Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-08-22
A RIVER PIRATE.
Bonn ~, N,r orIsaa. pI.patsh.l

From the New Orleans Dispateh.l
uwas the fashion half century AZ
TO invest the name Of pirate with
halo OF romantic imaginings In wh'el
ships sailing on the ocean, fierce bneea
neers and Gags bearing the raw hea.
and bloody bone" were mixed IN nd
mired confusion. But since our sea
hoard cities have grown into large pro
portions. a new genus Of the specle'
nitrate has developed the curiosity o
those who delight in criminal annals
Nor has New Orleans been exempt ron
the pillages OF these desperadoes., som;
wears ago, when the late Smith lizard
was an active aud most skillful detective
on the police force, his attention was
called to frequent depredations on tnt
leyee and river, wherein much valuable
merchandise was carried away, resulting
in the aggregate to many thousand dol
lars. The most ingeniously eontrived
sehemes of detection had failed TO re-
veal the perpetrators. Occasionally al
night. a small lueger, beautifully pro,
portioned and capable of wonderful
speed. was seen 10 dart along the river
eiuding the chase Of the patrols and aus
appearing in some mysterious way tna'
gave rise to the impression among the
superstitious and illiterate OF withcrait
or sorcery. nj,
Finally, one night as Mr.. d Armas,
accompanied by daughter and two ser.
wants, was crossing the river IN SKIN
they we're run into by luggsr and over,
turned. The gentleman aud lady and
one of the servants we're rescued by the
crew of the lugger. but one Of the serv'
ing men was drowned.
An hour or So after and Mr.. ID Armas
and his servant we're put ashore, but the
Young lady was held captive, as hostage
for ten thousand dollars, to be paid as
ransom on certain night IN down
town resort, week hence. The parte'
ulars of the occurrence were immedl'
ately laid before the police. 1t was in:
stantly surmised that the perpetrators OF
the outrage could be no others than the
famous river pirates who had so long
set the patrols aud the detectives at de-
fance.
The capture OF the lugger and crew
was naturally considered an imperative
necessity. OF course this feeling was
intensified by the recent occurrence
But how to effect it was a question more
readily asked than solved. The capture
of the emissary detailed to receive the
ransom money would possibly result IN
his punishment, but would neither re
lease the young lady nor bring the crew
of the lugger withiN the reach Of justice.
The case, after much discussion was
finally intrusted to Mr.. lizard, with IN
structions to take such time and adopt
such measures as in his judgment we're
deemed advisable. =,
By direction of the detective Mr..
D'Armas went the night appointed to
the rendezvous, carrying with him the
money for his daughter ransom. 1t was
at a saloon situated on the levee, near
the Ursulines Convent; sailors drink
ing house, full of disreputable charac'
tiers, and with a reputation not less In
famous than the famous Gallatin street
dance houses. Murder had been done
there in open daylight, and with every
adjunct OF ferocious cruelty. Robbery
was almost indigenous to the place, and
riot and bloodshed of nightly occur
renee. To attempt the arrest OF any
law breaker there was an absurdity,
much less could a gang of desperadoes
thoroughly disciplined and united be
taken into custody.
These facts we're well known to the
detective, and he had lain his plans &C
cordingly. Mr.. D'Armas entered the
room, not without fear and trembling,
but with assumed courage and compos-
ure. A dozen or more low browed. ruff
fans we're seated around the room, some
smoking. some chewing tobacco, and all
discussing in loud tones on nautical
topics. Others we're drinking at the
bar. The visitor seated himself at
small table in the center Of the room,
asking to be supplied with liquor,
awaited developments. Very soon he
was approached by one Of the habitues
with the inquiry, if be was the cove
in search of the kid?
"If you mean a young lady, | am,
replied Mr.. D'Armas.
''Well, yes" yawned the rufiin, Its
the gal mean"
"Then you are the man deputed to
receive the money and restore 10 me my
daughter" o,
"You are right, gov nor, L m the man.
"Then let us proceed to business,
cried the anxious father; want to see
my child" =,
"Softly, gov'nor, softly; you'll have
10 90 with me some little distance yet,
but are you quite alone-is no one with
youY' inquired the man with evidently
aroused suspicion.
"Yes, am quite alone.
at won't do to come no tricks on me
gov nor. it might cost you your life"
/" shall attempt none, so lead the
way" and the mau went into the street
followed by Mr.. DArmas.
He had come alone certainly, but far
in his rea. lowered and crouched three
nufled figures armed to the teeth, and
bent upon a deed Of desperate daring.
They we're lizard aud his companions
detectives, not less skilled than him
self--men Of iron nerve and unfaltering
courage. Il was hazardous. certainly,
for these three men 70 undertake the
CAPTURE Of a band Of unknown numbers,
and in their own stronghold but more
Assistants would have rendered conceal
ment less possible and defeated the
thorough understanding With which 81
must act. SO they crouched and FOL
loved the lead o! the parties IN front.
Il vas a little way further down the
river. They stopped before . low, one
story house that led back into a wilder
ness Of buildings. Then. a moments
pause, q peculiar signal, aud then Nj
DArmas and bis guide disappeared 10
the buildings. 10 few minutes be re-,
turned. accompanied By bis daughter
ADD passed hastily up the street. pa1''