Connecticut western news., 1871-09-29
A Fight for Life.


 furnishes the following account of an outrage by the Mexican pirates
 On the 20th of August Captain Thurs was informed by the Mexican Alcalde or Mayor, that there were three sailors on board the Brothers who had been shipped there and must be returned, Captain Thurston replied that the men had been legally shipped, they were not Mexlcans, and would not be given up; if they were taken from him 1t must be by force :; and if the Alcalde persisted he would lay the matter before the United States gov ernment. The Alcalde replied: "I do not care for your government" He then arrested Captain Thurston and ordered him to be forcibly retained on shore The captain, seeing no other alternative, promised that if allowed to return to his vessel he would send the three men on shore. At this time a mob of Mexican desperadoes was surrounding the house in which he was confined, demanding that he be surrended' to them. The Alcalde advised him not to attempt to pass through the mob, as he would surely be murdered if he did. He was finally conducted to his vessel, the crowd of ruffians following, and shouting "kill him." Once on board, he kept hi prom ise and sent the men ashore. After re- turning to his vessel, several attempts were made to decoy Captain Thurston on shore again, but he would not trust himself among the murderous gang During this time he had some slight difficulty with the consignees of the Brothers regarding some matters relat- ing to the vessel or cargo. On the 27th of August the clerk of the consignees was on the Brothers, and returned to shore with the captains boat, stating that he would return next morning with the necessary clearance papers for her departure About 10 o'clock on the same night he returned to the bark in company with eight other Mexicans from the shore. Captain Thurston welcomed the party cordially, suspecting no treach- cry, and they returned his friendly salu- tations. Captain Dickey, of the bark Harvest Home, then laying near the Brothers, was with Captain Thurston at the time. For short time friendly conversation was kept up, when sud denly, and in accordance with precon- certed signal, the Mexicans arose, and,
 
 Thurston, exclaiming: You are pris oner." The Captain seized a cutlass, and struck at the nearest of the party. The first mate called up the crew and told them to fight for their lives. They seized cutlasses, belaying-pins, capstan bars-anything that was handiest-and desperate struggle commenced. The Mexicans fired at the crew, two shots took effect, one passing through the stewards mouth and entering his throat, injuring him painfully, but not seriously. One of the sailors was also wounded. The crew were making good fight, but it was reserved for the second mate to distinguish himself by showing coolness and bravery that would have done honor to the veteran of many battles. He is the son of Captain Thurston, and is but eighteen years old. When the fight commenced he took his revolver and endeavored to enter the cabin and aid his father. The Mexicans prevented him, and he turned and entered by the rear. One of the pirates was scuffiing with Captain Thurston, and him he shot dead. Alarmed by the fall of this man, the others attempted to flee, panic-strick- en, towards their boat. One was chased by Captain Dickey and shot dead by the second mate. Taking position on deck young Thurston fired the four remaining shots in his pistol at the wretches as they endeavored to get over the boats side, and each time one fell dead, making six victims to his steady hand. Of all the assailants, but two escaped to the boat, and of these one bore severe sabre wound. The ringleader, the con- signee's clerk, was killed by sabre cut from Captain Thurston. Captain Thurs. ton shipped the anchor, made sail, and attempted to get to sea but there was no wind, and the vessel lay motionless. Arms were then collected and prepara- tions made to give the pirates another fight. Soon afterward two large boats filled with men were seen pulling out from the shore, and Captain Thurston concluded they were too strong for tl4e means of defence at his command. He and the crew then abandoned the Brothers, and put to sea in the small boat without either water or provisions. They pulled thirty-fve miles out, and on the 29th were picked up by the bark Harvest Home, which had laid near them at the scene of the attack. Captain Dickey, of the Harvest Home, states what occurred after the Brothers was abandoned. The two boats seen by Captain Thurston pulled around her, and by firing on her found that she was deserted They then rowed towards the Harvest Home and gave her a volley, which Captain Dickey returned with such good effect, that they hauled off and returned to shore. On, the following morning, the 2sth of August, large party of Mexicans came off in two armed schooners and went round the Brothers, firing upon her with howitzer. They then boarded her, and took her to the anchorage near shore. Captain Dickey wanted to see no more, but went off to sea, first sending @ report of what had occurred to the United States Consul at Mimtitian He picked up Captain Thurston and the crew.
 A LITTLE JoKE.-Lord Shaftesbury,