The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-11-02

Eighteen years ago. the ship commanded Wa
dancing over the waves, on mission " lhJ,ol
Laden by generous contributions o. view ELI
land city. she was bound 10 the cape ue teras
with bread for the famine. stricken anu Dying
Brighter skies never gladdened the sailors heaf
than those which bent over us pleasanter gale
never filed the sails of the sea-journeyer, tina
those which sped us to the haven where we shouI
be; and now may God have the ship 10 his hoi
Keeping" the prayer which concluded the oil
English bill of lading, was heard and granted, ".
felt as we trOd on the deck of the stout craft who's
errand was to succor the destitute.
We were all in high spirits, forward in the for
castle and aft in the cabin. Sailors, who are ofe
so hungry, liable at any moment to be put upo
short allowance, and compelled at times to last Ell
tirely, knew better than the landsmen how to pill
those whom famine threatens. Jack has read
sympathy for the man who has no biscuit in h
locker.
1t was now the fourteenth day out-just in tn
first gray of the morning-that the mate arouse,
me with the startling intelligence that suspicion
vessel was in sight. With the first ray of lighD
the vigilant officer had deserted her, and she wa
so near as to be made out with glass. | wa
on deck in an instant.
The first glance at the strange ship almost dE
PEELED the fears that the mates alarm had OCCu
stoned.
"Why, Mr.. Larkin," l said, laughing as
spoke, . there's nothing suspicious in that lubbaI
ly looking craft. She's Portuguese brgantine-
she can't saIl.''
g She looks like that build, I" said the man, ''bu
she is built for sailing, and she'll spread -canya
IN a wind like this, thatll send her skimming Tx
gull over the sea. And look now at the men @
her deck
The glance through the telescope was enough {
satisfy me that the mate was right. The vessel wa
sharp built of light draught, and rugged like brig
gantine. Her masts raked very slightly; besid
the canvas usual 10 such rig, she was fitted t
carry logger sail, when spread before the winf
would add to her speed. In addition, she wa
pierced for % sweeps. Her decks were crowde
with men.
''It's no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin, . said 'Bl
she may not be pirate for all that. One nee
not be surprised to fall in with SLAYER hereabouts
She's no SLAYER, Captain
Why do you think sop
Because there are guns on her deck Instead
water casks
81 did not say she had a cargo of slaves in, -
replied
g Then why does she carry SO many guns O
deck. If that amt pirate, never believe me.''
AS tito put an end to our speculation and clef
mp the mystery, the suspicious craft began to prea
more canvas, and as she gathered away with Il
lreshening breeze, they ran up to her foremost
flag, which, when il reached the truck "a
shook its folds TO the wind On a white gr0ur
we saw the terrible insignia of The freebooter, tn
deaths head and crosa-bones painted in diaboc,
blaak
thought so, said Mr. Larkin, quietly, al
the ship has no guns"
What arms have you, Mr., Larkin !" asked.
An old horse pistol, with the lock out of order
And have oriY old fowing piece and e.
PAIR ofpistols fear these fellows will make the
own terms with u.s."
Yes cut our throats," replied the mate waikiki
forward.
We made all the sail we could, but fifteen nin,lt.
satisfied me that escape was impossible. The It
port OF gun from the pirate, and a shot whistn
over US, speedily brought us TO. The pirate can
quietly along, like panther which, sure of il
prey, was in no hurry TO seize it, The moment
came within speaking distance, he hailed, and
dered me to launch boat and come on board. W
got the quarter-bOat, and was about to jump in
her, to pay my respects in person to the villain
when Mr. LarlIin asked leave to go.
III they want the captain said he " let the
send for hun. I'll see if the mate won't answer
we'll"
He had scarcely put his foot on the deck Of H.
pirate, when he again appeared on the rail, and d.
scended TO the boat which began 10 pull back A
most at the same instant, launch was swung oy.
the rail into which twenty savage-looking rascal
armed to the teeth, sTrang and pulled towards Ii
len minutes afterwards they were on board Of Il
vessel, and began clearing away the main hatch.
The leader, swarthy fellow, whose squa,
compact frame indicated strength and whose eye
black and hazy, and half concealed by the lid
expressed cruelty and cunning, approached Ii
cabin hatch where stood, and addressed me j
tolerable Englsh
" Are you the captain of this vessel!"
Yes" replied,
What's your cargo?"
" Flour"
"Where 'front.'"
" Boston,
"Where TO :"
" Cape de Yerdes"
why they are all starving there - he said, opeI
ing his eyes and looking full at me.
" les, and the flour in my vessel was freely ri,
en- by good Christians to feed these starving people
oil
ment, then turned toward his men, and, in a roug
commanding tone, spoke few words in SPANS
which | could not make out The men looked "
IN establishment, and then Withdrew to the sid
where they stood gazing cautiously toward the
captain, for such was my interrogation. He thru,
fnr hand behind him and walked quickly 10 and Il
sharply '''''' '''i''''s 10 ms ne Sd
"a 1n,,-s;ans are all heretics-whv shour
g Recanso tbe,, starving Catholics 2"
Sov;onr onr Snyo,r ,our fellow men, and the
the conduct of the man answered, astonished ,
" If you lie to me, he cried ",
ness, If you lie to me, I'll nail y6 mere
own deck Is this cargo the gift of Wv 5wh 10 yo
men to the starving? country
" III prove it to you by my papers," ansy,.
don't want to see your papers, he returned
" swear by the Saviour, whose name you have iu
pronounced" As he spoke, he crossed hims,
devoutly.
al swear by the holy Trinity" replied, St
EMMY.
The pirate lifted his cap, and bent his head i
voutly when l mentioned the Trinity He sto
still, with his head bent over, while one mig
moderately have counted fifty When he rails
himself up, it seemed to me there was less feroc
in his countenance. His eyes were no longer h
closed, but open and clear in their depths | look
steadily at him.
Captain, said he, courteously, can you 81
ply me with two or three casks of water 20