Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-02-07


chasing his cargo of sugar and moasses
shrewdIy calculating that if he went into some
of the small, out of the way places, he should
get his cargo much cheaper than he could in
any of the larger, and more frequented har-
bors. aafr se.ae.5 alfIa
AS soon as he made the Cape Maize, the
eastern extremity of Cuba, he hauled close in
with the land, and running along down to the
westward, he kept bright bright look out for
some little obscure inlet, which would suit his
purpose.
He had passed Trinidad, and began to think
that he should be obliged 10 run round on the
north side to Havana or Matanzas, when one
afternoon as he was keeping close along the
beach, inside of The Isle OF Pines, his eye
caught the entrance of little narrow channel
that looked just as if it would suit his purpose.
The schooner's helm was put hard up, and off
she went before the wind, and in fifteen min
utes she was inside OF little harbor, that had
probably never been visited by an honest
American vessel before.
Capt. Josh Forbes was not very often as
tonished at anything-but he was taken all
aback that afternoon; for when he got abou:
quarter of mile up the narrow creek, he dis
covered moored alongside of the bank, half
mile further up, the New Grenadian schooner
which he had seen at ST.. Thomas. ln double
quick time, sail was taken in aboard the Sarah
Ford, and she was run alongside of the bank
and tied up to the trees, which grew close
down 10 the waters edge.
Josh Forbes for once in his life was in
quandary. He couldn't get out TO sea again,
for the wind was blowing square into the
creek, and he knew that before the land breeze
would sci in at night the gentlemen from the
schooner above would pay him visit; and
then good by to all hopes of marrying his lit
tie schooner's namesake-for all that he was
worth in the world, and considerably more,
was in the vessel. He had with him the
whole proceeds of the cargo which he had sold
in ST. Thomas, and which he was yet in debt
for at Bangor.
For five minutes, the Yankee captain was
lost in deep study, when all at once a bright
thought seemed to strike him, for he frightened
up, and calling his little crew OF FIVE, all told,
aft, he addressed himself particularly to the
young man who acted as mate of the schooner,
and said
Warren, do you think you can take the
Sarah Ford home TO Bangor!'
Yes, cap'n, do replied the youngster.
But what are you going 10 dol'
Me! o, I'm going home in that schooner
up there
The others looked at him in astonishment
but all inquiries were cut short by Captain
Josh, who again addressed his mate as fol-
lows: ~
Warren, you jump aft there and take the
bearings of that vessel by compass and then
take the compass out and bring it along, for
we must put for the bushes if ever we want 10
see Yankee land again. I'll tell you my plan
after we ge, into the woods
In two minutes, the Sarah Ford was desert
ed by all hands. Captain Josh took the COM
pass from Warren, aud led his little crew back
from the creek about a quarter Of mile, when
he shaped his course by compass, so as 10
keep along up, about parallel with the bank
When he judged that he was about opposite
the pirate, he took the advance and proceeded
carefully down towards the creek. In a few
minutes, they came in sight Of The pirate
schooner, and at the same moment. Josh made
another grand discovery. which was that lit
tie ahead OF where the schooner lay, there was
arm of the creek, which run off about west,
and opening out into the bay by different
channel from the one he had entered. He saw
at glance that, as the wind was, a vessel
could run out by this channel with free sheet
About the time that Forbes and his crew came
in sight of the schooner, the pirates had mus
tered all hands, and just started off down the
bank of the creek, to overhaulthe Sarah Ford.
As soon as they were out of sight in the
bushes, Forbes whispered to his men
'Now's our chance-out knives and cut her
fasts. Then jump aboard and shove off, and
then put sail on her.
The Captains orders were promptly obeyed
and in less than ten minutes, the New Grena-
dian armed schooner, Branday-the favorite
cruiser of Mitchell, the pirate-was under all
sail and passing rapidly down the western
channel.
At the moment that the pirates reached the
Yankee schooner, they saw their own vessel
under way, and going to sea. Instantly com.
pretending the Yankee trick, and boiling with
rage, they Immediately got the Sarah Ford
under way, and followed her.
In half an hour, both vessels were outside
Forbes, with his new command, was running
away to the westward, about point free, and
keeping the luff of his sails lighting, SO tha,
she shouldn't GO too fast through the water.
The pirates were standing right on his wake
crowding on all sail to overhaul him.
After leading them off about ten miles, Cap
tain Forbes suddenly tackled ship and stood
back on the other tack towards the pirates
and passing them to windward, just out of pis
tol shot, he hailed them: a...asa III
Now, gentlemen, you will please to keeE
nm as vo, a 70 ooioo Tf x,nr attarnnt 70 no,