The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-05-19

Derhsruo slroue inc deck lmpatently, watch
ing the distant sail, like the shark when he
sees his prey sporting in the shoal water.
"Ha!" said he, stopping short, ''perhaps
they have Christian charity; up with a sig
nal of distress! Down below, all, and be
ready"
The orders were promptly obeyed. True
to the appeal of humanity, the devoted
brig wore round, and steered directly for
the pirate. 1t was moment of intense
anxiety. The brig held her course for half
an hour, when suddenly there was a confu-
sion oil board; she hauled off and crowded
sail! With stamp of rage the chief Or
dered his men on deck. The dreaded black
flag was run up, and the long gun cleared
away for the chase. Presently the approa-
ching wind played and whrled capriciously
on the pillows; the first light puff awoke
the sleeping sails, and the pirate schooner
slipped noiselessly along. As the young
breeze grew into steady wind, the accur-
sed black banner unwrapped its gloomy
field, and streamed alec; the foam parted
wide from the bow, and it was soon evil
dent that she gained rapidly on the brig.
"Give them the hot iron," shouted the
chief. "But where is Antonio? where is
your gunner now! shall his murderer es-
cape?
Curses, deep and angry, were heard,
and many vengeful looks were fastened on
the condemned youth, perched in the rig
ging. The polite Bernardo slept forward
to try his skill; he sighted carefully along
the piece as the schooner yawed, and gave
the order to fire. The light craft trembled
under the believing discharge, but the brig
kept on unharmed. A broadside of oaths
followed the guns discharge. After hot
chase of an hour, the figure of man was
distinctly seen at the helm of the flying
vessel; he stood fearless and alone. Again
the long gun blazed away; as the smoke
swept astern, the pirates shouted to see
the foretopmast falling to the leeward. A
few more rapid and well aimed shots, and
the ill-fated brig was crippled and unman-
ageable! The pirate hove to, within pistol
shot. Two boats were lowered, and in
stantly filed with whooping, ferocious
wretches. Into the foremost sprang Ber-
nardo; he stood eagerly in the bow, with
a pistol cooked in one hand, and heavy
sabre in the other. With howl like hun
cry wolves they pulled for the prize. A
silence, dread as the famished lion before
he wakes, reighed aboard her. A. small
crew stood around their captain on the
quarter deck; single swivel, few old
muskets, and sabre or two, with the usual
sailor knife, were their only arms. A pow
erful emotion agitated their leader; he trem-
bled, but ii was not the towards quail; his
face was deadly pale, but fear blanced it
not; his words duivered through bloodless
lips, but they breathed not of terror or dis
may. 1t was the energy of dauntless
soul mastering its physical tenement. He
looked on his faithful crew with thoughts
that pen cannot portray.
"My men," said he, in a low and anx-
ious tone, ''we may soon be at anchor in
foreign port, but before we set sail, if any
man has aught to say of me, let him speak
his mind. When my poor, wild son left
his father to go l know not where, my YES
sci became my home; / have tried to do
my duty as an honest skipper should-I
love you all, would die for you"
"We love you; will die for you," burst
from the affected tais.
"My gallant boys, thank you; fight till
the last planks hold together; remember
your wives and sweethearts. am good for
dozen of tile villains!''
One full bold cheer was the answer.
''Take the foremost boat,-freP' shouted
the master of the brig, discharging his mus
bet, which was followed BY sheet of
fame from the swivel and small arms of the
man