Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-03-10
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From The Boston Mercantile Journal.
THE PlRhTt-A SCENE AT SEA,

The wind, which had increased little
during the last hour, now died away, bu,
the schooner, propelled by sweeps, still ad-
vanced towards them rapidly, and when
she had reached to within the distance oil
a musket shot of the brig, a boat was
launched from her deck-about dozen
men armed with muskets, pistols and cut
lasses, or long Spanish knives, sprang on
board, and in few minutes were along
side the Mermaid !
Capt. Watkins, OF course, could make
no effectual reslstance-but he would
gladly have fought the bloody minded vii.
lans with hand spikes and scading water,
if the mate and crew had seconded him
but his mate, Mr.. Miller, argued, that il
no resistance should be made, il was pos.
siblc that their lives should be spared,
which would certainly not be the case,
provided they opposed the pirates in their
attempts to come alongside and board the
brig. This argument did not convince
the Captain, but it had a powerful effect
on the minds of the crew, who threw down
their hand-spikes, harpoons and axes, with
which, at their Captains suggestion, they
had armed themselves, and prepared to
submit to the mercy of the pirates!
Led by the Lieutenant, broad Shout
Gered, brawnv Spaniard, who waved a
short cutlass over his head, and had a
brace OF pistols in his belt. the pirates
rushed on board, and in moment had pos
session of the brig. The Lieutenant shout
ed aloud for the Captain. Where is the
Captainl' echoed little savage looking
Portuguese, who being able to speak En-
glsh indiflerently well, acted the part OF
an interpreter.
Captain Watkins stepped forward, and
ovowed himself master Of the brig
Where is your money slowed ? inquired
the Lieutenant, at the same time giving
him rap over the head with the fiat OF
his cutlas
Il have no money on board replied
Watkins, firmly.
Come said the interpreter. this is OF
no use. We must have your money. II
is nonsense to say there is no money on
board. If you will hand over good
round sum, some two or three thousand
doubloons, without further trouble, we
may spare your life. But you must be
quick about it ?--at the same time the
demon threw his hand significantly across
his throat.
Then God have mercy on my poor
soul = exclaimed Watkins, for there is
no money on board, excepting ten silver
dollars in my writing desk in the cabin
This being reported to the Lieutenant,
his anger seemed much excited, and he
gave Captain Watkins three or four add
tional blows over the head and shoulders
with the fiat of his cutas.-He ordered
the writing desk to be brought on board,
while others rummaged different parts Of
the cabin, examined the run, and ripped
the ceiling over the lransom, with the ex.
pectation of finding money. But no mo.
ney was to be found.
BY this time, the schooner was along
side the brig, and the Captain Of the pi-
rate himself, came on board. He was a
man not more than thirty years Of age, of
a symmetrical figure, promising activity
and strength. His features, individually,
were handsome, but there was an ex-
preston dOOut MS FiSdSc, aCoiHPtNos'oHo vi
,he neither lip, and ire in his deepest
dark eye, which said in mute but ex-
pressive language, that he could both con-
ceive and execute deeds of dark and
daring character. He was followed by a
young man Of slight figure, and fine, in
telligent but pensive countenance, with
whom he often consulted, while they were
on the deck of the Mermaid--and who,
with his beardless face, and costume rich
and gay, formed singular contrast with
the rough. looking, bearded and mustach-
ed half clad beings around him.
The Captain, whose name was Pedro
GuarlIa, name well known in Cuba, at
the time that this outrage took place. on
hearing the state of the case from his
Lieutenant, ordered Captain Watkins to be
seized up TO the main rigging, and logged
until he confessed where the money was
concealed. The order was no sooner Civ.
en- than executed,-an the unfortunate
man was stripped to the skin, and logged
in the most inhuman manner. He still
persisted in declaring that there was no
money in the vessel--and would, perhaps,
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