Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-03-12
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 desperate fight with knives en-
sued, 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 profusely. l was in
stantly called to administer to the wounded
man; and it was in vain for me to declare
that knew nothing of the healing art The
captain swore at me and said he knew to the
contrary; for the master of the Zepher had
informed him that / had cured and saved the
life of the saii-maker. who had fallen down
the hold and, therefore, if did not cure
him he would serve me in the same manner.
I saw it would be useless to make any reply,
and therefore, having procured bandages, l
staunched the blood and dressed his wounds
in the best manner I was able. 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 quarrel. He told the pirate
that his antagonist was one of the party
formed by the chief mate to assassinate him
and the whole crew, and take possession of
the ship and plunder That officer, he in
formed him had gone to Havana for the pur-
pose of bringing some men, and that they
were to put the plan into effect when him
self and the crew were either asleep or ine-
briated. I saw that his rural temper was
excited by this information his eyes flashed
fire, and his whole countenance was distort-
ed. He vowed destruction against the whole
party, and rushing upon the deck assembled
the crew, aud impaired what he had heard.
The air rang with the most dreadful impre-
cations; thoy all simultaneously rushed below,
and dragged the helpless wounded wretch
upon the deck, aud, regardless of everything
proceeded to cut off his legs and arms with
blunt hatchet, then mangling the body
with their knives, threw the yet warm corpse
overheard. Not coutentcd with having des-
troyed their victim, they next sated their
vengeance on his clothes, and everything be-
longing to him, which they cut into pieces
and threw them into the sea.
While off Cape Buenavista, boat full Of
men, of the chief mates party, appeared
coming towards the schooner, when the cap
tain ordered his men to FIRE, and five men
were killed another jumped overheard, but
was taken and most barbarously treated
Wounded and bleeding as he was exposed
naked to the scorching heat of July sun
of tropical climate, in order to make him
confess.
The man persisted in his plea of innocence,
declared that he had nothing to confess, and
entreated them all to spare his life. They
paid no attention to his assertions, but, by
order of the captain, the man was put into
the boat, pinioned, and lashed in the stern,
and FIVE of the crew were directed to arm
themselves with pistols and muskets, and to
90 in her. The captain then ordered me to
60 with them, savagcly remarking that L
should now see how he punished such rascals,
and giving directions to the boats crew to
row for three hours, backwards and forwards,
through narrow creek formed by desert
island and the island of Cuba. Il will see,'
cried he, exultingly whether the mosquitoes
and sand-Aies will not make him confess
Prior to our leaving the schooner, the ther-
momcter was above ninety degrees in the
shade, and the poor wretch was now exposed
naked to the full heat of the SUM- In this
state we took him to the channel, one side of
which was bordcred by swamps full of man
grove trees, and swarming with the venom
Gus insects before mentioned.
We had scarcely been half an hour in this
place when the miserable victim was dis
tracted with pain; his body began to swell,
and he appeared one complete blister from
head to foot. Often, in the agony of his
tornncnts, did he implore them to end his ex-
istence, and release him from his misery
But the inhuman wretches only mocked and
laughed at him. In very short time, from
the effects of solar heat and the sting Of
mosquitoes and sand-fies, his face had be-
come so swollen that not feature was dis
tiuguishable ; his voice began to fail, and
his articulation was no longer distinct. I
had long suspected that the whole story Of
the conspiracy was wicked and artful fab
rication, and the constaucy. with which this
unfortunate being underwent these tortures
served to confirm my suspicious. resolved,
therefore, to hazard my interference; and,
after much entreaty and persuasion, prevail
ed upon them to endeavor to mitigate his suf-
ferings, and to let the poor wretch die in
peace, as the injuries which he had already
sustained were sufficient of themselves to
occasion death. At first they hesitated ; but
after consulting some time among themselves,
they consented to go to the other side of the
island, where they would be secure from OBJ
servation, and unite him and put something
over him. When we hadreached that place
we lay upon our oars, and set him loose; but
.Lo n,omont: ba falt the fresh hreeze he