Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-11-22
splnnet's Adventure with a Pirate

Stern fate employs to keep apart.
spin"et's Adventure with a Pirate
There lived: not many years ago. on the eastern
shofe OF MI Desert, which is large island off the
coast OF Maine, an old fisherman by the name ri
JededIah Spinnet, who owned a schooner of some
hundred tons burden, in which he, together with
four stout sons, wont to 90 about once vaar
to the Grand Banks for the purpose of CATCHING cod
fish The old man had five things, upon the pecu.
liar merits OF which he loved to boast-hs scboone,
and his four The first had seen her sixth wear
and was stout, well-but craft, but as for beauty
ana remarkable speed, she could not be said to pos
sess much of either quality. The four sons how
ever, were all that their father represented them to
be, and no one ever doubted his word when he said
that their like was not to be found for fifty miles
around The oldest was thirtytwo, while the young
est had just completed his twenty-sixth year and
they answered to the names of Seth, Andrew, John
and Smauel
One bright morning in early spring, Captain Spin
net was sitting upon the bottom of small skiff
which had been keeled up on the beach, earnestly
engaged in smoking an old pipe, and congratualing
himself on his possession Of the schooner which Law
| at anchor about cables length from the shore
when he was aroused by the approach of a stranger
The new conner was man of about fifty wears of
age, very good looking, and withal one whose an
pearance betokened the man of wealth.
Good morning SIR said he, as he came up to
the spot where the old fisherman was sitting
Same to you, SIR" answered Spinnet, removing
the pipe from his mouth, and at the same time en-
yelOping his head in a cloud of smoke.
''Can you inform me where l can find Captain
Spinnet - asked the stranger.
" ell, you needn't go any further, for I reckon
I'm the only Captain Spinnet in this quarter"
All, I'm glad of that for 1 feared you might
"Ifyou|d a come day later, guess you would
ave found me gone.'
Then I'm just in time
"Phaps so,' laconically replied the fisherman as
he gave another Whit at the old pipe.
. You have been recommended to me as a man
who might be trustcd'
. | never get trusted, stranger I'm O those
kind as pays.everything the nail"
"Ah you misunderstood me-" said the new conner
with smile. " alluded to your faithfulncss when
placed in charge of an important trust.''
THAT'S it. Ell! Then # 'ull find man that says
Jed Spnnet amt as honest hard silver dollar
I'd like to him. and the old mans fist came
down with a tremendous thump upon the bottom o
the boat.
- don't doubt it in the least" replied the stran
gea and now I'll tell you what l want of you
have large quantity of goods not far from here
which l wish to have carried to Havana Do 20,
[ think you could find the way there ?"
~ Just give me true chart, an | reckon can pu
Betsy Jenkins through anywhere
:Who is Betsy Jenkins 2" asked the stranger
), while another smile played around his mouth.
n Do you see that schooner out there o.
q "Yesn
'WelI, that's Betsy Jenkins, replied the old fish
V erman, as he cast look of pride at his favorit
X craft,
y Then would you be willing to put Betsy throug
t to Havana o.
10 g That depends all teWgether pom circumstance
n stranger"
.c 'The business is honest the cargo ie light, an
the pay shall be good You must have it ON boar
id before the week is OUT and get out pc
Ie sible'
e. You say the cargo is ight--might ask what
o. lit Z"
n said it was light because there is but little of
is but what there is is iron machinery for putting
TT steam engines the sugar plantations. The vess
ct in which it was shipped from Liverpool ca
* away Gouldsborough, and now must find son
~ other conveyance.
G: In less than hour it was settled that the Bet
nv Jenkins should be put through" to Havana, al
or all the prelimnares satisfactorily arranged
that effect. Capt Spinnet got his sons on board tt
at schooner hove up the anchor, and started for Il
ks place where the cargo laid, taking the owner, Nj
er Morton along with him. All hands set to wo
with will, and in two DAYS everything was safe al
err snug in the fshermans hold all ready for a start
EN- MIR. Morton did not accompany his goods
to had business to attend to in New York. and Cal
Spinnet and his sons received all the necessary
de sructions and then set sail for their destination
Nv The schooner had fair wind, and she went wal
tx ing along in right merry mood, at the rate of
ng and seven knots nothing of Importance occurred
8 til one morning just after Sam had cleared away
is breakfast things. Sam was the youngest, and h
he 10 no theSe sort OF thlngS) ell, just as Sam
i've got the last tin pan clearly washed and slowed
IRE in the locker, be happened cast his eyes out
bod the cabin window and as the schooner's stern IT
md upon the top of heavy sea- the iutter of VIII
sail caught his attention off upon the starboard GU
ter, and fastening deck he made known his d
eEa covery In less than half hour the stranger
ris made out to be topmast schooner, coming drec
alf. down upon them. The Down Easter was head
the S. S. w, and had the wind from the northrd a
a. westrd while the stranger was coming down. wi,
in- and-wing right before it. Now, there was nothi
isl very astonishing about seeing strange schooner
those ATTITUDES but still Capt Spnnet could
help feeling that under existing circumstances tn
ady might be danger abroad. Had the sail in quest
ing been discovered head astern, or had she e,
up been making in for the coast. nothing would hi
ea thought of it. but it was, the old fisherman
as only think that he the sole object of the feo
seS: course.
; so Seth" said the old man, turning to his ED
ices son, who had the helm, that chaps after US,
'ter mistake
an "Spose'n we luff bit, an see," remarked Sell
nto "Try it."
the The fsherman's head was brought three poi
nearer to the wind, and in few moments afterWa
lied the strangers main-boom swung over, she,
warning her course in proportion. ~ --sf =. q