The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-08-11
THE OLD MAN AND PIRATE.
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.

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& ss BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.
q Early in the month Of August. 1911, Z
good sized brig started from Boston, bound
for New Orleans. On board there was ar
old man, named Adam Writ, who went ou
for tho purpose Of seeking an only son, who
he had learned, was somewhere on the
coast Of the Gull Of Mexico. Adam Wir
was weslthy. but for years he had been
alone to dwell amid its glitter. When the
old man had taken second wife TO his
home, his son Loudon, stepped from be.
meath his fathers roof, and swore that SO
long a. the step mother lived, he would
not cross ito threshold again. That sec.
ond wife was now dead, and feeling sad
in his loneliness, the old man resolved ia
seek his child.
The brig had good weather. and for sew.
eral DAYS nothing occurred to break the
monotony on the voyage; but at length,
one of tho lookouts reported sail to the
soulhward and eastward. The wind was
from the east. and the brig had it slightly
abaft the beam, as her course lay south
west. Captain Poole brought his glass
from the cabin and after gazing upon the
stranger some ten minutes. made her out
10 bs schooner standing directly towards
them.
IA "Where do you think she's bound?'
asked old Adam Writ, as he heard the
captains report.
'.Couldn't say yet" replied the captain,
again levelling his glass upon the stranger,
II can tell you better after watching her a
spell"
Fifteen minutes more passed, and at the
end Of that time Capt. Poole lowered his
glass. and while slight tremor shook his
frame he uttered:
"The schooner is falling off,"
Sand what OF that?" asked the old man,
who had not feared to notice .he captain s
manner.
"What of it? why simply that the fellow
is bound for this brig"
"Wants to speak to US. / suppose" said
Writ. e
"Very likely" returned the captain. as
he turned to take look at the compass,
and then cast his eyes aloit; and again
turning to the old man, he continued:
"You need be under no needless alarm
sir. but, in all probability that schooner Is
q pirate"
"A pirate," reiterated Writ, while his
face assumed livid hue. Then what in
heavens name shall we dol"
1--WE shall have to make the best Of it;
for oi two things we may rest assured; we
can neither run away from him, nor fight
him. Look! his deck is crowded with
men.
The briggs crew had by this time become
aware Of the nature Of the schooner, and
a. may be supposed, they felt anything but
comfortable under the conviction thus ar.
rived at. Tae brig was quite heavily load
cd, and at best she was but an unpromis-
ing sailor, while the schooner, with the
wind full upon her quarter, came dashing
along at furious rate. A consultation
was held upon the quarter deck and il was
at length agreed upon that the brig should
be kept on her course, and if ordered by
the pirate to heave.to, they would do so at
once, and offer no resistance, which, II
offered at all, could only render their posi-
ton worse.
In an hour and half the pirate had
como up TO within aquarter of mile, and
fred gun to windward, and in few
moments afterwards the brig was lying to
with her malntopsail TO the mast. The
crew watched the schooner as she began
to round to, and though they could not
repress an instructive dread. yet they ielt
almost confident that no violence would
be used SO long as they showed no resist.
ance; nor in this were they disappointed
for a. the schooner ranged alongside, and
the pirates began to flock on board, no
signs Of murderous intent were manifested.
The pirate captain was the first to board
the brig. He was young man, in the
prime Of life; and next TO follow him was
. fair haired, handsome youth, who seem.
cd to hang upon his commanders steps
with strange mixture Of devotion and
fear. f
"Do you ccmmand this yessel?" asked
the pirate leader Of Capt. Poole.
eyes sir" replied Poole.
"Then Of course you will have no OBJ
lection to my ovsfhauling your cargo. SIR
said the pirate, With slight smile. "for
you have some articles to which might
take fancy.
IF | am mistaken" returned Captain
Poole, 'you will need no permission from
mo, a. am unable to resist"
"You show your good judgment. atlsast'
and il you will lead the way. will take .
look in At your cabin first"
Az the pirate captain thus spoke, he
turned towards the companion-way, and
was just upon the point Of starting for the
cabin, whom his eye caught the eye Of A
W., and at the sight he started back Al
though hs had seen spirit from the Other
world. Ths old man too, seemed equally
starsled, for o. he gazsd into the face Of thu
pirate, fearful trsmor shook his whole
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