The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-05-03

on uecK! III WltnOut cargo, her guns
should be below; if with one, there should
be more water casks on deck. If that amt
a pirate, captain, never swan in the Ken.
nebeck river, and salmon amt good eating
AS if to put an end to our speculations,
and clear up the mystery, the suspicious ves-
sci began TO spread more canvass, and as
she gathered way with the freshening breeze,
there ran up her foremast flag, which,
when it reached the truck, unshook its folds
in the wind. On white field, we saw the
terrible insignia of the freebooter. the
dealh's head and cross-bones-painted in di-
bolical black.
i thought So said MIR. Larkln, quietly,
'and the ship has no guns
what arms have you, MIR. Larkin!' /
asked.
An old horse pistol, and the lock out of
order
And have only a fowlling piece and
pair of pistols. fear these fellows will
make their own terms with US.
Yes. cut our throats and administer on
our effects afterwards replied the mate as
he walked forward.
We made all the sail we could, but fifteen
minutes satisfied me that escape was impos-
sible. The report of a heavy gun from the
pirate, and ball whistling over US, speedily
brought us TO- The pirate came qlctIy
along, like panther, which sureol his prey,
was in no great hurry 10 seize it.
The moment he came within speaking
distance he hailed & ordered me to launch
boat and come on board. We got out the
the quarter boat, and | was about to jump
in her, to pay my respects in person to the
villains, when Mr.. Larkin asked leave TO 90.
lf,hey want the Captain, said he. let 'em
send for him. III sec if the mate won't all
swer as well'
He had scarcely put. his foot on the deck
of the pirate, when he appeared on the rail.
and descended to the boat, which began to
pull back. Almost at the same instant q
launch was swung over the raul, into which
twenty savage looking rascals, armed to the
teeth, sprung, and pulled towards us. Ten
minutes afterwards they were on board of
my vessel, and began clearing away the
main hatch.
The leader, a swarthy looking fellow
whose square, compact frame indicated
strength, and whose eyes, black and hazy,
and half concealed by the lids expressed
cruelty and cunning, approached the cabin
hatch, where | stood, and addressed me in
very fair English.
"Are you the Captain of this vesselr
Yes
What's your cargo7'
Flour
"Where frorl2'
Boston,
"Where tor
Cape dc Verde
"Why they arc all starving there he said
opening his eyes, and looking full at me.
" Yes, and the -four in my vessel was
freely given by good Christians to feed those
starving people,
The rascal continued his deliberate gaze
moment, then turned towards his men,
who by this time, had broken into the main
hatch, and and in a rough, commanding tone
spoke few words in Spanish, which could
not make out. The men looked up in aston
ishment, and then Withdrew to the side,
where they stood gazing curiously towards
their Captain, for such was my interrogation.
He thrust his hands behnds him, and walked
to and fro quickly, for five minutes; then he
said, sharply, turning to me.
You Americans arc all heretics, why should
you send -four TO feed starving Catholicsr
Because they are our felIowmcn, and their
Saviour is our Saviour answered, aston
shed at the conduct of the man.
Ifyou lie to me, he cried, with 6erceness
which startled me, 'If you lie To me, I'll nail
you &c you own deck. Is this cargo the
free gift your countrymen TO the starving!
"rII prove it to you by my papers, an
swcred.
ii don't want TO sec your papers, he re-
turned, swear it by the Saviour, whose name
YOU have just pronounced, and as he spoke,
he crossed himself devoutly.
81 swear it by the Holy Trinity / replied
solemnly.
The pirate lifted his cap, and bent his
head devoutlv, when mentioned the Trini-
~.
The man stood still, his head bent over,
while one might moderately have counted
fifty. When he raised himselfup, it seemed
to me that there was less ferocity in his
countenancc. The eyes were no longer
half closed, but open and clearer in their
depth. | looked steadily at him.
Captain he said courteously. 'can you
supply me with two or three casks of water!
gave the order, and the water was low.
cred into the boat. A word from him sent
his cut throats over the side, but he fingered
behind, and after moments hesitation, as
though he halfrepen,cd of his resolution and
was ashamed Of what he was doing, aP-
preached me with his hand extended.