The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-02-25

even now. Come, Sir Valiant haul dow
your flag and surrender at discretion. s
I was not prepared for the readiness
displayed by the poltroon in acting upol
4, my remark. " hat | had uttered In ba
dinaee, he seized upon as advice.
well, sir, If you taink we had bette
yield without impesilling the lives OF tn,
crew, I am forced to follow your advice
| Haul back the main yard.
: You mistake nae " said. Do
not, beg of yoe, give up so meanly.'
But it was useless The sails fappe6
| against the mainmast, and the vessel came
to the wind. / hereupon determined te
appeal to the men. who were now group.
ed to windward. looking anxiously at the
fast approaching schooner.
There goes the black flag" cried the
man On the lookout.
Immediately sprang upon the main
hatch. and with loud voice appealed to
the men.
Will you thus allow yourselves to be
made prisoners, and not strike one blow
in defence of the flag under which you
sal? Are you willing to have your names
| desecrated and hooted by the noble stars
that float over this ocean? Come lads,
you do not mean to sAuik now. Go to
the steward and he will give you arms for
defence. If your captain will not, | will
be your leader, and we will not yield an
inch, even though death stares, in the
face. 1t is better TO die fighting than GO
live to be pirates slave" -
"Ay ay we'll fight the pirates! cried
| the crew TO man.
Willis, seeing perfectly how matters
stood, now stepped forward, and with an
eye on the advancing foe, and another on
! the men, said:
" Certainly we'll stand by you. You
as naval officer, sir, must have COM
,nand and act as you please. Meanwhile,
[ will go below and provide armes for yoa
all. -4e=e -.
He went down, and we did not see him
again until he was prisoner.
The pirate neared us fast, and deem
ing that there would be no resistance Of
fered, boat was lowered, which soon
came under our larboard quarter. The
reception they met with was somewhat
warmer than they had anticipated Be
ing upprepared for defence. every one,
the mate at their head, were secured and
boun l. The captain of the schooner,
which was now lying to, near US, saw the
proceeding, and giving appropriate Or
ders, hauled along side.
Then came the hand to- hand struggle.
Our men fought with desperation, but at
great odds in favor of the attac king party.
By some fatality, Carreba and myself
were combatants. His superior power
and skill soon disarmed me, and | stood
at his mercy. But he did not strike
He sheathed his cutlass calmly, and, call
ing to our sailors, said
Whoever of you strikes another blow
shall die. Lay down your arms and Car
eba promises upon his honor, that your
lives shall be spared. >
Captain" said the pirate chief, now
strlding towards me.
9 am not the captain, sir, | replied.
You are not Where is he?
He went below to arm himself some
time since, and has not yet appeared. "
Here, Belpodt, go below and hoist
out the srampus from his cabin. What,
did he leave you to fight his battle for
him 2"
He did,"
The chief eyed me narrowly for some
few moments returned his gaze un.
waveriugly.
What is your name, youngster ?" he
finally inquired.
l told him. Again he regarded me
fixedly.
= Are you 4 son of former captain of
the old Constitution p
! am, sir, his only son"
s. was once boatswain under his
command. He was generous, brave
and just man. [ should have been still
in the service were | not-Carreba the
pirate J.
:" am surprised to hear
What?' he Interrupted sharply
that L WAS once an honest man -
= That you know my father" / re-
piled.
Captain Willis was now brought on
deck. He was trembling with fear, and
livid from the same cause. He almos:
sank with apprehension as he confronted
his captor.
So, sir, you took good care to keep
out of the way when danger comes =
What brave man you must be to resign
your vessel to the care of TRIPPING !"
Why, sir, | have an affection of the