The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-19
Select gtorg.
THE WEST INDIAN PIRATES.
A TALE OF THE SEA.

Some years ago the West Indian seas
were infested by pirates, of savage atrocity
and desperate yalour. They were COM
posed Of men Of all nations, runaway sail
ors from English, Danish, French, and
Dutch vessels,--though probably, the lar
ger portion Of them were men Of Spanish
race, natives of Cuba or of the old Span.
ish settlements Of the Southern States of
America.
l had taken passage on board the mer-
chant ship Mary, at Belize, and we were
on our voyage to Liverpool, when the fol-
lowing incident befel mc.
| had seen the captain standing on the
after-deck, and, from time to time, eagerly
surveying with his glass some object in
our wake. walked up to him on one Of
these occasions, and inquired what he was
trying to make out?
" There Is strange vessel in sight, he
answered "but l can't quite make her
out"
She may be one Of those Bristol ira
ders that were nearly ready to sail when
we left port" | observed
No; she doesn't look like one of that
sort. She seems Of some bastard rig; but
we may make her out by-and-by."
You do not think we arc pursued ?"
l asked, feeling alarmed, as laudsmen are
usually disposed to be at sea, when they
encounter anything that looks mysterious.
Really | cannot tell, was his answer;
but suppose it will be time enough to
cry out when we're likely to be hurt"
Aud so saying, he strobe forward with
his glass.
Night fell but the air was SO hot and
sitting below, that found sleep next to
impossible. If I slept for moment,
was haunted by dreams of pirates, sharks,
and shipwrecks SO hurried on my
clothes, and again sought the deck. The
moon was halfway up the heavens, and
not cloud was in sight countless stars of
wondrous beauty and brilliancy gcmmed
the sky, and the ocean was flooded with
their light, A long line of quivering rays
lay flashing on the bosom of the sea, like a
vein of quicksilver, right under the moon s
eye All was quiet, peaceful, and beauti-
full, it was magnificent night, such as is
only to be seen within the tropics, aud not
often even there.
The winds were almost laid. The gem
tlcst possible breeze filled the sails, just
enough to set them to sleep, though not to
prevent them giving an idle flap now and
then, when the vessel rolled little heavier
than usual on the long swell Nothing
stirred about the deck. The watch had
disappeared forward; but / found the
captain still on the alert, and again survey
ing the reliote object he had before OBJ
served, through his night-glass. | did
not interrupt him again by my question
ings; paced the deck in the delicious
night air; but my attention was shortly
attracted by the sound Of the boatswain's 8
shrill whistle calling the watch. Orders
were given by the captain, aud every stitch
of sail was crowded on the ship. Each
mast bore It's full load As stood aft,
and looked up, the sails seemed, in the
moonlight, like towers Of snow set against
the dark blue sky. In few minutes all
was still again; the vessel seemed to make
better way through the water, from the
increasing ripple of the wavelets heard
against her sides. Drowsiness gradually
stole upon me, and went below again to
court my pillow.
! was startled from my slumbers towards
morning, by the sound of alarmed voices,
and of hurried tralnping on deck. Ithrew
on my clothes, aud fastened up the com.
panion ladder on my way up met black
Sambo, the cook. Though nature had
put it out Of his power to look pale, the
poor fellow looked the picture of terror
The pallor Of fright seemed positively
struggling through his skin, and his eyes
had that expression Of alarm, which terri
6es moro than even the pallid cheek or the
quiyering lip.
Z For heavens sake" | asked, "what is
the matter ?"
"Sharks, Sa y he replied, in an intense
whisper seemingly afraid to speak above
bis breath.
81 Is that all p
"Alll" he Instantly said aPirates
Sar'
"Where2" 2" | asked, my heart suddenly
bounding against my ribs.
" See i" said Sambo, pointing aft.
i looked in the direction indicated, and
my eyes rested on an object yet at some
distance, but enough to strike fear into
<he stoutest heart II was "the strange
fhip," which the captain had been scan
Hing the preceding night, and there could