The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-10-18
THE PIRATE.

sion OF mercy. LaCen by generous c0ntri-
buttons of New England city she was
bound up to the Cape de Verbs with bread
for the famine stricken and dying. Brighter
skies never gladdened the sailors heart
than those which were bent over US pleas
anter gales never filled sails Of the sea
journeyer than those which sped up to ha-
ven where we should be; land now may
God have the ship Ia his holy keeping"
the prayer which concluded the old Eng
li-h bill of lading, was heard and granted,
We felt as We trod on the deck of the stout
craft, whose errand was to succour the des-
titutc.
We were all in high spirits, forward in
the forecastlc and aft in the cabin. Sailors
who are often so hungry. liable at any mo-
ment TO be put on short allowance. and
compelled at times to fast entirely, know
better than the landsmen to pity those
whom famine threatens. Jack has really
sympathy for the man who has no biscuit
in his locker
Ii was now the fourteenth dav ont-just
In the first grey OF the morning that the
mate aroused me with the startling intelli-
gence that suspicious vessel was IN sight
With the first ray of light, the vigilant Of.
fcer had deserted her, and she was 40 near
as to be made out with a glass was on
deck In an instant
The first glance at the strange ship al
most dispeled the fear that the mates's
alarm had occasioned
"Why, Mr.. Larkin," | said, laughing,
as | spoke, there's nothing supicious in
that lnbterly looking craft She is Por-
tugese brigantne--she cant sail
"She looks like the build, said the mate,
A." but she is built for sailing and she'll
spread canvass in wind like this tbatll
send her skimming like gull over the
sea. And look now at the men on her
deck"
One glance through the telescope was
enough to satisfy me that he was right
The vessel was sharp built, of light
draught, and rugged like brigantine. Her
masts raked very slightly; besides the can
vass usual to such rig she was titte to
carry luggcr sail, which, when spread be-
fore the wind, would add to her speed In
addition, she was pierced for twenty-five
sweeps. Her decks were crowded with
men.
ats no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin,' |
said, but she may not be pirate for all
that. One need not be surprised to fall in
with SLAYER hereabouts'
She's no SLAYER, Captain"
"Why do you think SO -
Because there are guns on her deck
instead of water casks"
Il did not say she had a cargo of slaves
in" l replied.
Then why does she carry so many guns
on deck If without cargo, her guns
should hn hollow; if with vuc, there should
be more guns on deck. If that amt pl-
rate never believe me again"
As if to put an end to our speculations
and clear up the mystery, the suspicious
craft began to spread more canvas, and as
she gathered away with the freshning
breeze, they ran up to her foremast flag
which, when it reached the truck, unshook
its folds in the wind On white ground
we saw the terrible insignia of the free
boOter, the deaths head and cross bones
painted in diabOlical black "I thought
So" said Mr.. Larkin. quietly" and the
ship has no guns"
what arms have you. Mr. Larkin ~
asked
:" An old horse pistol, and the lock ont
of order
And | have only an old fowling piece
and pair of pistols. | fear these fellows
will make their own terms with us"
Yes; cut our throats and administer Ia
our effects afterwards replied the mate
walking forward
We made all the sail we could. but tif.
teen minutes satisfied me that escape wa,
impossible. The report of a gun from the
pirate, and shot whis.lng over us brought
us to. The pirate came along like a pan.
ther which sure Of its prey. was in no
great hurry to seize it The moment he
came within speaking distance. he hailed
and ordered me TO launch a boat and com,
, on board. We got out the quarter boat
and l was about to jump into her, to pa,
my respects In person to the Williams, whel
Mr.. Larkin asked leave to 90.
IF they want the captain, said he, " lei
them send for him. I'll see If the mate
won't answer as WELL
He had scarcely put his foot on the dcci
Of the pirate, when he again appeared OF
the rail, and descended to the boat. whicl
began to pull back. Almost the same in
slant LAUNCH was swung over the rail, III
to which twenty sayage-looking rascals
armed TO the teeth, sprang and pulled to
ward us Ten minutes afterwards they
were on board my vessel and began clear
ing away the main hatch.
The leader, a swarthy fellow. who's
square. compact frame indicated strength
and whose eyes, black and hazy. ard halt
concealed by the lids. expressed cruelt,
and canning, approached the cabin-hatcb
where | stood, and addressed me in tolera
bic English.
Are You the captain of this vessel p
Yes" replied.
What's your cargo ,"
Flour"
Where from ?"
Boston
Where to -
cape dc Verbs"
..Whv thev'ro oil Starvinp ticro " l.