bound to New York
We had been but few hours on the
voyage when felt that WEAKNESS and
pain which indicates the approach of the
yellow fever, ! continued to grow
worse, and to add to my distress, the
vessel began to roll violently and sea-
sickness with all its horrors came upon
mo Il would have sacrificed every thing
for quiet place in which TO die, as
felt that this was all | could wish for
Overcome u: length with weakness, and
completely exhausted, | fell asleep, from
which was awakened by confused
noise. | a: first believed it was merely
imas ination, but as i. became louder,
felt convinced that what heard was a
reality. At length the cabin door open
ed, aud sevcra! persons descended. Our
captain approached my birth and told
me tho vessel had been captured by
pirates, and that we were now standing
in Tor the land heard the first part
Of his speech with an apathy which my
illness only can account for:--but the
very name Of land seemed to operate
like charm upon me. A young man
now approached and told me to b. under
no apprehension, rs no personal injury
was intended, and that every care should
be bestowed upon mo. He inquired the
nature and state of my disease, and
brought me cordial which consider
ably relieved me. In short time we
were at anchor, and was told our ves-
sci would be detained for day or two,
and ailor few articles had been taken
out, pcrmittedto proceed on her voyage
The same person subsequently enteied,
and observed that could be much bet
ter attended on shore, where would be
relieved from the hustle and confusion
Of the vessel. To this l cheertully as
sented, and IN the afternoon was plac-
ed in a boat and carried to hut near
tho oach;-here l was treated kindly,
and every attention paid me. had
been three days on shore when the
young man (whom now discovered to
be captain Of the corsair) arrived, and
told me our vessel would sail in an hour,
aud if | wished to proceed in her l was
at liberty TO do so, although he remark
ed, in my present state it would 10 doubt
cost me my iie:--and that il l would
trust TO him, and could bear the detention
of a month or so, he would convey me
to some part OF Cuba, from whence |
could easily procure passage home
Believing a removal in my present state
would be almost certain death, added to
q strong desire to know more Of man
who appeared so different from what
had heard of men engaged IN the pro-
iession with which he was connected,
made me assent to his proposal. In
about week I was decidedly GONZALES
cent, and | felt really grateful for the
kindness of the youthful outlaw. One
evening on entering my room he ex-
pressed himself gratltied to see me so
much recovered, as he was 10 sail in the
morning for tho. other side Of the islands
and it was his wish tha, | should accom-
pany him, as it was likely he would fall
IN with some vessel bound to the United
States, and | could thus get home-the
next morning We were undcrweigh.
1t was near midnight when l was
awakened by deep groan in the cabin
in which slept raised my head and
perceived the captain gazing on small
but beautiful dagger, which he was hold
ing to the light as if to sec more plainly
before him on the table, as well as
could Judge, lay miniature--hc was in
tears, and appeared much affected. In a
few moments he placed them in his desk
aud went on deck. ! unused some time
on the singularity Of thi, man, who SEEM
ed fitted for a situation better than that
Of pira'ical captain; he was rather
small in his person, but well formed
had been handsome, I should think, but
sorrow seemed 10 have set her seal up
on his brow; his hair exhibited theinarks $
OF premature old age, although he could
not be more than twenIy-three.
The next night determined to watch
and see fhe would again 10 ,k at the
dagger-he mt length came down, and
after sitting some time in contemplatvc
posture, opened the desk and again the
dagger met my eyc-Curiosity could
bear it no longer-"What singulary
beautiful dirk" cxclaimcd; he started
rs if he had been shot, but suddenly re-
covering himself, said, with n look which
seemed as f he would reach my very
thoughts, "Why did you make that re-
mark~ I felt abashed, Lut he immcd-
lately added, "Since you appear anxious
to know my history, | will tell it you.-
DO you see that" he exclaimed, as he
moved the ligh, nearer and placed the
dagger before sc-~-" lis blcod, I