The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-06-05
Subscribers out of County, S1.2O.

BIN guns Oll " Slut, anu long gun, on
pivots, planted on the forecastle. The
occasional CLEAN of steel caught our
eye We saw man, evidently in COM
mand, standing in the shrouds, with
polished speaking trumpet in his hand,
closely scanning us. lie wore white
trousers, and had a red sash bound
round his waist. On his head was
broad Panama hat, the now burning sun
rendered such defence highly neces-
Sary.
But our attention was suddenly at
tracted in another direction, by new
object of iaterest-perhaps of danger
1t must here be observed, that we were
now off the coast of Cuba, whose lands
to the west of Cape Maize, rose clear and
strongly-defined against the northern
sky. One of the old hands on board
pointed out not very far off, a spot
which, he assured us, was one of the
most noted piratical haunts in Cuba.
"These fellows" said he, "even ven-
| ture out in their boats to attack and
board merchantmen of the first class. L
have known"
"Boat ahoy!" sung out the man on
the lookout.
''Where away?"
"Under our forefOot!'
And sure enough there was boat al
most in our track, though, at first sight,
there seemed nothing in its appearance
to excite either suspicion or alarm,
"Keep you eye on that ERE, captain"
was the remark of the old seaman at
our side.
And the captain, to do him justice,
seemed alive to the necessity of keep
ing sharp lookout in all directions.
We were soon within hail OF the boat.
and perceived that there was only one
man visible on board, who seemed as if
fishing with rod and line at the boats
bow. An immense tarpaulin covered
the boat which was large as u jolly. The
only circumstance which excited our
suspicion was an object very like car
ronade on a pivot, planted forward,
and on which the man sat, as if to con-
ceal it. He soon hailed us in Spanish;
but our captain, not understanding
Spanish, hailed in English.
"Hilloa, sir, what are you about
here?',
"Feeshin," was the mans reply,
"Will buy feesh?"
'And what kind of fish do you catch
here, SO far out at sea?"
IAN sorts, sare!"
"And what's the use of that gun see
ut your bows?"
"Ah, sare! keep off de pirates wild
dat"
Now, men," said our captain, turn
ing round, q smell some treachery
here. Whatever happens, be ready, calm,
and collected; we may have a double
danger to Iun; fear this is a pirates
trick SamOo," (turning to the black
cook,) see that the poker is kept red
hot, and be ready To hand it up!''
"Ay,ay, SAL said Sambo whose poker
had been appointed to do the duty of
poIt fire or match.
We were within less than pistol
shot of the boat, when we observed
sudden hustle under the tarpaulin. The
man at the bows changed his position,
pointed the caronade in the direction of
our brig, and bang! round shot went
whistling through our forsail. AT the
same instant, the tarpauln was thrown
of, with loud shout and some thirty
fierce and Sayage-loOking ruiiians dis
played themselves to view They i'm
mediately saiuted us with voIey of
their small arms, which, however, did
but little damage, though saw one of
our men fail. The others were with
difficulty restrained from firing upon
them the black cook now brandishing
his heated poker but the captain
shouted out. "FOrbearI not a shot till
give the word"
The piratc-boat rapidly approached,
and the crew fired another volley upon
u.s. but firing upwards, and our men
being sheldered by the bulwarks, no
damage was this time done. The ruff
fans were now close upon MS, and
could see their cleaning pixies aud cut
lasses, the pistols and long knives in
their belts, and their revolving looks.
There was faint scream of the females
on deck. We seemed as If already in
the pirates power.
But our turn for action had now
come. The boat had almost struck the
ships side, when the clear voice of the
captain was heard,
"Now, men, steadyl Run out the
guns; mind your aiml Now, Blacky,
with your poker"
he guns were run out through the
portfolios in an instant, and one fiery
stream Of death after another was
pourel down upon our assaiiauts. At
least thee or four heavy shots went
through the boats bottom, when she al
most instantly dlled and sank, leaving
her crew in the water, struggling and
swimming for life. A cry OF horror
rose from among them when the first
volley of grape and rOu"d shot crashed
into their midst, and they howled for
pity and mercy. Bnt there was little
time for consideration noN aud one by
one, the swimmers disappeared. Some
sunk, others seemed to be suddenly
dragged ulaer water. Two sharks.
which had followed the ships wake for
some Gays, now enjoyed high car
ouse. There was an occasional splash.
an upiurned belly, crluchng of
bones, and in moment all was over
With the victim.