Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-08-23
The Pirate.

I
erous contributions of a New England city,
she was bound to the Cape de Verde with
bread for the famine stricken and diving
| Brighter skies never gladdened the sailors
heart than those which bent over Us plea
santer gales never filled the sails of the
sea-iourneyer than those which sped US
to tie haven where we should be and
now may God have the ship in his holy
keeping" the prayer which concluded
the old English bill of lading, was heard
and granted, we felt as we trod on the
deck of the stout craft, whose errand was
to succor the destitute
We were all in high spirits, forward in
the forcastle and aft In the cabin. Sailors
who are often so hungry. liable at any
moment 10 be put on short allowance, and
compelled al times to fast entirely, know
better than the landsman how TO pity those
whom famine threatens. Jack has ready
sympathy for he man who has no biscuit
in his locker.
was now the fourteenth day out-iust
IN the first grey of the morning. that the
mate aroused me with the startling intel
llgence that a~ suspicious vessel was in
sight. With the first ray of light, the
vigllant officer had describe her, and she
was so near as to be made out with a
glass. | was on deck in an instant.
The first glance at the strange ship al
most dispelled the fear that the mates
alarm had occasioned.
Why, Mr.. Larkin. said, laughing,
as spoke 's there's nothing suspicious
in that Iubberly- looking craft. She is
Portuguese brigantine-she can't sail"
" She looks like the build" SAID the
mate, . but she is built for sailing. and
she'll spread canvass, IN Wild like this.
that'll 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 be was night.
The vessel was sharp built, Of light
draught. and rugged like briganline.-
Her maSts raked very slightly; besides
the canvass usual to such rig she was fl
ted to carry a lugger sail, which, when
spread before the wind, would add 10 her
speed. Ia addition, She was pierced for
twenty-five sweeps. Her decks were
crowded with men.
" It's no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin,' |
said = bat she may uot tie a pirate for
ali thai. One need no; be SURPRISED 10
fall in with SLAYER hereahouts."
She's no sIaver, Capt5in."
"Why do you think 50 "
Because there are guns on her deck
instead Of Vater casks"
." / did not say she had d cargo of slaves
in" | rePAed.
Then why does she carry SO many
guns on deck If without a cargo her
guns should be below if with one, there
should be more guns on deck. Is that
amt piTale~ never believe me again"
AS If TO put an end to cur speculatlons
the craft began to spread more canvas, and
as she gathered away with the treshening
breeze, they ran up TO her foremast a flag,
which, when'it reached the truck ,unshook
lis folds IN the wind. On a white ground
we saw the terrible insignia OF the free
tooter, The Deaths head and cross bones
painted in dJatohcal black. = / thought
So, SAID Mr.. Larbin, quIelly-'' and the
ship has no guns"
What arms have you, Mr.. Larkin g
asked.
An old horse-pis:ol, and the lock out
Of order"
And have an old towing piece and
a pair of pistols. / fear these fellows
Will make their own terms with US.
Yes; cut our throats aud administer
to our effects afterwards" replied the
man walking forward.
We made all sail we could, but fifteen
minutes satisfied me that escape was i'm
possible. The report of a gun from the
pirate, and a shot whis;ling over Us, speedily
brought US to. The pirate came quietly
along like panther, which sure OF lis prey,
was IN no hurry 10 seize ii. The moment he
came within speaking distance he hailed,
and ordered me tC launch boat and come
on board ,and was about 10 Jump into her.
to pay my res ects III person 10 The VII
lains, when Mr.. LarkIn asked leave 10
go.
"If they want the captain" said he
" let them send for hlm. Ill see II the
mate won't answer as we'll"
He had scarcely put his foot on the deck
of the pirate, when be again appeared on
the rail. and decended to the boat and be-
gan to pull back. Almost The same IN
slant a launch was swung over the rail,
into which twenty savage-looking rascals,
armed to the teeth sprang and pulled 10
wards US. Ten minutes afterwards they
were on board my vessel. and began
clearing away the main hatch.
The leader, a swar.hy fellow, whose
square, compact frame indicated strength,
and whose eyes, black and hazy, and half
concealed by the lids. expressed cruelty
and cunning. approached The cabin-hatch,
where | s;ood, and addressed me IN toer-
able English.
Are YOU the captain Of this vessel?
Yes" | replied.
What's your cargo
Flour"
Where from
Boston"
Where 10
Cape de Verbs"
Why thsy're all starving there, he
said, opening his eyes and looking full at