Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-05-26
Aourntllre ruitb q Pirate.

Eighteen years ago, the ship | commando
was dancing over the waves on mission
mercy
Laden by the generous contributions of
y New England city, she was bound to the Cap
de Verbs, with bread for the famine-stricken al,
dying.
Brighter skies never frightened the sailor
heart, than those which were bent above us
pleasanter gales never filled the sails of a Sc
journeycr, than those which sped us to the hav
en- where we should be. And now NAV Go
) have the good ship in his holy Keeping tn,
prayer which concluded the old English bill o
lading, had been heard and grceted-we fel
who trod the deck Of the stout craft, whose err
rand it was to succour the destitute.
We were all in high spirits, forward in The
forccaste, and all in the cabin. Sailors, who
are so often hungry, liable at any moment to be
put on short allowance, and compelled a; times
to fast entirely, know better than the landsman
how to pity those whom famine threatens. Jack
has sympathy for the man who has no biscuit in
! his locker.
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
suspicious vessel was in sight With the first
ray OF light. the vgilant officer had described
her, and she was near as to be clearly made
out without glass. ! was on deck in an in
slant.
The first glance at the stranger almost dis
PEELED the fear that the mates alarm had occa.
stoned.
Why, Mr.. Larkn,' said, laughing as
spoke. there is nothing very suspicious in that
lubber-looking craft. She is Portuguese brig
anine I; she cant sail
She looks like one of that build the mate
answered, 'but she is built for sailing, and she II
spread canvass in wind like this, that'll send
her Swimming like gull over the sea. And look
now at the men on her dcck.'
Give me glass | said, ] can see nothing
on her decks
One glance through the telescope was enough
to satisfy me that the mate was right. The
vessel was sharp built, and Of light draught. and
rugged like brigantine. Her masts ra I'D very
slightly; besides the canvass usual to such
rig, she was fitted to carry lugger sail, which
spread before the wind, would add to her speed.
In addition, she was pierced for twenty-five
sweeps and her decks were crowded with men.
Its no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin, said but
she may not be pirate for all that One may
not u. "~-r-'sad To fall in with a SLAYER herea-
bout
She's no SLAYER, Captain
'Why do you think so I!
Because there are guns on her deck, instead
of water-casks.'
Il did not say that she had cargo of slaves
in replied.
Then why does she carry so many guns on
deck p! If without cargo, her guns should be
below if with one there should be more water
casks on deck. II that amt pirate, Captain,
never swan in the kenncbeck river, and sal
mon amt good eating
As if TO put an end to our speculation, and
clear up the mystery, the suspicious vessel be-
gan to spread more canvass. and as she gather
ed way with the freshening breeze, there ran
up her foremost flag, which. when 1t reached
the truck unshook its folds in the wind. On
white field, we saw the terrible insignia of the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS head and the cross-bones-
painted in diabolical black.
Il thought So said Mr.. Larkin, quietly, 'and
the ship has no guns =
AN old horse pistol, and the lock out of or
der
And have only fowling 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 walk
ed forward.
We made all the sail we could, but fifteen
minutes satisfied me that escape was imposs-
bic. The report of a heavy gun from the pi-
rate, and ball whstling over us, spcedi bro't
us to. The pirate came quietly along, like
panther, sure OF its prey, was in no great haste
to seize it.
The moment he came within speaking dis
lance, he hailed and ordered me to launch a
boat ard come on board. We got quarter boat
and was about to jump into her, to pay my
respects in person to the villains, when Mr. Lar
kin asked leave to 60.
If they want the captain, said he, let them
send for him. I'll see if the mate won't answer
as WE'LL
lie had scarcely put his foot on the deck Of
the pirate when he again appeared on the rail
and descended to the boat, which began to pull
back.
Almost at the same instant, a launch was
swung over the rail, and into which twenty saw
age looking rascals, armed to the teeth, sprant
and pulled towards us. Ten minutes after
wards they were Oh board of my vessel, and be
gan clearing away the main hatch.
The leader, a swarthy looking fellow, who's,
: square, compact frame indicated great strength
and whose eyes, black and hazy, and half con
cealed by the lids, expressed cruelty and cum
ming approached the cabin hatch where stood
and addressed me in fair English
'Are you the captain of this vessel 2
yes sir
What's your cargos
Flour
'Where from 2
Boston
'Where to p
'Cape de VERDI
'Why, they are all starving there he said
opening his eyes, and looking full at me.
Yes and the flour liz my vessel was freely Civ
en- by good Christians, to feed those starving
people,
Tie rascal coltinrel his deliberate gaze
moment, and then turned towards his men-wh
by this time. had broken into the main hatch
. and in a rough, commanding tone, spoke fey
words in Spanish, which could not understand
The men looked up in astonishment, and the
withdrew to one side, where they stood gain
cnrously towards the captain, for such was m
interrogation. lie thrust his hands behind hin
and walked to and fro quickly for five minutes
then he said sharply, turning to me,
aou Americans are all heretics. VIII
ha.NNa