Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-10-05
A Eighi for Life.

| Outrage ny inc Mexican pirates
On tho Goth of August Captain Thurs
ton, was on shore at Santa Anna, and
was informed by the Mexican Alcalde or
Mayor, that there we're 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 it must be by force ;
and if the Alcalde persisted he would lay
the matter before the United States gov
eminent. The Alcalde replied: 81 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 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
ruilians following, and shouting "kill
him." Once on board, he kept his prom
Use 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 c0nsignees of the
Brothers regarding some matters relat-
ing to the vessel or cargo. On the 9th
of August the clerk Of the conslgnees
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 McXicans from
the shore. Captain Thurston welcomed
the party cordially, suspectingno treach,
cry, and they returned his friendly salu-
tations. Captain Dicley, of the bari;
Harvest Home, then laying near the
Brothers, Was with Captain ThurstOn at
the time For Il short time friendly
conversation was kept up, when sud
denly, and in accordance with precon-
certed signal the Mexicans arose, and,
drawing rcvolvcrs, surrounded Captain
Thurston, eXclaiming You are pris-
oner." The Captain seized cutlass,
and struck III the nearest of the party.
The first mate called up the crew and
told them to fight for their lives. They
se1zed cutiasses, belaying-pins, capstan
oars-anything that was handiest-and
a desperate struggle commenced. The
Mcxicans 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 a good fight, but
it was reserved for the second mate tC
distinguish himself by showing GOODNESS
and bravery that would have done honor
to the veteran of many battles. He il
the son of Captain Thurston, and is bu
eighteen years old. When the fgh
commenced he took his revolver anC
cndeavored to enter the cabin and ait
his father The Mexicans prevented
him, and he turned and entered by The
rear. One of the pirates was scutflinG
with Captain Thurston, and him he sho
dead. Alarmed by the fall of this man
the others attempted to flee, panic-strick
en-, towards their boat. One was chasoC
by Captain Dicbcy and shot dead by tn,
second mate. Taking position on decl
young Ihurston fired the fourremainin!
shots in his pistol at the wretches a.
they endeavored to get over the boat
side, and each time one fell dead, making
six victims to his steady hand, OF al
the assailants, but two escaped to thu
boat, and OF these one bore a sever,
sabre wound. The ringlcader, the con
: signee's clerk, was killed by sabre Gil
from Captain Thurston. Captain Thurs
ton shipped the anchor, made sail, anC
attempted to get to sea but there wa
no wind, and the vessel lay motionless
Arms were then collected and prepare
tons made to give the pirates anothc
fight Soon afterward two large boat
filed with men were seen pulling oil
from the shore, and Captain Thursto,
concluded they were too strong for til
means of defence at his command. H
and the crew then abandoned tn
Brothers, and put to sea in the small
boat without either water or provisions
They pulled thirty-tivc miles out, and OF
the 29th were picked up by the bari
Harvest Home, which had laid nea
them at the scene of the attack. Captain
Dickcy, of the Harvest Home, state
what occurred after the Brothers wa
abandoned. The two boats seen b,
Captain Thurston pulled around her, an,
by firing on her found that she wa
deserted. They then rowed towards tn
Harvest Home and gave her volley
which Captain Dickey returned with sucl
good effect, that they hauled off anc
returned to shore. On the following
morning, the 2Sth of August, a larg
party of Mexicans came off in two armeC
schooners and went round the Brothers
firing upon her with Il howitzer. The,
then boarded her, and took her to tn
anchorage near shore. Captain Diclle,
wanted to see no moro, but went off t.
sea, first sending a report of what hG(
occurred to the United States Consu
at Mimtitian He picked up Captain
ThWston and the crew.
A CHINESE WIDow.-A missionary il
China received an extraordinary care
from a lady giving him notice that shC
intended committing suicide at a speci