The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-02-26

But II was useless. The sails tapped
against the maiumaHt and the vessel came
10 the wind. I hereupon determined 70
appeal TO the men, who were now grouped
10 windward, looking anxiously at the fast
approaching schooner.
There goes the black flag. cried III
man on the lockout,
1 Immediately sprang upon the main
hatch, and with n loud voice appealed to
the men.
win you thus allow yourselves to be
made prisoners, and not strike n blow in
defence of the flag under which You sailP
Are you willing to have your names des-
,ecrated and hooted by the noble stars that
float over this ocean, Come lads. you do
not mean to skulk now. Go to the steward
and he will give you arms for defence II
your captain will not i will be your lead
err, and we will not yield an Inch, even
though death stares us In the face. II IL
better to die lighting than to live to DO q
pirate's slave"
iAyl All we'll fight the piratesl' cried
the crew, 20 n 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 wen stand by you. You 10
O naval officer, sir, must have command
and act as YOU please. Meanwhile, / will
60 below and provide arms for you oil.
He went down, and we did not see him
again until no was q prisoner.
The pirate noared us fast, and deeming
that there would be no resistance offered,
a boat was lowered, which soon camo un.
der our larboard quarter. The reception
they met. with was somewhat warmer than
they had anticipated Being u~nprepared
for o defence, every one. the mate ut their
head, were secured and bound. The cap
tain Of the sch ooner, which was now ly.
ing to, near us, SOW the proceeding, and
giving appropriate orders, h nuled along
side.
Then came the h~snd-to-hand struggle.
Our men fought with desperation, bat Of
great odds in favor Of tho attacking party.
BY some fatality, Carreba and mysolf were
combatants. His superior power and skill
soon disarmed me, and / stood ut his mer.
oy. But no did not strike. He shcathed
his cutlass calmly, and, calling to our sail
ora, said:
dwhoevor Of you strikes another blow
shall die. Lay down your arms and Cor
reba promises, upon his honor, that your
lives shall DO spared"
Captain" said the pirate chief. now
striding towards me-.
II nm not the captain, sir" l replied.
you are notl Where is hep
He went below TO arm himself some
time since. and has not yet appeared.
Here, Belpont 60 below and hoist out
the grampus from his cabin. What, did he
leave you to fight his battle for him2'
"He did"
The chief eyed me narrowly for some fow
moments-I heturnsd his gaze unwaver-
inely.
What is your name, younsSter3' he FIN
ally inquired.
told him. Again he regarded me fix.
edly.
"Are you a son of o former captain ofthe
old Constitution"
81 am, sir, his only son.
II was once q boatswain under his com
mAnd. Ho was O generous, bravo and Just
man. I should have been still in the SER
vice wero I not-Csrreba, the piratei'
Il am surprised to hear
"WhatS' he interrupted sharply that
was once an honest mani"
That you know my father, - / replied.
Captain Willis was now brought on deck.
He was trembling with fear, and hvid from
the same cause. He almost sank with ap-
prehension as he confronted his captor.
$50, sir, you take good care to keep out
Of the way when danger comesl What q
brave man you must DO to resign your ves-
sci to the care Of q ~stripling!"
"Why, sir, 1 have an affection of
the -
Heart CowardT thundered the pirate
an affection Of the heart and absence OF
courage that prompted you 10 take care OF
.laawaa1N - wwLaN - O.. uaaV.a aWaas
and ship. Pitch him overheard, boysI'
The captain fell upon his knees and beg
ged Of him for mercy.
II have a wife and six children" he
urged.
''What a pityl siX more poltroons to gro y
up and disgrace their humanity. Nhyyou're
the meanest man 1 ever saw. Not fghtl
Bahl'
He then turned to his ownmen, and mo-
toned them 10 20 on board Of their own
vessel. Thon again coming to me, he offer
cd me his hand, saying:
You will not refuse TO give me your
hand in parting. Your presence on board
Of this vessel has saved her to her owners,
and saved the lives Of all with you. The
name you bear is one which l must over
respect. Farewell, sir. Bear 10 your father
my kindest regards"
He touched his cap in salute, jumped on
the rail, and in o little while his schooner
was close hauled on the wind far ahead Of
us.
AS soon as the captains fright was over,
he resumed all the ~pompousness Of his us
nal n He ordered the men to duty,
then turning to me exclaimed: II think
we fought those rascals finely" / arrived
at the island in due time, aud joined my
ship. This was the last I ever saw of Car
reba, the pirate. .f..