The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-07-03
FRIGHTENING A PIRATE.
A SEA SKETCH.
BY syLyAsus eoBB. IN.

captain Ira Barnard used 10 sail from Port.
land in brig called the Ellen Maria
He had her built for his own use, and she
was a neat pretty craft, after the Baltimore
fashion, with heavy fore>topsail and top.gai-
lant-sail, and goodly BIZ Of canvass for .
topsail upon the main. She was painted uI
to suit his own taste; and, take her nil in all
she was one OF the handsomest vessels that
sailed. The crew consisted of the captains
oldest son Ira. jr.--who was one and twenty,
aud acted as mate, and sir o,hers--all able
men, and it Tor hard duty.
Early in the spring. the Ellen Maria sail.
ed for Havana with load Of shocks and
hoop-poles. She had some other articles Tor
traffic, but these composed the bulk Of her
cargo.
"Ira." said the skipper. addressing his
expect TO meet old Sanders along here some
where"
"l was thinking Of that" replied Ira.
HELL have papers for u" added the old
man, as he turned towards the wheel.
"0ld" Sanders, who was not a Bit older
than Ira Barnard, senior, commanded the brig
Seguin, and was to have left Havana At about
the same time on which the Ellen Maria lef,
Portland. and thus Barnard hoped TO fall in
with him. Nor was he disappointed for
early one morning. when OF the coast Of Car.
olina, sail was discovered to the southwa
and 10 an hour afterwards il was made out 10
be the Seguin. When he two brigs were
near enough, they both hoye.to. and Capt
Barnard and his son lowered their boat, and
went on board the other vessel. Papers
were exchanged; Barnard told ell the news
from home, and Sanders told Of all he had
seen in Cuba.
"But," said the latter, with serious look
I" there's one thing hayn' I told you. There,
a pirate cruising about between here and
Havana. She's dangerous customer to fall
in with"
"a pirate" cried Ira, 10 alarm. do
they kill everybody they take =
They have butchered the crews Of some
small vessels"
"But have you seen this erillsr r. asked
Capt. Barnard.
"No. thank God. haven't" vas the re.
Spouse. :. Bot when FIRST saw you began
70 trelable. Your brig has about % saucy q
look as any craft that aoas. Them painted
ports and your rakish masts kind o. put an
impudent air on ye."
The Ellen Maria Is q beauty, said Bar.
nard, enthusiastically. 81 named her after
my wife. and she's beauty. Zoo. Boz, be
sdded. more seriously. how did you learn a.
bout this eussed pirate Z"
1--WE heard Of her first in Havana. She
chased 4 French barque almost under the very
guns of the Moro. And then mel az Eng.
lish brig yesterday, that had picked up four
men who had been compelled 20 walk the
plank" by the same villains. These men
were part Of the crew Of a Spanish trader.
The pirate captured heir vessel, and after
killing six o. their men, made these four walk
overheard"
"Thunder !" exclaimed Ira.
81 say thunder !" echoed his father. "Itll
be thunder u We fall in with that chap. Bot
guess can run away from him.
"Perhaps So" returned Sanders. Your
brig Is fast one, but the pirate is fast, too.
However, you may not meet him."
Bot what does he look like 20
"a topsail schooner, long and heavy, with
new sails, aud masts nking more than yours
do"
"we'd better not say anything to the men
about this, remarked Barnard, a. he and his
son pulled back TO their vessel.
Ira thought the same; SO they kept the mat.
ter Of The pirate secret while they eopld.
During the day the wind was from the
westward, ihcpgh not very fresh, the brig
making not more than an average ~ six no,s.
Just 40 the sun was sinking below the huri.
zon, one Of the men reported sail 10 the
eastward. Capt. Barnard got bis glass, and
ere long he was able 70 make sut Ihal the
strange craft was q topsail schooner, with
new canvass. and very rakish masts.
It's the pirate, sure as late !" he wits.
pered TO bis son.
{" DO you think SOP returned Ire. trem.
bling.
81 am confident q H."
1.-The Lord help u.!"