The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-20

Gil .Rfsg t.nsfa..

IanIIE II loves. 5H1ll tell q Tiet7M To Dh1nes
pirates, giving III affecting history af tfa4tfs
! gieal event, which occurred September 2f
1865
We bad supper On deck that night, abor
jill O'Clock, aad had fgsst finished our tea all
!. were walking on deck, when our attention wa
= called 10 3 small Chinese Junk coming Direct
toward us. She was soon within speakin
distance, and it was almost calm The Jun
could sail when we couldn't make any pro
gress. The captain of the junk hailed u:
wishing to know where we were bound and
we wanted pilot. By this time we began t
mistrust his character, and as they ranged u
, alongside, Benjamin, (Capt. ,,Howes,) toll
them to keep off or we would blow them GU
of water, all tono purpose. Benjamin and tn
mate found their pistols unloaded and useless
and just as they got on deck again the pirate
were boarding US and throwing their stink
pots. Ben amn told me to 60 below, and
did as he directed. Carrie was lying dow
on deck. l called for her, and Benjamin
rushed up just in time to save her, for as h,
came below the shots were flying about his
head
The pirates, to the number Of ten should
think, now rushed into the cabin upon US, anc
demanded gold and opium.
We were terribly frightened. Benjamin
told the mate it was no use to fight, for they
would overpower us and kill all hands The
pirates said if we would not fight they would
not hurt US. Benjamin told them there was
no gold or opiGm On board, and I told them
the same, and they seemed to pay more atten-
ton to me than to him, because I was SO
frightened, | suppose.
The pirates now became very much excited,
searching every hole and corner in the cabin.
Ny trunks were turned inside out, and my
room the same, and even the bed was torn all
to pieces. They then threatened us with
death if gold and opium were found aboard
the brig. They said !: You speake lie, we
kill you all three"
My nurse went forward with the babe in
the outset. After while the pirates all left
the cabin and went forward and between
decks, to search among the cargo
We had Chinese cook and steward, and
it seems they talked with them, for after
while they came below again, quite excited,
demanding the gold, DC, sayin e You got
coolie man; coolie man say you got gold, you
got opium-we want" They repeated this
demand two Or three times. At this time six
or seven coolies and the head man, or captain
of the gang, came below. Two stood by me,
one with drawn sword in his hand, and the
other had his in his sheath The rest of the
gang seized Benjamin and tried to force him
on deck, threatening all the time to take his
life. They did not seem to want to kill him
below. They struck him twice with the fat of
their swords still he resisted and denied the
existence ofany gold in the brig. I again
told them the same thing. They now looked
first at me and then at him, then at each 9TH
en- was dreadfulIy frightened. The man
who stood by me with his sword sheathed
attempted to draw it and started toward Ben
jamin. started and laid my hand on it to
stop him, but he turned upon me very fiercely,
without speaking, and drew his sword. I now
thought it my best plan to keep quiet but I
believe my interference saved his life for the
lime being, but my God what fearful night t
We were guarded all the time by man
with drawn sword at the cabin door, so there
was no chance of escape. If | could have got {
out would have Jumped overheard rather |
han run the risk of being cut to pieces, as we t
expected to be. The pirates helped them {
elves to anything they wanted in the cabin, /
uch as what money they could find, together f
With articles Of jewelry, wines, &c.
We were now left unmoested for a couple t
f hours, should think We both sat on the /
ola, with little Carrie between US, she asleep t
art Of the time. I asked Ben amin if he c
bought we should have to go through the c
anne scene again. He answered that he could
i've me no courage to the contrary. He did c
hildren, at least, bat we made up our minds c
f,y NJ all VI to+I II
oped to be shot, as that seemed the most T
&c the pirates firing aoft, and hear them call /
lg to the men to come down, and could dis t
nguish the second mates voice. We heard '
lem at work slowing their boats, but most Of
lie pirates had now left. After while all
as still, the firing ceased, but I could see
Nv Of the pirates about the decks
At this time the man who guarded the cab {
door pointed a musket light at my head.
ropped it on the Benjamin's shoulder ex-
aiming: "They are going to shoot us after t
H." we had begun to have slight hope of !
scape The cabin door swung open now {
nd Benjamin said, cit is our fate, Lucy, and t
c must meet it, A few seconds after this !
ne of the head men came into the cabin and t
poke to us. He said they were going away
len and seemed very solemn. | sat up and
poke to him, too, begging him to spare our
YES, but he paid no attention to nae, but went
gain on deck. Immediately, thereafter, there
as a shot. 1t was SO near my head I thought !,
was hurt. Carrie was crying, but heard Il
othing from Benjamin. had almost fallen L
ut this fact recalled me. I looked at Benja-
lin and found he was dead He never 5
roaned or moved muscle. l took his pulse 81
see if any life remained, and just then one
the pirates came down. dropped on Ben
minis shoulder and let the blood flow over
e, at the same time holding down Carrie,
" [ fancied he had come to dispatch US. |
fled my head and told him to shoot me. He q
GIFTED small piece Of candle and sat it with
few inches of my head on the table l "
alieve he thought me wounded and then a
ent on deck. #
The thought now flashed across my mind i
at Carrie was alive, and for her sake on ght h
live, 50 I blew out the candle and dropped
)wn on Bcnjamin's bosom, holding Carrie
ID hushing her under nv breath all Tie while. !
saw no more Of them. Bat before l. 1viDg, one r,
the pirates threw block Of wood weighing ~,
X pounds in at the window, which struck Car T.
rs head and hjtnre Oh the side. Carries head ~