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

ded, and cursing pirates on the bloody
wave. But before the brave crew could
Reload the other boat was alongside the
brig, and third was putting off from the
schooner. The pirates poured on deck;
their wild cries and hotrid blasphemies rent
the air, but not less terrific was the peal
ing hurrahl of the irnpetuous captain, as ne
whirled his sabre over his head.
Z" Fight for you lives, your skipper and
your craft, we are one TO ten my brave boys,
but am good for Dozen"
For moment the pirates hesitated. II
was a thrilling pause. 1t is dreadful to war
against hope, but the struggle Is the more
terrible. Another band leaped on board
and the fight closed like the meeting of
whirlwinds. Then came the hot strife Of
life and death in its fercest shape-the
scream-the blaze-the clash--the grasp
the death hug-the jettiig blood-the
heavy fall--and the last groan. The sail
ors fought with the ferceness Of revenge
and the recklesshess of despair. Many d
foul pirate gasped his last curse ON that
dear-bought prize. But no courage could
Withstand the overwhelming numbers of
the buccaneers. One by one, deep
plunge told that son of the ocean Was
sinking In his ocean grave.
The pirates were masters Of the brig;-
the intrepid captain alone remained; yet
still his sabre whirled its circle of death;
still the stirring thunder of his voice
cheered his men to victory. He looked a.
round, and they were gone! A few scald.
ing tears travelled with funeral pace over
his CORY cheek.
"All gone but me!--my poor boys" said
! he, sorrowfully, "SOu did your duty, and
the great skipper that sails aloft Won't for
get you, when all hands are called on deck
to report their watch" Faint and wound
ed, he cut his staggering way to the cabin.
"Take him alive, take him alive! he
shall die by inches," shouted husky
voice, which the pirates recognized to be
that of Bernardo. Pale, wet, and bleeding,
he climed on board; ragged piece of scalp
hung over his right eye and temple; his left
arm fell splintered and powerless BY his
side. "Take him alive" again he cried,
hoarse with passion, "for vengeance must
have"
After sanguinary struggle, the heroic
captain was taken and bound. The brig
was plundered, and set on fire; the greedy
element darted its wiry tongue up the rig
ging, and dressed the vesselin flame. Tho
pirates with their prisoner and booty, put
off for their schooner, needless of the inn
ploring cries of their wounded comrades on
the burning prize.
In few minutes more, ''The Flower of
the Sea" fell obedienty to the wind, set
Ting fully and gracefully to one side, and
bore rapidly away.
The ill-fated prisoner was dragged with
curses before the chief, on the quarterback;
their eyes met in one long look of hate.
''What is our lossl" inquired Bernardo
turning to his men.
"Twenty-seyen missing" was the an
swer.
"What! has handful of villains done
all this! Fcol what do you expectl" roar!
ed Bernardo, looking fury at his erect and
scornful captive.
"That which you know fear hOti-2
DEATH" was the reply.
At the sound Of that voice, quick, bro.
Zen cry might have been heard from alOn,
but for the noise Of the vessel speeding on
her way.
Yes, boasting dog, death you shall
have, but it shall be with hot iron in your
kissing flesh, and burning birthstone in your
cursed mouth"
"Cut-throat-coward!'
'Silence! my revenge is not to be cheat
ed by words Look at me; do you not
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