Smyrna times., 1871-11-08
eIIun eOuS.
A Yankee Captains Adventure,

Vi uouIdH HAlhhet VINO owned a schooner of |
some hundred tons burthen, in which he. to
gether with four stout sons, was won't to ~ go
about once year to the Grand Bank for the |
purpose OF catching goldfish. The old man
mad i've things about which he loved to boast
his schooner Betsy Jenkins " and bis four
sons.
The four sons were all that their father rep
resented them to be, and no one doubted his
word when he said that their like was not to
be found Tor hity miles around. The oldest was
twenty two, while the youngest had reached
his sixteenth year, and they answered to the
names OF Seth, Andrew, John and Samuel
One morning stranger called upon Jetiediah
10 engage HIM to take to Havana some iron
machinery belonging to steam engines for sugar
plantations the terms were soon agreed upon
ami the old man and his sons immediately SET
about putting the machinery on board; that
accomplished, they set sail for Havana with a
lalr wind, and tor several days proceeded on
thtlr course without an adventure of any kind
One morning, however. a vessel was deserted
on the Starboard quarter, which with some
hesitation the Old man pronounced TO be
pirate. here was not much time allowed
them for doubling, for the vessel soon saluted
them with not very agreeable whiZzing of
an eighteen pound Shot just under the stern.
That means for us to heave to, remarked
the Old man.
Then guess We better do it, hadn't we ?"
said Seth
"Of course"
Accordingly the Betsy jenkins was brought
up into the wind, and her main boom hauled
over to the windward.
Now, boys" said the old man, as soon as
the schooner came to IA stand, all we can do
Is, to be cooIas possible, and trust to fortune
here IS no way to escape that | can see now,
but perhaps II We are civil they will take such
stuff aS they want, and then let us 60 At any
rate, there IS no use crying about it. for it can
! be helped Now, get your pistols, and see
that they are surely loaded, aud have your
knives ready, but be sure to hide them, so
that the pirates shall see no signs Of ress-
! tan@c.
In few moments all the arms which the
schooner afforded. with the exception Of one or
two old mus krt~, were secured about the per
sons Of our Down casters, and they quietly
awaited the coming Of the schooner.
One word more, boys said the old man,
just as the pirate came round under the stern.
" Now watch every movement make, and be
ready to jump the moment | speak.
As Captain Spinuet ceased speaking the
pirate luticd up under the tishermau's lee
quarter, and in moment more the latter S
deck was grnced by the presence of dozan as
savage-!oOkiug mortalS as eyes ever looked
upon.
Are you captain of this vessel ~ asked the
leader, as he approached the old mate
Yes, sir.
What is your cargo?"
" Machinery for steam ingins.
" Nothing eloe?' asked the pirate, with a
searching look
At this moment Captain Spinnpt eye caught
what looked like a sail off to the south rd and
east 'rd, but not a sign betrayed the discovery,
and while brilliant idea shot through his
mind, he hesitatingy replied:
" Well there is "A little something else
: Ha, what is it?'
Why, sir, p'raps | hadn't ought to tell, y
said Captain Srinnet, countcrfeiting the most
| extreme perturbation. " You see it was given
me as sort of trust, and it wouldn't be right
for me to give it up. You can take anything
else you please, for | cant help myself.
Hou are an honest codger, at any rate,
said the pirate; but if you would live ten
minutes longer, just tell me what you've got
on board, and exactly the place where it lays. y
The sight of cooked pistol brought the old
man TO his senses, and III deprecating tone he
muttercd
Don't kill me, sir don't I'll tell you ALL
r We've got forty thousand silver dollars nailed
Z up in boxes for ard o the cabin bulkhcad but
Mr.. before didn't suspect anybody would have
, thought Of looking for it there"
. " Perhaps So chucked the pirate, while
y
r turning to his vessel, he ordered all but three
of his men to jump on board the Yankee.
y la few minutes the pirates had taken of
i the matches, and in their haste to get at The
silver dollars they forgot all else but no
a SO with Spinnet; he had his wits at work, ant
r no sooner had the last of the villains disap
peared below the hatchway than he turned t,
his boys.
Nov, boys, for your lives. Seth, You clar
, your knife across the fore and peak halyards
s and you, john cut the main. BE quick, now
: and the moment you have done it jump aboar,
r. the pirate. Andrew and Sam, you cast off tn,
(, pirates graphing, and then you jump-ther
ID we II walk into them three chaps aboard tn
n clipper. NOto .Jor ir'
d No sooner were the last words out of the oil,
mans mouth than his sons did exactly as thel
were directed. The fore and main haIyard
were cut, and the two grapplings cast off at tn
same instant, and as the heavy gatfs came rat
n, Ting down our heroes leaped on board the pi
= rate The moment the clipper felt at libert,
&c &c her head swung off, and before the astonishet
!. buccaneers could gain the deck of the fisher
n man their own vessel was near half a cable
e. length to the eeward, sweeping GRACEFUL,
ct away before the wind, while the three mel
10 who had been left in charge were easily secured
m "IIaloa, there" shouted Captain Spinnet
as the ucklcss pirates crowded around the le
ID gangway Of their prize, when you get then
r. ERE silver dollars just let us know, will you =
,1 -, Half dozen pistol shots was all the answe
- the old man got, but they did him no harm
-. and, crowdng on sails, he made for the vesst
25 he had discovered, which lay dead to leewar
of him. and which he now made out to be
IEp large ship. The clipper cut through the waite
"a like dolphin. and in short space of tim
Spinnet lufTed up under the ships stern, an
- explained all that had happened. The shi
O. proved to be an East Indiaman, bound 70
ey Charleston, having, all told, thirty men o.
ct board, portion Of whom at once jumped o.
Is, the clipper and offered their services in help
w ing to take the pirates.
Before dark Captain Spinnet was once NOR