Litchfield enquirer., 1855-02-22
NisceIiapy.
THE PIRATE.


 Some forty or fifty years ago there lay at anchor in lonely, unfrequented bay or in- le, on the west coast of Africa, a vessel, of small size, and of British build. She was q trader. and her purpose in visiting the Afri- can coast was to open up traffic with the natives, for whatever produce could be ob- tained in tke way of barter for a various and extensive assortment of European goods with which she was provided.
 The litlle vessel had been at anchor in the hay alluded to for three days, and the deep darkness of an African night had gathered around her for the third time since she had entered it. Two seamen kept watch on deck. At least, two were on the deck for that pur- pose but one of them, overpowered by the oppressive heat and closeness of the atmos- phere, had fallen asleep on coil of cable that lay in the fore part of the vessel, near the windlass. The other man was leaning listlessly over the stern, hummng song, and gazing on the brilliant phosphoresceni streams of light, that were ever and anon shooting through the dark abyss of waters beneath. All at once the mans ear caught the dull, cautious sound of a mutiled oar. He sprang up in alarm from his recumbent position; for neither he, nor any one in the vessel was aware Of any ship being near them from which boat could have come.
 Again, he listened, and, after an interval, again he heard the flat steaIthy sound of the mufiled oar, which now appeared to be close at hand.
 His alarm increasing. the man after strain- ing his eyes for second or two, in vain endeavor to penetrate the profound darkness around and obtain a glimpse of the object of his suspicion, if not his fears, rushed to the companion. and called down 10 the captain to come quickly on deck, as there was a strange boat approaching. Ere the sentence was out of his mouth however, the boat he alluded to was alongside. and in thr next instant twelve or sixteen armed men. each carrying naked cu,lass in his hand. had shrown themselves on the deck, and rushing aft with tesA shouts aud yells, attacked and instantly despatched ~.e.h the unfortunate seamen who had first given the alarm, and the captain of the vessel, who, in his shir, aud ,rowscrs, had jus, gained the deck as his murderers reached the companion. This done, the rufiians. leaving strong party to keep watch on deck, hurried down below. and put every one whom they found there 10 death. They then assembled in the cab in, and having forced some lockers, took from th.nce a number of bottles containing vari. ous kinds fiiquor and began regaiing ,hen,- selves with their contents, which -e.'say consisted of wina. -.., spirits, which they qaafrrd largely, and with many ribald jest and boisterous laugh.
 We may here pause & moment to describe the rutfian crew. who now crowded the cabin of the little trader They were all reckless and desperate looking men; bare-throated, largo whiskerrd, and deeply Drowned hy the burning sun of the tropics. They were all armed to the teeth: each having brace of pistols and large knife or dagger stuck in his belt, besides sheathing cutlass which, when no, in action, he carried tucked under his arm, the bareblsde projecting far behind while the hilt just appeared in front.
 Amongst the ru.fians was one of some what miider aspect and more refined man. ners than the rest. He was young man, extremely handsome i'd person, and of very pfeposscssing countcnance.
 As is oiien the case, however, this per. sons character sadly belied his looks. For notwithstanding these external signs, or pro- mises of better nature, he was in no res pee, less wicked, in no degree less inhuman thin the most ferocious of those by whom he was surrounded. Indeed, by none of them had his deeds of blood on this dread ful night been equalled. rwo-thirds of all those killed tn the vessel, including her un. fortunate master, having perished by his in dividnal hand. This young man was the captain, ar leader of this band of murd erers, who Il need ss~rcely be added, were also pirates, and of the worst aud most desper- ute character.
 Having refreshed themselve.. inc rut1ians proceeded to rifle the cabin of the Nule ira. der. in which they found good deal of .as- ney and valuablss of various kinds. Thus employing themselves. the night wore away, and when morning dawned its light revealed low, black. mischievous looking schooner, with masis raking knowingly abaft, round- ing the bluif point in which the land cn the southern side terminated. ltwas the pirate vessel to which the boat belonged that had boarded and captured tho little trader.
 Aware of the success of her boats crew, chs was now coming up to take on board the plandes the latter had secured.
 In less than half an hour, she was along sids the ill.fated vessel, when he pirates so@neacsd removing the cargo from their
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