Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-01-18

3 were in the boats; and the breeze which had
sprang up, and which proved steadys was provi-
dental interpositon in our behalf Our prepara-
tions were steadily made, and the skipper steered
with such caution as gradually to approach the
7 schooner, of which we had the advantage in the
first effects of the breeze, without exciting suspic-
ions of his intention on board. 1t was some min
utes before the boats perceived the increased
speed of the brig, and even then they pulled less
vigorously than they. Notwithstanding still to
preserve their plan of attack. The brig had now
full steerage way on her, and was closing with the
schooner, on. whose decks there appeared some
stir. ss.r..s .:..,.
"Stand by, now, gentlemen" said the skipper
as. he gave few rapid turns to the wheel
F"Pick that fellow off who is steering, major, the
first one.'' -~-......- ...e,,s-....-.. -. s~
g.; Our intention was now understood on board the
pirate, but too late for effective resistance They
fired one of the carronades without damage to us
|--in reply to which, a single shot from the ma
jors rife brought down the man at the Wheel
The report of firearms gave a new impetus to the
boats, and they headed direct for ,ls-but we were
moving pretty fast through the water. The skipper
laid us we'll alongside; our grapples were thrown;
them, leaped on board with the rest of the men,
and cut down two three pirates who were en-
deavoring to make ready the "long gum The
major and his command were equally prompt, and
in less than three minutes the decks were cleared
and the schooner in our possession. sNow, how
ever, came the tug of war. The collision of the
vessels, had checked their headway, and the
breeze which had served we'll was diving
out while the pirates boats containing about for
ty armed and desperate wretches, were fast COM
ing up with us. They were already in musket
range, and the majors force quietly picking
them off. This, however, only enraged them the
more, and it seemed to me they must reach us,
and give us hard struggle for our lives. 1
"Captain,'' said to skpper,Who had coolly
retained hisstationa the Wheel ''can you let her
yaw off when give the word!' g. -+5
aye! aye!'' was the prompt reply. III
Taking two men whom I had recognized as
memo wars men, and one two others of the
crew forward with me, l cast off the long gun,
which I found loaded, and rammng home anoth- |
er strand of grape depressed the piece and pre-
pared to fire.
"Now, captain!" sang out. ,'.' -.f -'
The vessels obeyed their helms promptly and
came around almost broadside to the boats.
"Steady! 500 Is st.~
applied the mach. The foremost boat, which
had brought within range of my piece, was some
distance ahead of the others. The schooner trem-
bled under the shock of the explosions. wild
Shrek was heard, and, amid the spray and foam
which the piunging shot stirred up, fragments OF
the timbers oars, and few bleeding wretches
L ~, tbaf1
left OF the boat and her crew! Never did single
shot do such havoc! 1t was the grape and cannis-
ter which destroyed the first boat; but the round
shot with which the gun was loaded, rcochet1ng,
took another Of the boats, which was in the line
OF fire on her bow, and stove her in, killing sew
eral of her crew, and spilling the rest. The
third boat paused, and seeing the destruction,
pulled for the survivors from the second boat
had not lost second in reloading my gun, and
by the time she had come up the spot, another
storm of grape and cannisters we'll aimed, spread
death and destruction among them We now
made haste to secure the pirates who had been
driven below which was speedily done. Our
skipper then turned the schooner over to my
charge allowing me two of his ST ors-the rest o
nv crew being made of volunteers from among
the passengers, most of whom from curiosity or
the love of change desired to go with me. The
vessels were cast off, and I hauled up for the
spot where the boats had been. Some ten or fif-
teen wretches most of them wounded cnging to
oars and planks, were all that remained of the pi
rates crew. We might have left these to their
fate and surely they deserved such tire atment but
humanity farbade it; and it struck me queer
sort humanity too, which save men from drown
ing to consign them to the gallows, With the
assistance of boat from the brig, however, we
picked the survivors up, and, having secured and
divided our prisoners for greater safety, we made
sail for our destination.
The skipper with his prize, forgot all about dis
posing of the small stores, and made the best of
his way into port. We found capital larder on
board the schooner, and wines which even the ma
jor pronounced unexceptionabie. In three days
we anchored in the harbor at Kingston; the pi-
rates were handed over to the authorities and the
schooner adjudged prize and sold. The skip
per was honorable enough to wish to share pro
rata with his passengers, which however, was
pretty generally declined, believe. The amount
which she brought was considerable, in addition
to some thousands of dollars found on board, SO
that he and his crew therefore Jared WE'LL
The major had the satisfaction of knowing that
the smost beautiful craft in the world' belonged
to the Royal Yatch Club, the pirate schooner hav
ing been bonght for that purpose by young no
bleman sojourning on the island"
q OEHerNWhat are you doing there, janet" '.Why,