The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1859-06-23
Mtstellan
T H E PR A T E.


Twenty-seven years ago, the ship /
| commanded was on a mission of mercy.
Laden by generous contributions Of a
| New England city, she was bound for
| the Cape de Verbs with bread for the
famine stricken and dying
1t was the fourteenth day out-in the
| hrst gray 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
vigil ant officer had discried 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 stranger all
most dispelled the fear that the mates
alarm had occasioned.
aA "Why, Mr.. Larkin," said I, laugh
ing as spoke, "there's nothing suspi-
cious in that lubberly looking craft
She is a Portuguese brigantine. She
can't sail"
"She looks like 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,
"It's no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin," |
said "but she may not be Il pirate for
all that. One need not be serprised to
fall in with SLAYER hereabout"
"She'S no SLAYER, Captain"
"Why do you think so 20
Because there are guns on her deck,
! instead Of water casks"
| As if to put an end to our specula.
lions, the suspicious vessel began to
spread more canvass, and as she gath
cred away with the freshening breeze,
they ran up toher formast flag, which,
when it reached the truck, unshook its
fold in the wind On a white field, we
saw the terrible insignia of the freeboot-
er, the deaths head and cross bones,
painted in diabolical black. $50
We made all sail we could, but es-
cape was impossible. A gun from the
pirate, and a ball whistling over us,
speedily brought us to. The pirate
came quietly alongside, like panther,
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 boat and come
on board. We got the quarter boat
and | was about to jump into her, to pay
my respects i'll person to the villains,
when MIR. Larkln asked leave to go.
eff they want the captain" said he,
''Iet them send for him. I'll see if the
mate wont answer as wei"
Ho HaSponIaI 70 tho ho,+ l.
gan to pull back. Almost the same in,
slant a launch was swung over the raj /,
into which twenty savage looking ras-
Gals, armed to the teeth sprung and pul
led after us. Ten minutes afterwards
they were on board my vessel, and be-
gan clearing away the main hatch.
! The leader, a swarthy fellow whose
square, compact frame, and whose eyes
black and hazy, half concealed by the
lids, expressed cruelty and cunning, APP
preaching the cabin hatch, where |
stood and addressed me in very fair
English.
care you the captain of this vessel ?''
eyes," l replied.
What's your cargo?"
"Flour"
"Where from 90
"Boston."
"Where to ?"
''Cape de Verde"
"Why, they're all starving there"
said he, opening his eyes and locking
full at me
Yes and the flour in my vessel was
freely given them by good Christians
to feed those starving people"
The rascal continued his deliberate
gaze a moment, then turned toward his
men, VINO by this time had broken in
the man hatch, and in rough COM
handing tone, spoke a few words in
Spanish, which | could not make out
The men looked up in establishment,
and then withdrew to the side, where
they stood gazing cautiously toward
their captain, for such was my interro-
gator. He walked to and fro for five
minutes then he said, sharply, turning
to me;
"You Americans are all heretics-
why should you send -four to feed Cath
olic s?''
Because they are our fellow-men
and their SAVIOUR is our SAVIOUR :" l an
swered, astonished at his conduct
eff you lie to me-" he cried with a
ferceness that startled me-sif you lie
to me I'll nail you to the deck. Is this
cargo free gift of your countrymen to
the starving ?"
"Pll prove it to you by my papers,"
answered.
81 don't want to see your papers,
swear it by the SAVIOUR whose name you
have just pronounced"
81 swear it by the Holy Trinity" /
replied, solemnly.
4 The pirate lifted his cap and bent his
head devoutly, when l mentioned the
Trinity. He stood still, with his head
bent over, while one might have mod.
erately counted fifty. When he raised
himself up, it seemed to me there was
less ferocity in his countenance. His
eyes were no longerhalf closed, but OPP
f en-, and clearer in their depths. look
ed steadily at him.
"Captain," said he, "can you supply
me with two or three casks of water?'
r | gave the order, and the water was
lowered into the boat. A word from
: him sent his cutthroats over the side
but he fingered behind, and after g
! moments hesitation, approached me
with his hand extended.
Good bless you," he exclaimed, as ne
felt my grasp, land send you where the
starving are praying for bread"
r The next moment he was gone.
) LoBsTERs.-About2 900 Holsters are sen
!, to the Boston (Mass) market, by persons resi-
> ding at Gloucester, who employ fishermen along
the coast of Maine in the trade, during March
April Nav and June Thoy are taken to Boston