The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-02-25
CIRREBA, THE PIRATE.
A Desperate Encounter.

"A
Ionce had the misfortune, while yet /;
"middy,'' to fall into the clutches of Car
reba, the Pirate Chief. who at that time
was known from the Canary Isles to the
Capes of Florida, as being one of the
most daring as we'll as the most success
full freebooters that ever foated oyer the
broad Atlantic. | had been appointed
to berth in the old Constitution, then
cruising in the West India Islands, and
was forced to take passage in small mer.
chairman trading between Charleston and
Porto Rico, in order the more speedily
to join my ship.
Our captain was hale, bluff old sea
log, who had weathered more gales than
had counted years. and who was fond o.
pinning yarns | was much entertained
this quality in him, as We walked the
eek together, while nearing the lower
titudes, where we found hight breezes
i'd pleasant weather. He was apt to
eak of his personal exploits with a
aggadocio air, that to one unaccustom-
as then was to the skipper s fancies,
emed to me not only marvellous, but
lie. 1t is difficult for me now to recall
number of battles that he had been
gagged in, the names of the pirates he
d slain, or the names of the vessels In
lich he had distinguished himself
ter one of these confidential cUnvorsa-
ms, | said to him:
But those times have passed, Cap
in Willis. There are no pirates now. ;"
He looked at me some time III silence,
til a view to detect on my countenance
me expression that would belle my
,rds But as [ really thought as | had
id, his glance vent tor nothing.
:. Why bless your lanflubber s ileart, -
replied, when satisfied. In course
ere are pirates now, and powerful nasty
les. too! May | lose the number of
mess, if don t expect to fail IN with
me of the sharks this cruise. >
/" Fall 10 with pirates - | exclaimed,
surprise, and this "trip, too =
Aye. my lad-but hope you aren' t
fraid, be you p
''Afi aid i" oh, nol am anxious to
real pirate. F"
Oh, you be, Ell? Well, youngster,
u Il haul in your stun sails if you ever
come athwart the bows of one of them
,e traders. You like to see one, eh
ler's Que cruising al! the way from the
,naries to the Gulf-up and duwn the
lst. that it would shiver your toplighss
see
Who is he2 What de you call him :?
He IS known to US as Carreba, the
ntigua buccaneer. He's dare devil.
d would't show his heels-no. not to
,e Of Uncle Sam's frigates. He com
ands taut little craft, aud handles her
[ would marlin-spike.
And have you ever CHANGED to meet
imp inquired
Meet him, youngster? In course
ave. | recoilect some three years ago,
when | had the Bouncing Fanny, and
N voyage to the Azores and market,
while laziIy creeping along on the edge OF
The trade winds, falling in with this same
pest of the sea. May never sp ice the
main brace again, if | WASH t allowed tc
meet him face to face.
And what did you do? Made all sail
Hauled out your bowines and run, eh ?
No, sir hauled aback, and waited
for him to run down, just as | should d,
now if he should appear Run? You
don't kaow Captain Willis. He run.
from no man y
Would you then face him if he should
appear now?'
"Of course | would. Haven't we go1
a long Tom in the bows, ald a 'sterr
chaser to uuot? Then look at our arir:.-
ment -cutlasses pistols, and boarding
pixies enough for any emergency.
Sail ho cried the man aIa.t-
The fus>y. Dragging captain turned pax
vii b fright as he inquired:
" Where away
Three points of the weather bow.
+. What does She look like
" A lnw, iong. black schooner, Il SLAYER
7 reckon. bound to Cuba
ats Carreba [ know it," cried tn,
excited captain. Square the yards
Keep her away. you man at the wheel
Quick, put her before the wind. "
why, captain, | demonstrated
where is your bravery? You were anx
ious to meet him.
!" Az, boy, but not on this tack. W,
will come about soon
I saw at once that he was coward
His orders were obeyed, aud soon we wer
sailing with free sheet, directly betor
the wind took seat upon the mair
topsail yard, and with the ships elaS
watched the motions of the stranger, VIII
had bv this time come fully in sight.
"Cantain Willis" | said, now
the time for you to haul aft your shee,
and lay to the wind. This vessel is con
ing down upon u..
He did not answer me, but shouted, q
he top of his voice:
Lay alott there and rig out them stu
all booms Quick, men, or We are lost
Then turning 70 me, he said, apologet
ally;
u have too valuable cargo to rIs
hs chances with him. Besides, | mus
Ut. as a faithful commander. run III
-ew, smal! as it Is, into any danger
tut we shall meet him on our return
zen. if he is cruising her., let him bt
are of me T.
l was disguised with his evasion. an
most boy as | was. determined to tax
,mmand bv appealing to the men, an
hit Carreba myself should it, indeed
he.
Meanwhile, it became evident that tn
hooner WAS nearing Us, and it was
ere matter of time and the relatiy
natives of the two vessels, whether
It we should be overhaulel Again
.ged the captain TO reconsider his ac
It with dignity i'll lecoming his treml
70 accents, he then replied. My reason
we been overflow dare | basely b
ymy trust? The owners Of this vess
I'VE right to demand that should u
-ery effort to save her, and / shalldo so.
"Then, si-, you will not only have Il
edit Of having attempted an escap