Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-04-14
FEARFUL ADVENTURE WITH 4
PIRATE,

There lived, not many years ago, on the
astern shore of Mt. Desert large is
and of the coast of Maine, an old fish
rman by the name of Jedediah Spinnet,
Who owned schooner of some hundred
ons burden, in which he, together with
our stout sons, was wont to go, about
once year, to the Grand Banks for the
purpose of catching Goldfish, The old
nan had FIVE things. upon the peculiar
merits of which he loved to boast-his
schooner, Betsy Jenkins and his four
IONS were all that their father represented
hem to be, and no one ever doubted his
word when he said their like was not to
,e found for fifty miles around. The
Oldest was thirty-two, while the youngest
lad just completed his twenty-sixth year,
and they answered to the names of Seth,
Andrew, John and Samuel.
One morning stranger called on Jed
dediah to engage him to take to Havana
some iron machinery belonging to steam
engines for sugar plantations, The terms
were soon agreed npon, and the old man
and his sons Immediately set about putting
the machinery on board that accom-
plished, they set sail for Havana, with a
fair wind, and for several days proceeded
on their course without an adventure Of
any kind, One morning, however, q YES
sci was deserted off their starboard quar-
ter, which, after some hesitation, the old
man pronounced to be pirate. There
was not much time allowed them for
doubling, for the vessel soon saluted them
with very agreeable whizzing of an
eighteen pound shot just under their
stern.
"That means for us to heavc to-" re.
marked the old man.
Then guess we'd better do it,
hadn't We o. said Seth.
"Ofcourse."
Accordingly the Betsy Jenkins was
brought up into the wind, and her main
boom hauled over to the windward,
CHOW. boys" said the old man, as soon
as the schooner came to a stand, call we
can do is to be as cool as possible, and
trust to fortune. There is no way to es.
cape that can see now, but perhaps if
VIC are civil they will take such stuff as
they want, and then let us go. AT any
rate there is no use in crying about it, for
it can't be helped. Now, get your pis-
tolls, and see that they are surely loaded,
and have your knives ready but be sure
and hide them so that the pirates shall see
no show of resistance. In u few moments
oil the arms the schooner afforded, with
theiexception of one or two old muskets,
were secured about the persons of our
Down Casters, and they quietly awaited
the coming of the schooner
"One word more, boys" said the old
man, Just as the pirate came round under
the stern. "NoW watch every movement
| make. an be ready to jump the moment
speak"
AS Captain Spinnet ceased speaking,
the pirate lufed up under the fsherman's
Ice quarter. and in moment more the
latter's deck was graced by the presence
Of dozen as savage looking mortals as
syes ever rested upon,
Are you the captain of this vessel ?"
asked the leader of the boarders, as he
approached the old man.
Yes SIR
"What is your cargo ?"
Machinery for steam ingins."
Nothing else ?" asked the pirate with
q searching look.
At this moment Captain Spinnet's eye
caught what looked like sail to the
south I'D and east'rd, but not sign be-
trayed the discovery, and while brilliant
idea shot through his mind, he hesitating-
" replied;
else" 1aa {
(" Fla, and what is it?"
"Why. sir, P'raps hadn't ought to
tell, /" said Captain Spinnet, counterieiting
the most extreme perturbation. .. You
AN take anything else you please. for /
pose l can't help myself" -
/" You are an honest codger. at any
ste," said the pirate, " but if you would
re ten minutes longer. Just teiime what
,u've got on board, and exactly the place
here It laya.'' 60 --.s's !
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