Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-04-08
THE PIRATE.

AWtuAJ -rGNNAA JNN-'~
commanded was on a mission OF mercy
Laden by generous contributions OF
New England city, she was bound to the
Cape de Verbs with bread for the famine
stricken and dying.
II was the fourteenth day out-in the
6rst grey of the morning--that the mate
aroused me with the startling intelligence
that a suspicious vessel was in sight
With the first ray Of light the yigilant
officer had deserted her, and she was so
near as to be made out with glass. l
was on deck in ar instant.
The first glance at the stranger almost
dispelled the fear that the mates alsrm
had occasioned.
why, Mr.. Larkin,' l said laughing
as spoke, there's nothing suspicious IN
that lubberly looking craft. She is a
Portuguese brigantine. She can't sail.
'She looks ike that build the mate
answered, but look now at the men on
her deck
One glance at the telescope was enough
TO satisfy me that the mate was right.
ITS no honest craft, Mr.. La:kin' l
said; but she may not be pirate for all
shat, One need not be surprised to fall
in with SLAYER here-abOut.'
shes no SLAYER, Captain
why do you think so?
Because there are guns on her deck,
instead Of water casks
As if to put an end to our speculations,
she suspicious vessel began to spread
more canvas, and as she gathered away
with the freshening breeze, they ran up
TO her foremost flag, which when i
reached the truck, unshook its fold in the
wind. On a white field we saw the ter
rible insignia ofthe freebooter,the death:
head and crossbones, painted in diabolica
black.
We made all sail we could, but escape
was impossible. A gun from the pirate
and a ball vhistling over US, speedil!
brought Us 70. The pirate came quietl..
along. like panther, which, sure Of ii
prey, was in no great hurry 10 seize i
The moment be came within speakin
distance, he hailed and ordered me
launch a boat and come on board. W
got the quarter boat, and was about
Jump into her, to pay my respects in pc
sen TO the villains, when Mr.. Larkin asl
ed leave to 60.
If they want the captain, said he, i
them send for him. I'll see if the ma
won't answer as WELL
He descended to the boah which b
gan to pull back Almost at the san
instant, launch was swung over the "a
into which twenty savage looking rasca
armed to the teeth, sprung and pulled
wards US. Ten minutes afterwards tn
we're on board Of my vessel, and beg
clearing away the main hatch.
The leader, swsrthy fellow, who
square compact frame, and whose ey
black and hazy, and half-concealed
the lids, expressed cruelty and cunniI
approached the cabin hatch, where sto
and addressed me in very fair Englisl
Are you the captain Of this vessel
Yes Irepliej.
What's your cargor
Flour
Where fromr
Boston.
Where to-
Cape de Verde
why, they're all starving there
said, opening his eyes and looking full
me.
Yes, and the -four in my vessel :
freely given BY good Christians to f
those starving people
The rascal continued his deliberate g
moment, then turned towards his n
who BY this time had broken into
main hatch, and in rough command
tone, spoke few words in Spanish,wl
/ could net make out. The men loo
up in astonishmeBt, and then withd
to The side, where they stood gazing
tiously toward their captain, for such
my interrOgator. He walked to and
quickly for FIVE minutes then he 1
sharply, turning TO NE
You Americans are all hereties--
should you send -four to feed Cathol
Because they are our fellow-men
their Saviour, is our Saviour I ans
Cd sstonished At the conduct Of the L