Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-09-08
The Pirate.

The Pirate.
A correspondent Of the New York
Chronicle sends the following true in
cident 10 that paper as an illustration
of the power of the religion of the
Prince of Peace. The relation is Civ
en- by the captain:
Twenty years ago the ship |
commanded was on a mission of mer-
cy. Laden with generous contribu-
tons of New England city, she was
bound to the Cape de Verde with
bread for the famine stricken and the
dying.
1t was the fourteenth day out-in
the first grey of the morning, that the
mate aroused me with the startling in
telligence that suspicious vessel was
in sight With the first ray of light
the vigilant officer had deserted her,
and she was SO near as to be made out
with a glass l was on deck in an in
slant.
The first glance at the stranger al
most dispelled the fear that the mates S
alarm had occasioned.
Why, Mr.. Larkin.' l said, laugh
ing as spoke, there is nothing sus-
picious in that lubberly looking craft.
She is Portuguese brigantine-she
can't sail
She looks like that build, the mate
replied, but look now at the men on
her deck.
One glance at the telescope was
enough to satisfy me the mate was
right.
1T is no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin,'
| said; but she may not be pirate
for all that. One need not be surplis-
ed to fall in with a slaver hereabouts.'
she is no SLAYER, Captain
why do you think 500
Because there are guns on her deck,
instead OF water casks
a. if to put an end to our specula-
tions. the suspicious vessel began to
spread more canvass, and as she gath
cred away with the freshing breeze,
they ran mp her foremast flag, which,
when it reached the truck, unshook its
fold in the wind. On white field
we saw the terrible insignia OF the free
booter. the deaths head and cross
bones, painted in diabolical black.
We made all the sail we could, bnt
escape was impossible. A gun from
the pirate, and ball whistiing over
us, speedily brought us to, The pi-
rate came quickly along. like panth
er which is sure of its prey. and in no
great hurry to seize it, The moment
he came within speaking distance he
hailed and ordered me To launch boat
and come OH board We got out the
quarter boat, and | was about to Jump
into her to pay my respects in person,
to the VILLAINS, when MIR. Larkin asked
leave 10 go.
If they want the captain said he.
let them send for him. I'll see if the
mate won't answer as WE'LL
He descended to the boat, which be-
gan to pull back. Almost at the same
instant a launch was swung over the
rail, into which twenty savage-looking
rascals, armed to the teeth. sprung and
pulled towards us. Ten minutes after
wards they were on board of my yes
sci. and began clearing away the main
hatch.
The leader, swarthy fellow, whose
square. compact frame, and whose
eyes, black and hazy. and half con-
cealed by the lids, expressed cruelty
and cunning. approached the cabin
hatch, where | stood and addressed me
in very fair English:
Are you the captain Of this vessel?'
Yes l replied.
What's your cargo?'
Flour
Where from?'
Boston,
Where TOP
Cape de Verde
why, they're all starving there,
he said, opening his eyes and looking
full at me.
Yes, and the flour in my vessel was
freely given by the good Christians to
feed those starving people
The rascal continued his deliberate
gaze moment. turned towards his
men. who by this time had broken in
to the main hatch, and in a rough.
commanding tone. spoke few words
in Spanish, which l could not make
out. The men looked mp in astonish-
ment and then withdrew to the side,
where they sood gazing at their cap
tain, for such was my interrogator.-
He thurst his hands behind him, and
walked two and fro quickly for five
minutes-then he said sharply. turn
ing to me:
You Americans are all heretics why
should you send -four to feed Catho-
: lies"
Because they are our fellow-men,
and their Savior is our Savior an
swered. astonished at the conduct ol
the man.
III you lie to me- he cried, with q
J fierceness that startled me-'lf you
/ lie to me. I'll nail you to your deck
Is this the free gift of your country
men to the starving?'
IN prove it to you by my papers,
| answered.
Il don't want to see your papers
swear it by your Savior. whose name
you have just pronounced As he
spoke. he crossed himself devoutly.