Litchfield enquirer., 1856-02-07
Every Dsseripsiss sf
 70 DsY R I " y ! " e, RuayIy sro pRoppryv vxrcuryo ar rufs yv,c
THE PIRATE.
\ SKETCH " THE CAPT AIN.

The following fact will show (among many oihers) that death and robbery are averisd more by benevolence than by rs. distance:
 Eighteen years ago. the ship com- mandsd was dancing over the waves. on . mission of mercy Laden by gea+rous contributions of New England city. she was h"und to the Cape de Verde W i,h bsrad for the famine-stricken and the dy- ing. Brighter skies never giadd-ned the sailors heart. than those which w-se ben, over us; pleasaatrr gales never filled lhs sails of ths sea.journryer than those which sp~d us to the haven where we should he {; e snd now may God have the holy ship in his keepi"g." the prayer which concluded the old English bill of landing. was heard and granted, wr telt. who stood on the deck of the stout craf, whose errand it was to succor the destitute.
 We were all ia high spirits, forward in the fosrcas,le. and att in the cabin. Sai. Tors, who are often so hungry. liable at any moment to he put on short allowances, and compelled at times to fast entirely, know better than ihe Iandsman how to pity those whom famine threatens. Jack has ready sympathy for the man who has no biscuit, in hts locker.
 lt was now the fourteenth day out-jusi tn the first grey Of the nsrning, ,hat the ssiaie aroused me wHh the startling in,rlii. grncs that s suspicious vessel was in sight. With the first ray of light. the wig. liant officer had drsrried her, and she was near as 10 he made "ai with a glass. l went on deck in an in>:ant.
 The first glance at the stranger almos, dispsil.d ,hs fear that the mates alarm had occasion~d.
 Why. Mr. Larkin;" I said, laughing asi spoke " there's "o.hiny suspicious tn that iahhesry looking craft. She is Por. -suguese hriyantine--sl,r can't sail"
 She looks like that huild." the mate answes~d, |" but she Is huiit for saiiiny. and she'll spread canvass in wind like this, that'li send her a skimmicg like . gull over the sea. And look now a, the men oW deck."
 One glance at the telescope was enough to satisfy ms the ma,e was right. The vessel was sharp built, light draugit, and riggsd like htiysntine. Hsf ,nasis rakrd very slightly; besides the canvass usual Co such rig. she was f,,rd to c.rry a lug. grr.ssil. which when spread b-fnre the wind would add to her speed. In addition she was pierced for twen,y.two sweeps.- Her decks wesc crnw,i.si with men.
 'slts no honest craft, Mr. Lafkin." l saisi, "hat she may not be pirate for all that. One need no, be surprised to tall in with shaver h~ssabout."
 e She's 10 shaver, Captain"
 Why do y"a think SO ["
 @" becaass there are guns on deck. in. stead of water casks '"
 .l did no. gay she had a cargo of slaves in," l rspii~d.
 "Then why does she carry so man, gans on derk lfwi,hout N cargo, hrI guns should be- helow ; if with one. ,hrrs should he morn guns on deck. li thu, sint . pirate. 1 n~ver swan in the kene bee tives, and salmohs ain't good eating
 As ito put an end 10 the speculation, and clear up the mystery. ths saspicioa, weasel begaa t0 spread mors canvass, ,and .. she gathered away with the treshenia, eseess they ran ID to her fowmast a flag which when i'sreachrd: :,hs truck ,a.sho. k Il, folds in the wind. On white told WI saw the terrible insignia of the fteeboo,er, tn, d~ash's head aud crossbonss, painted |, diabolical black.
 al thought so." said Mir. Larkin, quie, "and the ship has no guns."
 "Whst arms have you, Mr. Larkin r . asked.
 .Aa old hosse-pistol. and the lock ou of orher.@
 And have only an old bowling piec and pair af pistols. ] fear these fellow will make their own terms with us
 Yes, cut ous thfosss and administer a eaf e6scta aiierwsrds." replied the mass walking forward.
 We msds all tha sail VIC could, hut k teen minutes saiis6ed me that escape VII impossible. Tha rrpot of gun from th piFate. snd ball whissling over us. speed ly bsonebt ss tn. The pirate came qaicl D alanG. iiks panther. which surs of il psey. was h H~ great hurry to si~1s it, Inc moment hA cana wishin spsaking dis ssace. hs halted end ordered me to launc Aoat snd cone cn board.
 We gos oat tho qaarses.boat. and [ VI sbsst to jsmp into bss. te pay ny respeei in persen te tho villains when Mr. Larki ssked leave so %.
 H they want the Csptain," ssid h, lst sAem oand for him. I'll see if ii msss vent snewer as well. \
 Hs ha1 searesly put his foot on ths dec ~hss hs sgain appeared upon the rail, sn