The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-19
a Boa. ahoy r .ung oa. .he man o. the

most in our track, though, at first sight,
there seemed nothing in its appearance to
excite either suspicion or alarm.
Keep your 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 keeping
sharp lookout in all directions.
We were soon within hail of the boat,
and perceived that there was only one
man on board, who seemed as il fishing
with rod and line at the boats bow.
An immense tarpaulin covered the boat
which was large as jolly.
The only circumstance which excitedour
suspicion was an object very like a carron-
ade on pivot, planted forward, and on
which the man sat, as il to conceal it, lie
soon hailed US in Spanish; but our captain
not understanding Spanish, hailed in
English.
Hilloa, sir, what are you about there ~
Fecshin, was the man reply "Will
buy feesh p
And what kind Of fish do you catch
here, so far out at sea ?"
All sorts, sare p
And what's the use of that gun see
at your bow"
All, sare keep of de de pirates wild
dat.
Now, men" said our captain, turning
round 81 smell some treachery here.
Whatever happens, be ready, calm, and
collected; we may have double danger to
run; | fear this is pirates trick. Sam.
bo," Cunning to the black cook, see that
the poker is kept red hot, and be ready to
hand it upl'
Ay, ay, Sa y said Sambo, showing his
worries; for Sambo's poker had been ap-
pointed to do the duty of port fire or match.
We were within less than pistolshot
Of the boat, when we observed sudden
hustle under the tarpaulin. The man at
the bow changed his position, pointed the
carronade in the direction Of our brig, and
bang round shot went whistling through
our foresail. At the same instant, the
tarpaulin was thrown of, with loud shout,
and some thirty fierce and savage looking
rufians displayed themselves to view
They Immediately saluted us with volley
Of small arms, which, however, did but
little damage, though saw one of our
men fall. The Others were with difficulty
restrained from firing upon them-the
black cook now brandishing his heated
poker. But the captain shouted out "For-
bear not shot till give the word"
The pirate boat rapidly approached,
and her crew fred another volley upon us;
but firing upwards, and our men being
sheltered by the bulwarks, no damage was
this time done. The rufians were now
close upon us, and | could see their gleam-
ing pixies and cutlasses, the pistols and
long knives in their belts, and their revol-
ting 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. M
Now, men, steady! Run out the
guns; mind your aim Now, Blacky, with
your poker"
The guns were run out through the
port holes in an instant, aud one fiery
stream of death after another was poured
down upon our assailants. At least three
or four heavy shot went through the boats
bottom, when she almost instantly filed
and sunk, leaving her crew in the water,
struggling and swimming for hfe. A
cry of horror rose from among them
when the first yolley Of grape and round
shot crashed into their midst, and they
howled for pity and mercy. But there
was little time for consideration now; and
one by one, the swimmers disappeared.
Some sunk, Others seemed to be suddenly
dragged under water Two sharks, which
had followed the ships wake for some
days, now enjoyed high earouse. There
was an occasional splash, an upturned
belly, a crunching Of bones, and in mo-
ment all was over with the victim
And what of the pirate ship-the first
object Of our fears What was our sur
prise to find the stranger ship shecring off
Most probably our warm reception of the
Cuba fishermen" had shown them that
we were fully prepared for resistance.
However this might be, certain It is that
they parted company with US forthwith,
anu troupieu us no more. 1he JOY OF the
crew and passengers, thus rescued from
perils so imminent, need scarcely be de-
scribed. The captain was quite beside
himself with joy, and seemed almost in
elined to embrace the black cook Sambo
for his gallant handling Of the poker.
Double, il. not treble allowances of grog
were served out to the mem aud we reached
port in safety, without further incident,
about three weeks after this adventure
with the pirates.
Among the many agents for the spread
of infectious diseases are, It seems, ''our
domestic pets. For the propagation of
fever a dog is as bad, or worse, than
drain, and a case Is referred to in the