Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-10-05
CbuirR IitRraturR.
From the Magnolia.
The Pirates and the Palatines.
A LEGEND OF NORTH CAROLINA.

LEGEND OF NORTH CAROLINA.
There Is tradition of the North Caro-
lima shores, which we have at present IN
crude state, but which, In the hands OF
some of our romancers, may be wroughtln-
to a most beautiful fiction. 1t has been
subject of even recent assertion, certlhed
by the sworn testimonies of credible per-
sons, that annually at a certain period IN
every year, luminous object, having the
exact appearance of ship on fire, appears
upon the coast. Seeming to burn furious
ly, it yet speeds along, undiminished in IL
cry bulk and volume sailing with incred-
ible rapidity until out of sight but again
suddenly re-appearing, at the original point,
and pursuing the same identical route .
and in its progress, to and fro, it continues
throughout that particular night OF the
year which is appropriated to It's exhlbi-
tlon.
This singular spectacle is accounted for
by the following story. The burning ship
goes by the name of the "Ship of the Pal
atines" The tradition is, that some time
in the reign of the first George, small
company of that class of emigrants who
were known as German Palatines, were
provided with a ship in London, at the pub
lie expense, that they might be transported
to this country. 1t is we'll known that this
sort of assistance was frequently rendered
to class Of people, who were in most ca
ses exceedingly poor. 1t so happened, how
ever, that the Palatines in question were
in rather better circumstances than was
commonly the case with their countrymen.
They had money, but with shrewd cum
ming, they affected a degree of poverty,
without the notoriety of which, the help
Of government-not to speak of private
charities-would have been withheld
They had accumulated gold, vessels of sill
yer, goods Of various kinds and value, their
whole stock had been parsimoniously pre-
served, and carefully concealed, with all
the art of small and selfish community.
Their treasures occupied but little space,
and were cautiously put from sight in the
mass of their inferior baggage. In this
condition of things they went on board the
vessel which had been provided for them
and soon after put out to sea.
The voyage was u prOtracted one, in a
half rotten bark and with head winds a
great part of the time. Wearied out with
confinement, and sickened with sort of
travel to which they were unaccustomed,
the poor Palatines were heartily rejoiced
when they at length saw land. They made
the coast of North Carolina lato in the day,
and seeing the shores 50 nigh, the poor crea-
lures, half mad with joy, began to hoist up
their baggage in readiness for the promised
landing. But they were destined to be
disappointed. In the excitement of the
occasion and moment, they forgot their
prudence, and made an ostentatious display
of their wealth, which led the Captain Of
their vessel to suspect their possession o
it. His greedy eye had beheld their trea
sures, or his greedy ear had heard thei
foolish boast of possessions which they ha(
never made public in England.
This discovery awakened the devil in hi
heart. He gave the sign to his mate >
perhaps intimated his object to the seamel
generally. In those days the profession O
piracy was not as odious as it is in ours
Successful piracy, indeed, was rather al
honorable business, and he who practiceC
it with most profit, was likely also to ac
quire from it most honor. 1t was only dis
creditable, like any other speculation, whel
improbable. At all events, the Captain
determined upon possessing himself of til
wealth of the poor emigrants, contrived
battle their purpose of landing upon tn
shores which seemed to them so nigh an
inviting. 1t was not difficult for him s
to manage his vessel as to convince ther
that landing was impossible until the ensu
ing day. The hope deferred which maket
the heart sick, drove the greater part {
them to their hammocks. Their baggage
with the unhappily exposed wealth, was
gain restored to the interior of the ship
But few young men sat upon the decl
watching the faint lines of the land, unit
swallowed up in darkness even then, wit
eyes straining in the direction of the sho
for which they yearned, conversing toget
er, in their own language, in hope and CO
fdent expectation of their future fortune
Whilst thus employed, the Captain and h
crew, in another part of the vessel, we
concocting their fearful scheme of villain
The hour grew late, the night deepeneC
the few Germans who remained on dec
stretched themselves out where they wei
and were soon composed in slumber, VIII
thus-under the peaceful cope and canol
Of heaven, in slumber which the solen
starlight, looking down upon, seemed
hallow-the merciless murderers, with ca
tious footsteps and barred weapon, set up
them. The cabin door of the vessel h
been fastened-the entrances closed to d
hold. Each seaman stood by his victi
and at given signal they all struck
gether. There was no chance given 1
struggle-the murderers had planned tn
crime with consummate d0liberation a
skill. A spasmodic throe of some muse
lar frame faint cry-a slight groan N
have escaped the victims-but little mo-
At least, the poor sleepers below were
aroused by the event,
The derk cleared of the murdered me
the murderers descended stealthily to
work below. Passing from berth to bel
with the most isndish GOODNESS they stru,
seldom twice-almost always fataliy-m
women AMI children the old Tho yo,,