The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1851-01-03

IN" | replied.
"Then why does she carry so many
guns on deck. Ifthat ant pirate never
believe me.''
As if to put an end toour speculation
and clear up the mystery the suspicious
craft began to spread moe canvas, and as
she gathered away viii the freshening
breeze, they ran up to hF foremast a flag,
which when it reached tie truck unshook
It's folds to the wind. Oh a white ground
we saw the terrible insignia of the freeboot-
er, the deaths head and qoss bones paint
ed in diabolical black.
81 thought So said Mr. Larkin, quiet
ly, 'sand the ship has no guns"
what arms have you, MI. Larkin?" |
asked.
San old horse pistol, win the lock out
Of orders
Sand have only an Old fowling piece
and a pair Of pistols. fear these fellows
will make their own te1ns with u.s."
"Yes, cut our throats,' replied the mate
walking forward.
We made all the sail we could, but fif-
teen minutes satisfied me- that escape was
impossible. The report pf gun from the
pirate, and a shot whistliIg over us speed
lily brought us to.
The pirate came qui,tly along, like a
panther sure of its prey, was in no hurry
to seize it. The momem he came within
speaking distance, lie hsiled and ordered
me to launch boat ami come on board.
We got the quarter-boat, and was about
to jump into her. to paymy respects in
person to the villain, wien Mr.. Larkin
asked leave to go.
''If they want the captain said he, sslet
them send for him. Ill zee ifthe mate
don't answer as WE'LL"
He had scarcely put his loot on the deck
of the pirate, when he agan appeared on
the rail, and descended to boat, which be-
gan to pull back. Almat at the same
instant, launch was swung over the rail,
into which twenty savage looling rascals,
armed to the teeth, sprang and pulled to-
ward US. Ten minutes afterwards they
were on board of my vessel, and began
clearing away the main hatch.
The leader, swarthg fellow, whose
square compact frame indicated strength,
and whose eyes expressed cruelty and cum
ming, approached the CABIN hatch where |
stood and addressed me insolerable English:
'Are you the captain Of this vesseI!''
"Yes," replied.
"What's your cargo?'
"Flour.''
"Where FRONT"
"Boston."
'Where to?"
ssCape de Verdes.''
"Why, they are all starving there" he
said, opening his eyes and looking full at
me.
.'Yes, and the flour in my vessel was
freely given by good Christians to feed those
starving people,
The rascal continuedhis deliberate gaze
a moment, then turned toward his men,
and in a rough commanding tone, spoke a
few words in Spanish, which | could not
make out. Themen looked up in astonish-
ment, and then withdrew tothe side, where
they stood gazing cautiously toward their
captain, for such was NY interrogator. He
thrust his hands behind him and walked
quickly to and fro for five minutes; then
turning to me, he saidsharpIy:
"You Americans are all heretics-why
shouldyou send flour to feed starving Cath
olics?,'
Because they are pur fellow men, and
their Savior our Savior" answered, aston
ished at the conduct Of the man.
.'If you lie to me-" he cried, with start
ling fierceness, 4sif you lie to me, I'll nail
you down to your owndeckl Is this cargo.
the gift of your own countrymen to the
starving?"
I'll prove it you by my papers," I
81 don't want to see your papers," he
returned, 'swear by the Savior, whose
name you have just pronounced" As he
spoke, he crossed himself devoutly.
Il swear by the Holy Trinity" replied.
The pirate lifted his cap, and bent his
head devoutly when / mentioned the Trim
ity. Hestood still, with his head bent over,
while one might moderately count fifty.
When he raised himself up, it, seemed 10
me there was less ferocity in his counte.
nance. His eyes were no longer half clos
ed, but open and clear in their depths; |
looked steadily at him.
eCaptain, said he courteously, can you
supply me with two or three casks of wa
ter?''
I gave the order and the water was low
cred into the boat. A word from him sent
his cutthroats over the side but he fingered
behind, and, a moments hesitation, as
though he half repented Of his resolution,
and was almost ashamed Of what he was
doing. he approached me with his hand
extended
"God bless yon," he exclaimed, as he
felt my grasp, sand send you where the
starving are praying for bread.''
The next moment he was gone. It is
very probable that the piratical rascal was
hung, as he no doubt deserved
10 be. But however terrible his fate, am
sure that from his heart, scared and callous
with crime, and self-desecrated, there burst
forth little warm gIimmer of light which
somewhat the desolation. and
though it could not entirely dis
pei, the gloom of his dying hour.