Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-09-08
From the Magnolia for July.
The Pirates and the Palatines
LEGEND OF NORTH CAROLINA.

LEGEND OF NORTH CAROLINA.
There is tradition of the North Ca
rolina shores, which we have at present
in crude state, but which, in the hands
of our romancers. may be wrought into
a most beautiful fiction. 1t has been a
subject OF even recent assertion, certified
by the sworn testimonies Lf credible per-
sons. that, annually, at certain period
in every year, luminous substances, having
the exact appearance of ship on fire,
appears upon the coast. Seeming to
burn furiously, it yet speeds along, un-
diminished in fiery bulk and volume
sailing with incredible rapidity until out
of sight, but again suddenly re-appearing
at the original point. and pursuing the
same identical route, and in this progress,
to and fro, it continues throughout that
particular night of the year which is APP
propriated to its exhibition.
This singular spectacle is accounted
for by the fol lowing story: The burning
ship goes by the name of the " Ship of the
Palatines." The tradition is, that some
time in the reign of George the first, a
small company Of that class OF emigrants
known as German Palatines, were pro-
vlded with ship at London, at the pub
tic expense, that they might be transport
ed to this country. 1t is well known
that this sort of assistance was frequent
ly rendered to class Of people, who were
IN most cases exceedingly poor. 1t so
happened, that the Palatines in question
wee in rather better circumstances than
was commonly the case with their coun-
trymen. They had money, but with
small cunning, hey affected degree
OF povery. with the notoriety of which.
the help of government-not to speak of
private charities-would have been with
held. They had accumulated many YES
se!s OF silver. goods Of various kinds and
value, their whole stock, which had
been parsmoniously preserved, and care
fully concealed, with all the art of small
and selfik community. Their treasures
occupied but little space, we're cauti-
ously put from sight in the mass of their
inferior baggage. In this condition OF
things, they went on board the vessel
which had been provided for them, and
soon after put to sea.
The voyage was protracted one, in a
half-rotten bark, and with head winds a
great part of the time. Wearied out
with confinement, and sickened with a
SOFT of travel to which they were unac-
eustomed. the poor Palatines were hearth
rejoiced when they at length saw land.
They made the coast of North Carolina,
late in the day. and seeing the shores So
nfgh. the poor creatures, half mad with
Joy, began to hoist their baggage in readi-
ness tor the promised landing. But they
were destined to be disappointed. In
the excitement of the occasion and mo.
ment, they forgot their prudence, and Ell
ther made an ostentatIous exhibition OF
their wealth, or some words escaned
them which led the captain of their YES.
sci to suspect their possession of it. Ills
greedy eye had beheld their treasures. o,
his greedy ears had heard their fooiisi
boast of possessions which they had new
er made public in England.
This discovery awaked the devil !,
his heart. He gave the sign to his mate
perhaps intimated his object to the sea
men generally. In those DAYS the pro
fesson OF piracy was not as odious as i
is in ours. Successful piracy. indeed
was rather an honorable business, ant