Washington telegraph., 1850-11-06
THE PIRATE.

ou d IllSSlOI VI liIeTCy. hdu6a ny luc
generous contributions of New Eng-
land city, she was bound to Cape de
Verdes, with bread for the famine strick-
en- and dying.
1t was now the fourteenth day out
Just i'll the first gray Of morning-that the
mate aroused me with the startling intel
ligence that suspicious vessel was in
sight. With the first ray of light, the
vigilan, officer had deserted her, aud she
was SO near as to be made ou: with a
glass. ] was on deck in an instant
One glance through the telescope was
enough to satisfy me that the mate was
right. The vessel was sharp built Of
light draught, and rugged like a brigan-
tine. Her mast raked very slightly; be-
side the canvass usual 10 such rig, she
was fitted to carry a luggersail, which,
when spread before the wind, would add
to her spead. In addition, she was
pierced for twenty-five sweeps. Her
decks were crowded with men.
Its no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin,' !
said, but she may not be a pirate for all
that One need not be surprised to fall
in with SLAYER. hereabouts.'
Shes no SLAYER, captain.
why do you think so?'
Because there are guns on her deck
Instead of water casks.
1 did not say she had a cargo of slaves,
[ replied
'Tlen why does she carry SO many
guns on deck? If without a cargo, her
guns should be below; if with one there
should be more guns on deck. If that
ain pirate never believe me again.'
What arms have you, MI Larkin! /
asked.
'An old horse pistol with 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.
Yes, cut our throats, replied the mate,
walking forward
We made all the sail we could, but
fifteen minutes satisfied me that escape
was impossible. The report of gun
from the pirate, and shot whstled over
us, speedily brought US to. The pirate
came quietly along, like panther Which,
sure Of It's prey, was iii no great hurry 10
seize it. The moment he came within
speaking distance he bailed, aud ordered
ME to launch boat and come Ola board.
We got the quarter boat, and | was
about to jump iuto her, to pay respects III
person to the villains, when Mr.. l,arkin
asked leave to g.
III they want the captain said be. 'lct
them send for him. I'll see if the mste
wont answer as Weii
He had scarcely put his foot Gu the
deck of the pirate, when he again APP
peared Oh the raj! and descended to the
boat, which began To pull back. Almost
the same instant a launch was swung
over the rail. into which twenty savage
looking rascal>, armed to the teeth,
sprang, and pulled towards us. Ten
minutes afterwards they were Oh board
of my vessel, aud began clearing away
the main hatch
The leader, a swartay fellow, whose
square, compact frame Indicated strength,
aud whose eyes, black and hazy, aud
half concealed by the lids, expressed cru
city and cunning, approached the CABIN
hatch where | stood, apd addressed me
in tolerable English.
Are you the captain of this vessel?
Yes replied.
What 5 your carSo:'
Flour
Where from?
Boston
Where TO-
Cape de Verde
why they are all starving there, he
said, opeuipg his eyes and looking iuli
at me.
Yes, the -four in my vessel was freely
given by good Christians to feed the poor
starving people.
The rascal continued his deliberate
gaze a moment, then turned towards bis
men, ami in q rough eoRTaE&lu3 tone,
spoke few words in Spanish, which |
could not make out. The men looked
| up in astonishment and then withdrew to
the side, where they stood gazing eau
tiously towards their captain, FOR such
| was my interrogater He thrust his
hand behind him, and walking quickly
to and fro for Eve MINUTES; then tprnlug
to me, he said sharply, you Americans
are all heretics-why should you send
flour to feed starving Catholics!'
Because they are our fellow men, aid
| their Savior is our Savior l answered,
| astonished at the conduct of the man.
IF YOU lie to me, he cried with start
ling 6erceness, IF you lie TO me, I'll nail
! you down to your own deck! Is this car
90 the gift of your coun.rymen to the
starving
I'll prove it to you by my papers, |
answered.
1 don't want to see your papers, he
returned. Swear by the Savior whose
name you have just pronounced As ne
spoke he crossed himself devoutly.
L swear by the Holy Trinity, [ replied