Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-08-15
From the Western Shield.
THE BUCCANEER.

4
the political separation of the colonies
from the mother country, there cruisec
off the shore of the West India Islands
rover, known by the name of the
Black Buccancer, name given TO him
from the color of his vessel, whose ex.
terror was painted black, the better to
be screened from observation when
the government cruisers Obliged HIM
to seek shelter and concealment a.
mongst the inlets and creeks OF the is.
lands.
Rumor had widely disseminated the
daring exploits of this notorious bucca-
neer, whose illicit proceedings were
principally, if not exclusively, directed
against the flag OF Great Britain, but
his enmity to that nation not only prov
ed detrimental to their commerce, but
also acted So oppressively to ours, as
we, at that time, acknowledged allegi-
ance to the country, from the oppres.
sive enthralment of which our illustri.
Gus forefathers subsequently emanci-
pated themselves and their posterity.
Unparalleled success had hitherto
invariably attended the most desperate
actions Of this man, and his numerous
captures at length called the attention
of the British government, who fitted
out vessel for the express purpose of
! freeing the ocean Of one who proved
so great q scourge to the commercial
interest of Great Britain and its depen-
denotes. The command of this vessel
was entrusted TO an experienced officer,
and we sailed to the United States CO.
lonies, with orders to let nothing inter-
vene with our time and duty, until we
had accomplished the object of our ex-
petition.
At sunrise, on the fifth morning SUBJ
scquent to our departure, we discover
ed vessel to leeward. Orders were
instantly given to bear down, when, af-
ter an hours sail we discovered her to
be fore-top-sail schooner, lying low
in the wafer, and shaping her course
southwesterly. When she perceived
il was our intention to hail, she wore
round and lay to, awaiting our ap-
proach.
AS we drew near had an opportu-
nifty of examining her more minutely,
and every one on board asserted she
was the most beautiful craft they had
ever beheld. Yet there was something
suspicious in her appearance, probably
impaired byth tenebrity of her hue, or
perhaps engendered by the recollection
| of our errand.
AS we neared her, five or six forms
were observed, scanning us with APP
parent INTEREST," still she lay in the
winds eye, her topsails thrown aback,
and she rested as gull sleeping upon
the ocean. We were dashing the spray
aside, and every moment attaining a
lessened intervening space. When we
had approached within hail, our vessel
wore round, and hosting the cross of
Saint George, fired a gun--that the
suspicious sail might satisfy us of her
nation, by showing her colors. Scarce
ly had the echo of our gun died upon
the breeze, when great black banner,
no device, unfurled itself from the stern
of the stranger, and was instantly run
to the extremity of the gait.
"The Black Buecaneer," shouted
| fifty voices simultaneously, and the
echo of their voices was succeeded by
a fearful though brief silence. When
the momentary surprise was over, eve
ry man, in accordance with the order
ofou commander, prepared for action,
the guns were loaded and run out of
their respective ports--the magazine
illumined--the loggerheads lighted
the decks cleared--and every thing
prepared to execute the work of death.
In the meantime the Buccaneer was
no ways backward in initiating our ex-
| ample; his vessel was swung round I'M
til his broadside was brought to bear
full upon us; her decks, which before
showed but five or six men, were now
literally crowded fore and aft; then or
ders were given to commence the &C
ton, and huge cannons belched forth
the iron messengers of death.
eve must boardl" exclaimed our
commander, after quarter of an hours
cannonading, in which no signal ad-
vantage was gained by either party.
"Fill away, my men, and stand by to
heave the grapnels." The mandate
was obeysd, and in few moments we
were dashed, and fought yard-arm to
vard.arm, with the brayest- and most
formidable Buccaneer that everplough-
ed the ocean.
: The pirates were the first to board:
headed by their notorious chiefftain,
|, |, they sprang upon our deck End fierce.
" assaulted our seaGsen; for long
e time victory renamed undecided, bul