The Placer herald., 1857-02-21
Pirates of Cuba.

The following particulars Of the pirates of
Cuba were given by seaman who had been
forced into their service:
A 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 his
left breast, bleeding furiously. | 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 that he knew
to the contrary; for the master of the Zephyr
informed him that | had cured and saved the
life of his sail-maker, who had fallen down
the hold; and therefore if | did not cure him,
he would serve me in the same manner. |
saw it would be useless to make any reply,
and therefore, having procured bandages, |
staunched the blood and dressed the wounds
in the best manner ] was able. | was then
obived to turn my attention to his antago-
nist 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 plumber. That officer, he in
formed him, had gone to Havana for the
purpose of bringing some more men, and
that they were to put the plan into effect
when himself and the crew were either asleep
or inebriated saw that his brutal temper
was excited bv this information; his eyes
flashed fire, and his whole countenance was
distorted. He vowed destruction against the
whole party, and rushing upon deck assem-
bled the crew and impaired what he had
heard. The air rang with the most dread
ful imprecatons; they simultaneously rushed
below, and dragged the helpless wounded
wretch upon deck, and regardless of every
thing, proceeded to cut off his legs and arms
with blunt hatchet, threw the yet warm
corpse overheard. Not contented with hav-
ing destroyed their victim, they next sated
their vengeance on his clothes, and every
thing belonging to him, which they cut into
pieces and threw into the sea.
While off Cape Buenavesta, 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 were
killed; another jumped overload, but was
taken and most barbarous treated Woun-
ded and bleeding he was exposed naked to
the schorching heat of a July sun of tro-
pical 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
60 in her. The Captain then ordered me to
60 with them, savagely remarking that |
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. 81 will see, y
cried he exulting, "whether the mosquitoes
and sand-hies will not make him confess" !"
Prior to our leaving the schooner, the ther-
mometer was above ninety degrees in the
shade, and the poor wretch was now exposed
naked to the full heat Of the sun. In this
state we took him to the channel, one side
of which was bordered by swamps full of
mangrove trees, and swarming with the
yenomous 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
torments, did he innplore them to end his ex-
istence and release him from his misery, but
the inhuman wretches only Knocked and
laughed at him. In very short time, from
the effects of solar heat and the sting OF
mosquitoes and sand-hes, his face had become
SO swollen that no feature was distinguish
able; his voice began to fail, and his articula-
tions was no longer distinct | had long
suspected that the whole story of the con-
splracy was a wicked and arttul fabrication,
and the constancy with which this untortu-
nate being underwent these tortures served
to confirm my suspicious. l resolved, there
fore, to hazard my interference, and after
much entreaty and persuasion, prevailed upon
them to endeavor to mitigate bis suferings,
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 con
sulting some time among themselves, they
copsented to 60 to the other side of the island,
where they WOULD be secure from observa-
ton and unite him and put something over
him. When we had reached that place,
we lay upon our oars, and set him loose;
but the moment he felt the fresh breeze