Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-01-10

! s-sS SHSf'S'S~S 'SSS~A oS6e'. ~ Sf'S>'- 80
canvass, and as she gathered away under the
freshening breeze, they ran up to her fore
most flag which, when il reached the
truck, unshook its folds in the wind. On
the white field we saw the terrible insignia
of the freebooter, the deaths head and
cross bones, painted in diaboIical black.
We made all the sail we could. but es-
cape was impossible. A gun from the pi-
rate, and ball whistled over US speedily
brought us to. The pirate came quickly
along, like panther, which sure Of bis prey
was in no great hurry to seize it. The
moment be came within speaking distance,
he hailed, and ordered me to launch q boat
and come on board. Wegot out the quar-
ter boat, and was about to jump into her
to pay my respects in person to the Williams,
when Mr.. Larkin asked leave to 60.
''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 10 the boat, which began
to pull back. Almost at the same instant
a launch was hung over the rail, into which
twenty savage looking rascals, armed to
the teeth, sprung, and pulled towards US.
Ten minutes afterward they were on board
of my vessel and began clearing away the
main hatch. ..a
The leader, swarthy fellow, whose
square, compact frame, and whose eyes
black and bazy, and half concealed by the
lids, expressed cruelty and cunning, ap-
proached-the cabin hatch, where he stood
and addressed me in very fair English.
"Are you captain of this vessela"
"Yes," 1 replied. F
"What's your cargol"
"Flour."
"Where FRONT" t
"Boston." ... s. r.
"Where toi'
"Cape de Verde" .
sWhy. 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 good Christians to feed
these starving people"
The rascal continued bis deliberate gaze
a moment, then turned toward his men,
who had by this time broken into the main
hatch, and, in rough commanding tone,
spoke few words in Spanish, which l
could not make out. The men looked up
in astonisbment, and then withdrew to the
side, where they stood gazing cautiously
toward their captain, for such was my in
terrogator. He thrust his hand behind
him; and walked to and fro quickly for five
minutes; then be said, sharply turning to
me:
"You Americans are all heretics? Why
should you send flour 10 feed Roman Cath
olics 2"
"Because they are our fellow men, and
their Savior is our Savior" l answered, as
tonished at the conduct of the man.
"If you lie me" he cried with fierce
ness that startled me, if you lie to me, Ill
nail you to your deck! Is this cargo the
gift of your countrymen to the starving?"
"I'll prove it to you by my papers" l
answered. -.
II don't want TO see your papers
Swear by the Savior, whose name you
have just pronounced" As he spoke he
crossed himself devotedly. H
81 swear by the Holy Trinity" replied
solemnlv. .#
The pirate lifted his cap and bent his.
head devoutly when l mentioned the Trim
ity. He stood still, while one moderately
counted fifty. When he raised himself up,
it seemed to me there was less ferocity in
his countenance. His eyes were no longer
half closed, but open and clear in their
depths. 1 looked steadily at him.
"Captain," said he courteously, can you
supply me with Two or three casks of wa
teri" .-'.g -.s e.. E
gave the order, and the water was
lowered into the boat. A word from him
sent bis cut throats over the side; but he
fingered behind, and after a moments hes
itation, approached me with his hand ex-
tended. -i .,.-a .. F.,
"God bless you!" be exclaimed, as he
felt my grasp, "and send you where the
starving are praying for breadp' %.
The next moment he was gone.