Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1859-08-27
THE PIRATE,

.:,r~,,,. THE PIRATE.
Eighteen years ago, the ship l com,
,nanded was dancing over the waves,
on a mission Of mercy. Laden by
generous contributions Of a New Eng,
land city, she was bound to the Cape
tic Verbs, with bread for the famine
stricken and dying. Brighter skies
never g)addened the sailors heart
than those which were bent over us ;
Pleasanter gales never filed the sails
OF the sea journeyer than those which
sped us to the haven where we should
be; "and now may God have the
ship in his holy Keeping" the prayer
which concluded the old English bill
ofolading, was heard and granted, we
felt, as we trod on the deck of the
stout craft, whose errand was to sue.
cor thc destitute: III. e., T.. a.. r..
1t was now the fourteenth day out,
just in the gray Of the morning, that
the mate aroused me with the start
ling intelligence that a suspicious yes
sci was in sight. With the first ray
Of light, the vigilant officer had des-
cried her, and she was now 80 near
as to be made out with a glass. |
was on deck in an instant -IvM T.
The first glance at the strange ship
almost dispelled the fear that the
mates alarm had occasioncd.
why, Mr.. Larkin,' I said, laugh
ing rs ! spoke. there's nothing suspi.
cious in that lubberly. looking craft
She is a 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 wind like
this, that'll send her STUNNING like a
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. ."'T'T
The vessel was sharp built, Of light
draft, and rugged like a brig antine. =
Her masts rakedo very slightly; be-
sides the canvas usual to sach rig,
she was fitted to carry lugger sail,
which, when spread before the wind,
would add to her speed. In addition
she was pierced for twenty-five sweeps.
Her decks were crowded with nc,,.
It's no honest craft, Mr.. Larkin,' I
said, but she may not be pirate for
oil that. One need not be surprised
to fall in with SLAYER hereabouts.'
She's no SLAYER, captain.
l'Why do you think SOP
Because she has guns on her decks
instead OF water casks.
Il did not say she had L cargo Of
slaves in ] replied.
Then why does she carry so many
guns on deck If without cargo
her guns should be below; if with one
there should be more guns on deck.
1t that amt a pirate, never believe
me again y a.. -,
AS if to put an end to our specula-
tions ard clear up the mystery, the
suspicious graft began to spread more
canvas, and as she gathered away
with the treshcning breeze, they ran
mp to her toremast flag, which, when.
it reached the truck, unshook its folds
in the wind. On u white ground we.
saw tho terrible insignia Of the free.
booter, the deaths head and cross
bones, painted in diabolical black.
Il thought So said Mr.. Larkin, quiet
": 'and the ship has no guns
What arms have you, Mr.. Larkin p
! asked. .7r....sR .N...,. .--..s
AN old horse pistol, and tile lock
out of ORDER
And l have only an old fowling-
piece and pair Of pistols. l fear
these fellows will make their own
terms with u.s.
Yes; cut our throats and admins
ter to our effects afterwards replied
the mate, walking forward.
We made all the sail we could, but
fifteen minutes satisfied me that cs
cape was impossible. The report Of a
gun from the pirate, and shot whist
ling over us, speedily brought US to.
The pirate came quietly along like al
panther which, sure Of its prey, was
in no great hurry to seize it. The
! moment he came within speaking dis
lance, he hailed, and ordered me to
launch boat and come on board
We got out the quartcr-boat, and 1!
was about to jump into her, to pay
my respects in person to the villain,
when Mr.. Larkin asked leave to go. q
If they want the captain said he,
let them send for him. I'll see if the
mate won't answer as WELL