New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-12-29
Pirates of Cuba.

The following horrible particulars Of the pirates of
Cuba were given by seaman who had been forced
into their service:
quarrel took place between two of the crew, and
4. desperate fight with knives ensued, of which the
rest were cool spectators.
The battle was for long time doubtful at length
one fell with severe stab in the left breast bleeding
profseIy. was Instantly called to administer to the
wounIlel man and it was in vain for me to declare
that Knew nothing of the healing art. The captain
swole at me aad said he knew to the contrary; for
thenaster pfthe Zephyr had informed him that had
t cured and saved the life of his samaker. who had
fallen down the hold and, therefore, if did not cure
him, be would serve me in the same manner. l saw
it would be useless to make any reply and therefore
having procured bandages, staunched the blood and
dressed his wounds in the best manner was able I
was then obliged to turn my attention to his antago-
MIST, who had not escaped unhurt.
The captain went below and inquired of the least
injured Of the wounded men the cause of their quar-
rel He told the pirate that his antagonist was one
Of the party formed by the chief mate to assassnate
him and the whole crew, and take possession Of the
ship and plumber That officer he informed him. had
gone to Havana for the purpose of bringing some
moremen, and that they were to put the plan into
eeotswhell himself and the crew were either asleep
or inebrated. saw that his brutal temper was eX-
cited by this information; his eyes flashed fire, and
his whole countenance was distorted. He vowed de-
structon against the whole party, and rushing upon
deck assembled the and impaired what he had
heaed The air rang with the most dreadful impre-
catfonAS they simultaneously rushed below, and
dragged the helpless wounded wretch upon deck, and
regardless OF everything proceeded to cut off his legs
and arms with a blunt Ratchet, then mangng the
| body with their knives, threw the yet warm corpse
overheard. N Of coptented with having DESTROYED
tier victim, they next stated their vengeance on his
clothes, and everything belonging to him, which they
cut into pieces and threw them into the sea.
While off Cape BuenaYesta, boat full of men, of
the chief mates party appeared coming towards the
schooner, when the captain ordered his men to fire,
and five were killed another jumped overheard, but
was taken and most barbaroIlsly treated. Wounded
and Bleeding he was exposed naked to the scorchng
heat OF July sun of a tropical climate, in order to
make him confess. r.
The man persisted in his plea of innocence declared
that DC had nothing to confess and entreated them all
to spare his life, They paid no attention to his asser
tons, but. by order OF the captain the man was put
into the beat, pnened ana dashed in the stern and
five Of the creWWere directed to arm themselves with
pistols and muskets; and to go in her. The captain
thepoFdered me to go with Them savagelv rcmalknn
that4 should now see how he punished such rascals
and giving directions to the boats crew to row fol
three hours, backwards and, forwards through mar.
row creek formed by desert island and the island of
Cuba. " | will see cried he eXGtnglv. " whether
the mosquitoes and the sand-fiies will not make
| him confess Prior to our leaving the schooner
| the Thermometer was above ninety degrees in
| the, shade and the, poor wretch was now ex.
posed nakedto the full heat OF the In this state
we took him to the channel one side of which was
| b0rileredbY swamps full Of mangroYe trees, and
Swarnlng with the fenotn6ts insects before men,
| tpnel9
We<had scarcely been half an hour in this place
when the miserable victim was distracted with pain
his body began to swell, and he appeared one com
pete blister from head to foot. Often, in the agony
Of his tormentss did he implo:e them to end his
existence, and release him from his misery Bat the
| nhumRn Wletches only Knocked and laughed at him.
In very short time, from the effects Of a solar heat
and the sting Of mosquitoes and sand-fies his face
had become 50 swollen that not feature was dstin-
gnishahe; his Voice began to fail, and his articua-
ton vas no longer distinct. i had long suspected
that tie Whole story Of the conspiracy was wicked
and a2tH tabrlcaton. and the constancy with which
this unfortunate being underwent these t0gtures
served to confirm my suspicious resolved. there
fore, TO hazard my interference aud, after much en-
treaty and persuasion prevailed upon them to en-
deay0r 10 mitigate lis Suterngs and to let the poor
wretch die in peace, as tile injuries which he had
already sustained We're sufficient Of themselves to &C.
caslnn death. AT first they lesaed but after con-
Sultilg time among themselves they consented
to 20 to the other Side otthe island where they
would be secure from observation and unite him and
put something over him, When welad reached that
place! we lay upon our oars and set him loose but
the moment he felt the fresh breeze he tainted away
When our TINE was expired WGagajn tied him as le-
fore, to prevent the fairy OF the captain r orr lentv
and once more pulled for the passage on our way to
the vessel. On our arrival, his appearance was the
sn,'Tcert 1nerTin1un: MI t701i1 7n me 1aiu
asked if he had made aly t646Ssi8I. An answer in
the. -neGltiTe gaze him evident diSappUiItmeut and
he inquired Of lie whether could cures him.sY told
him he was dying. " Then he shall have more of
before he dies, cried the nQn1teGsanQ directed the
boat to be snuOred within mtsket-ShOt in. the bay.
This having been done he ordered six of the crew to
fire at him. The man fell, and the boat was ordered
alongside. The poor wretch had only tainted ana
when they perceived that he hreathed pig Of iron
was fastened round bis neck, and be was thrown into
the sea. Thus ended tragedy Which t1r the mser-
les inflicted on the victim, and for The wanton und
5arbarqlls deprayty Of bis teud.ke tormcntUrs
never, perhaps, haditS-e pGal------