The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-04
TIE PIRATE.
,NrLuENcE OF CHARITY EVEN ON BAD MEs

. F.
Eighteen years agn, the ship icommald-
cd was dancing over the waves, on a mis-
sion OF mercy. Laden by generous con-
tributions of d New England city. she was
bound to the Cape de Verbs with bread lor
the famine-siricken aud dying. Brighter
skies never gladden. the sailors heart than
those which bent over US; pleasanter gales
never filed the sails OF a sea jourieyer,
than those which sped US to the haven
where We should be; ..and row may God
have the ship in his holy keeping" the
PRAYER which concluded the old English
Lilllof lading was heard and granted. was
fels Ne we trod on the de,k of the stout
Graf, whose erraDd was to succor the des.
a,tute. ,as fea
We were all IN high spirits. forward in
the forecastls, and alt in, the cabin. Sail,
orr, who are often SO hungry: liable at any
moment TO be put upon short allowance.
and compelled at times to iast entirely
know better how TO pity those whom fam
inc threatens. Jack mas ready sympathy
for the man who has no biscuit in his locker.
II was now the lourteenth day out-iust
in the firsi gray Of the nor,ing-that the
mate aroused ne with thu startling intIli-
gence that suspicious vessel was IN sight.
With the first ray Of light the y'gilant off
\ Ger had deserted her. and she was SO near
as 10 be made out with glass. was on
deck in an Instant y
The first glance al the strange ship al.
most dlspelled the, fear that tho mates
alarm had occasioEed. III
's..Why Mr.. Larkin," Isaid laughing as
spoke, .shere's nothing suspicinus in
that Iuberly-lookipg craft She'sa Portu.
guese BrigaIEine can 'isail.
..She looks like thai build.'' said f,e
man. .bui she's $ bulk Tor sailing aud she'll
spread canvas in. q wiHd like this that'll
send her skinnnipg like u gull over the sea.
And lock now al the men on her deck"
The glance through the telescope was
enough 10 salty me that the mate was
right The vessel was sharp built, OF light
draught, and rugged like brigantine.
Her masis raked very slightly; beside the
canvas usual to such a rig, she was fitted
10 Cary a lugger 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 with,
men,
s.lt's no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin," !
said; '..but she may not be a pirate Tor all
that. One need not be surprised to fall in
with SLAYER hereabouts."
sssShe's no SLAYER. Captain"
3ssWhy do you think sol'' I,
"Becauss there are guns on her deck in
stead oil water casks. /"
Il did nots say she had cargo Of slaves
in,. replied.
ssThen why does she carry so many
guns on deckl II without cargo her
guns should be below; il with one, there
should be more guns on deck. lf that
amt pirate never believe me again"
As ii TO put an end to our speculations
and clear up the mystery, the suspicious
craft began 10 spread more canvas. and as
she gathered way with the freshening
breeze, they ran up to her foremost a flag.
which, when il reached the truck unshook
lis folds to the wind. Onthe white ground
We saw the terrible insignia Of the Ireeboot-
er, the deatfi 's-nead and bones, painted in
diabolical black. ~
II thought so." said Mr.. Larkin. quiet
) ly,"Aud the ship has no guns
s'What arms have you, Mr.. Larkinl's /
asked.
E'sAn Old horse.pistol with the lock out Of
order N, s Is sss
.And Lhaye only a fowling piece and a
pair Of pistols, fear those fellows will
make their own terms with US. =
essYes. cutour throats,v replied the mate.
waking forward M 3 ri
We made all the sail we could, but fir-l
teen minutes satisfied me that escape was
impossible. The report Of q gun from the