Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-09-15
The Pirate.


on mission of mercy. Laden by gen
erOus contributions Of New England
city, she was bound to the Cape de Verbs,
with bread for the famine stricken and
dying Brighter skies never Q laddened
the sailors heart, than those which were
over US; pleasanter gales never filled the
sails of the sea-iourneyer, than those
which sped us to the haven where we
should be; land now may God have the
ship in his holy keeping the prayer
which concluded the old English bill of
landing, was heard and granted, we felt,
who trod on the deck Of the stout craft,
whose errand it was to succor the des-
tltute.
We were all in high spirits, forward
in the forecastle, and aft in the cabin
Sailors, who are often so hungry, liable
at any moment to be put on short allow
anCc, and compelled at times to fast en-
tirelv, know better than the landsmen
how to pity those whom famine threat
ems. Jack has ready sympathy for the
man who has no biscuit in his locket.
1t was now the fourteenth day out
Just in the first gray of the morning, that
the mate aroused me with the startling
intelligence that a suspicious vessel was
in sight. With the first ray of light,
the vigilant officer had deserted her, and
she was near as to be made out with a
glass. was on deck in an instant.
The first glance at the stranger al
most dispelled the fear that the mates
alarm had occasioned.
why, Mr.. Larkin, | said, laughing
as spoke, "there's nothing suspicious
in that Iubberly looking craft She is a
Portuguese brigantine-she can't sail.
SHE looks like that build" the mate
answered but she is built for sailing,
and she Il spread canvass in a wind like
this, that'll send her sbimming like a
Gull over the sea. And look now, at
the men on her deck"
A glance at the telescope was enough
to satisfy me the mate was right The
vessel was sharp built, light draught,
and rugged like a brigantinc. Her mastS
raked very slightly: besides the canvass
usual to such a rig, she was fitted to
carry a luggcr- sail, which when spread
before the wind would add to her speed.
In addition she was pierced for twenty
two sweeps. Her decks were crowded
wish men
Its no honest craft, Mr.. Larlln, ]
said but she may not be a pirate for
all that. One need not be surprised to
fall in with SLAYER hereabout,
shes no SLAYER Captain.'
why do You think so:'
"B cause there guns on her deck,
instead Of water casks
IL did not say she had cargo OF
slaves in, lrcphcd.
"Thru why does she carry SO many
runs ON deck: II Without a cargo hen
gums should bc below; II with one there
should be more guns ON deck. II that
amt a pirate. never swan in kcuncbcC
river, and salmon amt good eating
As if 10 pat an end 10 our specula-
tons aud clear mp the mystery, the sus-
pjcipuS vessel began to spread more
canvass. and rs she gathered away with
the trcsheuiug breeze, they ran up to her
foremost nag. which when it reached
the truck, uuShooh its folds in the wind.
On a white field we saw the terrible IN
sigma of the freebooter. the deaths head
and crossboues painted in diaboHca
black.
Il thought SO. =, said Mr.. Larkin. qu-
cty-"aud the ship has no guns.
"Nhat arms have YOU. Mr.. Larkin:
asked.
An old horse-pistol, and the lock
out of order"
And | have ONLY an old fowling-
piece and pair of pistols. | fear these
fellows will make their own terms with
us"
"Nes ont ony threats and administer
oo on, q Rcrts afterwards " rcpIied thc
ma,r waIL;nr forward
W. n,,dn III tbo sail we couId bnt
Gffccn MINUTES satisfied me thai cscapc
WIS ;n,no.s;hle Tie rnnort of a r,m
from, tbo riratn and . baII vbistTnr
ovsrus snrcd;Iy hronrht rs ia The
,,;,,a,o c.nLe on;ctly aI9mr ike = narth-
l.-I lr';....,. ,,.,, :, 49,,