New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-04-16
SALT WATER BUBBLES,
Pirates in Hot Water.
Ely HAwsER MARr1SGALE.

1t is nearly forty years since the brig Blue Pigeon
of Hailowell in Maine, was bound from Point Pc
ter, in Guadaloupe, to New Orleans. The brig was
commanded by Captain Mangrove, worthy, IN
telligent man, who was gifted with respectable
share of Yankee shreWdness, and, moreover, was
not in the habit Of being frightened at shadows.
His wife was on board; and charming young
woman was Mrs. Mangrove, whose presence seem
ed to throw halo of brilliancy all over and around
the vessel. This woman was greatly respected and
admired by the sailors, any one Of whom Wonld
willingly have risked his limbs his life to render
her service.
Passing along through the Caribbean Sea, within
sight of the fertile island of Porto Rico, the ragged
outline of St. Domingo was soon visible. Leaving
Cane Tiburon, they soon came in sight of Jamaica,
on the left; and then again on the right they OBJ
tanned a glimpse of the high mountains on the
southern side of Cuba, the Sierra de COBRA 1t
was delightful sailing among these seas. The
breezes were gentle and balmy, and the surface of
tile ocean was unruffled. The worthy Captain
Mangrove and his fair companion, eheered by the
presence of each other, fully appreciated the
blessings with which they were favored, and during
the week or ten days, in the course of which the
brig propelled by the light trade winds, with stud
ding sails set on both sides, sailed about thou
sand miles, this happy. couple enjoyed the true
poetry of the ocean. No visions Of hurricanes,
pirates or shipWrecks, ntruded on their minds for
moment to lessen their enjoyment by the con-
temptation of troubles in the distance. AN,
The Blue Pigeon, on her direct route to the
strait which separates Cuba from Yucatan, and
leads into the Gulf of Mexico came in sight of the
Grand Cayman an inhabited island Of ineonsder-
able extent which lies to- the westward OF ia
maica and here, the wind dying away, Captain
Mangroye boarded an English schooner, bound
from Sisal to Kingston in Jamaica, and the news
which he heard caused some little connection, and
tended to disturb somewhat the tranquility arising
from faneied security from every i'll, which until
| then had reigned throughout the vessel
Captain Mangrove was informed that band of
pirates had established themselves on the coast of
Cuba near Cape San Antonio. They were despe,,
| rate men, who made war on unarmed vessels OF all
nations, to gain plumber and crafty morbid ap-
| petite for Blood They carried on their fendish
| work in large open launch or barge, propelled by
/ sails and ears and within the last two months
| had chased several vessels bound to ports in the
| Gnif of Mexico, which had with difficulty escaped
BY CARRYING sail. Others. however, were not SC
/ fortunate. There was reason to believe that the
| pirates had boarded and captured more than ONT
4 unresisting merchantmen and murdered the whole
crew. Their mode of proceeding was to pull fol
their intended victim in light winds; to fire no gun
and give no alarm; to range up under the counter
hail the vessel, and give peremptory orders t
"a eave to and surrender under penalty of instan
massacre then dash quickly alongside, spring o.
money and other articles of value, seattle her an
/ escape to the shore!
The intelligence although supposed to be greatl
exaggerated, was of a character truly alarming
especially the Blue Pigeon was not well provide
with weapons of defense.. Indeed the only engine
of destruction, properly SO called, were one signs
gun, in the shape Of q short twelve pound carroI
ade and a half dozen old and heavy muskets
There was some powder in 8 the run, but a
cannon balls, bullets, boarding pixies or cuflasses
! Capt. MangroYe, however, although he did nc
repose implicit belief in the Englishman's story
was determined not to be caught mapping, an
/ | as there was no way open for him to get to Ne'
!, Orleans without passing Cape San Antonio, b
!, made immediate preparation to defend his yesst
! with the limited means in his power from th
attack Of any blood-thirsty pirates He also, b
!, his manly bearing, infused a noble spirit anon
: his men, and they, one and ALL declared that
, case of an attack from pirates. they would raths
die brayely defending their lives, than give up I'll
shin without striking blow with the certain pro
! pect Of being ruthlessly and deliberately put
. | DEATH.
Capt Mangroye examined the condition of Il
I, armament. The big gun was secured out, Al
:, nut in good fighting order. A heavy charge
| | eunpowder was deposited in its breech, and TIL
!; Il was filed to the muzzle with paving stones
= lien of cannon balls. The muskets were fitted wi
fints and rendered seryiceable, and primed a
" loaded in manner to make them particular
effective, handful Of leaden slugs being subs
4 tuted for bullets. sazzs
/, But Captain MangroYe's efforts did not 81
Il here. He was aware that in case of an attack,
d most vigorous efforts must be made to keep of
:. assailants and disable them before they could
" q foothold on his decks. With his few men,
~ whole complement of the ships company bel
e only seven all told, and destitute OF pistols boa
e. ing pixies and cutlasses. he knew that whence
10 the pirates climbed over the sides of the br
IL further exertions would be of no other avail, tn
to sell their lives at the dearest possible rate
There was small engine on board ,ne e ~. .
III kind not unfrequently used in these dals ~ =
r tering gardens and they were oftsntie;s au. !.
ir duced into ships for this purpose OF VEINS ,
sails during light winds. The value Oh SUCH III