The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1850-10-30
L.s9MLLANN1TS.
The Pirate
OR AN

1uCluSuL III lisb Alie VI d Ccd Odp tdIu'
Eighteen years ago, the ship commanded
was dancing over the waves, on a mission Of
mercy. Laden by the generous contributions
ola New England city, she was bound 10 the
Cape de Verdes, with bread for the famine
stricken and dying. Brighter skies never
eladdensd The sailors hear, than those which
ben, over US; pleasanter gales never filled the
sails of the sea journeyer, than those which
sped % 10 the haven where se should be
:" and now may God have the ship in his holy
keeping" The prayer which concluded the cd
Eaglsh bill Of lading was heard and granted,
we felt as We trod on the deck OF the stout
craft, whose errand was 10 succor the desti-
tuie.
We were all in high splris, forward in the
forecss,c, and of in the cabin. Sailors, who
are often so hungry. liable at any moment to
be pu, upon shor. allowance and compelled al
times TO fss, entirely, know better than the
landsmen how TO pity those whom famine
threatens. Jack has ready sympathy for the
man who has 20 biscuit in his locker.
I, was 90 the fourteenth day ou.-jus. in
The first gray Of the mornlng-that the mate
aroused me with the startling Intelligence that
a suspicious vessel was 10 sight. With the
first ray Of light, the vigaut officer had de
scred her, and she was SO near as to be made
on, wuh glass. was 90 deck IN an instant.
The frat glance at The strange ship amos,
dspelled the fear tina, the mates aerm had
occasioned.
= She's 10 SLAYER captain"
4" Why do you think SO p
Because there are guns on her deck in
stead OF waller Casks"
81 did no, say she had a cargo Of slaves
TO-" replied.
Then why does she carry SO many guns
on deck 7 II without cargo, her guns should
be below; if with one. there should be more
guns on deck. If that ain, pirate, never be
lieve me again"
As if TO put an end 10 our speculation. ant
clear up the mystery, the suspicious Graf, be
gan TO spread more canvass and as she gath
cred away with the freshening breeze, they
ran up to the foremas. flag, which, when il
reached the truck, unshook its folds to the
wind. On white ground We saw ths terri
bic insignia Of the free. booler, the death,
head and cross bones, painted 10 diabollca
black.
III though, SO" said Mr.. L1tkiu, quietly
"snd The ship has no guns"
"What arms have you, Mr. Larkin y
asked.
"An old horse. pistol, with the lock on, o
order"
"And have only en- old fowling piece sns
pair Of pistols. | fear these fellows vii
make their own terms with u.s."
"Yss, Gu, our ,broa,s," replied the mate
walking forward.
We made all the sail we could, bu. f ,eer
minutes satisfied me that escape was Imposs
BILE. The report Of gun from the pirate, anc
ashos whstlng over Us, speedily brought Us to
The pirate came quietly along, like panther
which, sure Of its prey, was in no great hur.
~ to seizs il. The momen, he came in speak.
Jog distance be hailed, and ordered me to
launch q boat and come On board. We 10,
the quarter. boat and was about TO jump into
her. to pay my respects in person 10 the vii
lains, when Mr.. Laikin asked leave to 60.
"If they want the csptsin," ssid be, "le