, 1872-03-14
from the Alta California;
The Pirates Cave and the Hid
den Treasure of Cocos
Island.

"The romance of real life" has be-
come trite phrase in the ears of the
public. In narrating the thrilling story
of the captives, who were made the VIC
TINS Of an English nobleman's revenge,
and forced to share the eventfuI life of
the pirates of Cocos Island, it shall be
our aim to avoid the story. teller's plati-
tudes. 1t is not often that the reporter
of daily newspaper is called upon to
listen to tale of real adventure of
equal interest with the one we now in
tend to make public.
Our readers are all acquainted with
the fact that many different parties have
visited Cocos Island in the endeavor to
discover the hidden treasure of band
of pirates, who once invested the Pacific
Ocean. This subject has given oft-re-
peated facts for sensational and ludicrous
items but We are assured that the pub
lie have never learned the full particu-
lars of the origin of the belief in the ex-
lstence of the coveted wealth. The brig
Laura" which has been cleared from
the Custom House and is now only
awaiting favorable opportunity to cross
the bar, has on board new party of
men bound for the Island and confident
of discovering the pirates treasure.
The vessel is under command of Cap
tain Thomas Welsh, who, with his wife,
likewise a member of the party, were
captives on board the craft of the out
laws, and who are the only survivors
left to tell the story.
Yesterday morning our reporter visit
ed the Captain in his quarters on board
the Laura" moored alongside of Front
street wharf.
Friends and acquaintances were crowd
ing around him, bidding him "God
speed a successful trip and safe re-
turn" Notwithstanding the importu-
nifty of his visitors, the good-hearted,
weather-beaten Captain was prevailed
upon to furnish us brief history of his
eventful life, and invited our reporter to
the secIusion of the poop deck that he
might "spin his yarn" without Interrupt
ton.
There-a fresh breeze blowing, a cou-
pie Of genuine Havanas, the sight of the
hopeful crew and passengers below and
the broad expanse Of the busy bay
around-the old sailor gave the follow
ing account, which we submit to the
public
"You see," said the Captain, 'you
have caught me at the wrong time. 1
have now 50 much to think of-being
Just about to leave the harbor and my
friends being anxious to talk bit with
me before 1 leave-that can hardly
collect my thoughts to recall the events
of my early life. There are some things
also which do not dare to tell, for reas-
ons which you can understand. How
ever will do the best can.
"My mother was the daughter of an
English gentleman, living in Kent. She
was very beautiful and accomplished. /
can even now remember how like an an
gel she seemed to me, when sat upon
her knee, listening with childish rever-
ence to her sweet voice and song.
"Before she was married to my father
her attractions had won the admiration
of all who met her. Among her snitors
was the son of nobleman. He was a
handsome, proud young man, full of ar
dent hopes and bold ambition. His love
was constant and pure, and he longed
for the day when they should be Joined
in wedlock.
"Her parents were dead and she was
placed under the care of a guardian, a
country gentleman. whose name was
Goodenouf. To him the lover appealed
in vain for the hand and fortune of his
ward. In vain were his entreaties, his
protestations of undying affection and
his threats of revenge. The inexorable
guardian had promised his fair ward to
my father, and nothing would turn him
from his resolution.
81 will be brief. Ny mother was
married in accordance with his wishes
Driven to desperation and wild with dis
pair, the unfortunate lover fed from his
home, forsook wealth, fame and England
and became an outlaw of the seas. He
was not again seen in his native land
until six years afterward, when the event
full part of my history begins.
"I was born in the year 1913. Before
I was six months old my father died
Mr.. Goodenouf died soon after, leaving
daughter, Eliza, who is now my wife.
She was eight years older than myself,
and was my constant companion. Her
mother married again. Her husband,
whose name was Fox, was appointed as
nv guardian, and thus Eliza and I ware
nurtured under the same roof. We had
a little pony. and I can distinctly re-
member how we used to ride about un-
der the great oak trees in the park. She
WAS then to me like an older sister, and
where one was there was also the other.