The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-07-11
The Priyateer and its Victims
TALE or rue PACIFIC.

Wnen inc prcscut
erica were struggling 10 throw oil tue yoA0
Of old Spain, there was but little law Ie-
.,,,;,sd in the deep solitudes OF the Pa-
c;6e o,ean escep, tina, of might, The clip
Der brig OF the dsshing schooner mounting
those deaih-dcaling engines, lew guns
prOmineul among which might invariably
be observed amid-.hips, us though conscious
of his superiority, the "lOng-tom :" mag
arins full Of powder, complete compile
ment of other ammunition and small arms
n rulhan for a commander, and desperadoe'
Of alI climes for crew, were often the ma
,s,ials composing the so-called republican
pr;,aieers. The commetee OF This per'od
be,u,eu the Eas, lrdies and South Amer
lea were almos, destroyed, and a, the close
Of the war. there were but few merchant
men carrying the Spanish ais that dared
show /, on this side Of Cape Horn.
However, at the time spoken OF, there
was one who byaved all dangers. twas
the captain Of fine Spanish blrque OF some
400 tons burihen, that was lying a, Wham-
poa, taxing in a rich cargo Of Chinese goods;
and shc had also on board eleven cases OF
bullion, amounting in all to about $50, OOO'
consigned TO merchant in Panama. Close
by her lay at anchor, watching her like a
tiger, low built, rakish, hermaPhrodi'e
vessel, suspected by all homes, seamen OF
being a reckless privateer. Her numerous
crew Of rufIi,nly looking men, the square
ness Of her yards. her long twelve pound
ers and the republican flag at her head, all
confirmed, 10 the learned in nautical aita''s
the above opinion. The SPaniard was also
well armed, had u superior crew, and was
n fast vessel; and Notwithstanding be was
forewarntd OF the priyateers intention to
attack him so soon as he len tho neutral
nor, no was then in, he pu, TO sea as soon
as his vessel had completed her Leading
Accordingly, so soon as the SPaniard work
81 down TO the BOcca Tigris, the privatcer
followed suit. and tho same afternoon tina,
The Spaniard was a, sea, running before n
strong breeze for his distant port, the piSa-
,cer got under way and followed in his
wake; and many OF the crews OF different
vessels lying in the Tisris expected in lew
days to see tho Spanish bark 'eiurning cap
tive TO her ruthless follower.
Years aft n the two vessels had lief: the
Chinese waters, and when both, with ali on
board, were supposed 10 be lost, a small ves-
sci belonging to the Eas: India Company
was running before delicious tropical
breeze in the Pacific Otean Il was about
Que bell in the middle watch; the officer Of
the deck was leaning over the quar'e' rail
gazing into the deep gloom OF the surround
log ocean, while a sroupe Of talkaiive soI-
men were on the lorecaslle spinning yarns
OF their last cruise ON shore, when ono OF
thea Using up. exclaimed: "Ho!lo! what
is ,hat" "By solIy,' answered another
ali was the R,sh Of gun hereway to wind
ward" "Flash Of gun more likely 10
be lightniug," said another That's my
opinion" chimed in the captain OF the Tore
castle, "ur 6e made by the natives OF on,
of those islands that lie hereabouts. u
.TheIe il is again" said no, as faint ligh
fickered lor moment in the gloom OF th'
iar-oG horizon.
There was now general commotion OF
bo,rJ, for even a, that dale the Pacific wa
enliyened BY the doin:s OF the p'carooninG
craft, aNer all legitimate priyateering had
ceased. In few minutes tho crew OF oui
little vessel were u, their stations, ready lt
receive a Zoe, it 6s it proved 10 be. IL
make all thinks sure, the officer OF the deck
wen, below and examined the chart, to see
il any lands were in this track; but nc
land, or even a bank was marked near the
spot, all was shown to be tho clear open
sea.
"lIeayc the deep sea lead" said the Off
Ger of tho watch when he returned to the
deck. In few minutes soundings were
found at sixty iathoms. lie then shorten
ed sail and KEEP, the lead going, US be was
certain tina, land or o shOal was near. ~
DAYLIGHT the low outline OF small island
was distinctly visible about six miles to the
eastward, and us il was not down in the
hes, chats, the captain determined to ex'
anime IL, and accordingly worked the vessel
up to an anchorage, and sent couple o.
boats on shore.
Opposite the place where they had an
chOred was an opening abOu, one hundred
fec, vile, where the sea catered into kind
OF lagoon. This beautiful basin appeared
to have been the crater Of volcano in for
mer years, and seemed more like the work
OF art than The production Of nature. IL was
perfectly round, and probably two miles ii
circumference. with depth OF wafer o.
sixty or seventy fathoms to within shor
.disianco OF its sides. Aitcr climbing NJ
to the higher parts Of the island, il was
found to consist Of undulaiing plains, with
masses OF rocks intsr,persed here and there,
aud with patches Of The sseenes, ycrdure,
covered With the fe,ihery foliage Of the