Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-09-20
sBEDAT R9ADsRG,
THE PIRATE.

Eighteen years ago, the ship l COM
manded was dancing over the waves, or
a mission Of mercy. Laden by genek-1
Gus contributions Of a New England city,
she was bound to the Cape de Verbs
with bread for the famine-stricken and
dying. Brighter skies never g~ladened
the sailors heart than those which were
bent over Us ~pleasanter gales never
filed the sails Of the sea-iourneyer, than
those which sped us to the haven where
we should be /" and now may God have
the ship in his holy keeping" the prayer
which concluded the old English bill of
lading, was heard and granted, we felt,
as we trod on the deck ofthe stout craft,
whose error was to succor the destitute.
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 upon short al
lowance, and compelled at times to fast
entirely, know better than the landsmen
how to pity those whom famine threat
ems. Jack has ready sympathy for the
man who has no buiscuit in his locker.
II was now the fourteenth day out
Just in the first gray Of the morning
that the mate aroused me with the start
ling intelligence that a suspicious vessel
was in sight. With the first ray Of light
the vigilant officer had deserted her, and
she was so near as to be made out with
a glass. / was on deck in an instant.
The first glance at the strange ship
almost dispelled the fear that the mates
alarm had occasioned.
"Why, Mr.. Larkin," / said, laugh
ing as ! spoke, there's nothing sus-
picious in that lubberly-looking craft
She's a Portuguese brigantine-she can't
sail"
"She looks like that build" said the
mate, " but she is built for sailing, and
she'll spread canvass in a wind like this,
thatIl send her skimming like a gull o.
yer the sea. And look now at the men
on her deck"
One glance through the telescope was
enough to satisfy me hat the mate was
right. The vessel was sharp-built, Of
light draught, and rugged like a brigan-
tine. Her masts raked very slightly
besides the canvas usual to such a rig,
she was fitted to carry a luggersail,
which when spread before the wind
would add to her speed. In addition she
was pierced for % sweeps. Her decks
were crowded with men.
"It's no honest craft, MI. Larkin," !
said bnt she may not be a pirate for
all that One need not be surprised tc
fall in with a SLAYER h~ereabouts."
"She's no SLAYER, captain"
"Why do YOU think soan
Because there are guns on her deck
instead Of water casks"
81 did not say she had a cargo OIL
slaves In" / replied.
Then why does she carry so many
guns on her deck9 If without a cargo
her guns should be below if with one
there should be more guns on deck. |
that amt a pirate, never believe mi
again."
As il to put an end to our speculation,
and clear up the mystery, the suspicious
craft began to spread more canvass, anc
as she gathered away with the freshnin,
breeze, they ran up to her foremost
flag, which when it reached the trucI
unsbook its folds to the wind. On
white ground we saw the terrible insig
mia, Of the freebooter, the death's-hea
and cross-bones. painted in diabolics
black.
II thought so,' said Mr.. Larkin, qui
city, land the ship has no guns"
What arms have you Mr.. Larkin?
/ asked.
An old h~orse-pistol. with the loo
out Of order"
And have only an old fowling-piec
and a pair Of pistols. / fear these Eel
W will make their own terms with us.
Yes; cut our threats, and admin
ter to our effects afterwards" replied II
mate, walking forward.
We made all the sail we could, but &
y teen minutes satisfied me that escape w
impossible. The report of a gun fro
the pirate, and a shot whistling over U
speedily brought US to. The pirate can
quietly along, like a panther, which, su
ofits prey. was in no great hurry
seize it. The moment he came with
speaking distance be hailed, and orde
ed Inc to launch a boat and come
board, We got the quarter-boat, an,