The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-06-04
THE WEST INDIAN PIRATES.

some years ago the W est 1H'aldH sSas
were infested by pirates, of savage
atSpcity and desperate valour. They
were composed of men Of all nations,
runaway sailors from English, Danish,
French, and Dutch vessels,-though
probably, the larger portion of them
were men of Spanish race, natives OF
Cnba, or of the old Spanish settlements
of the Southern States of America.
I had taken passage on board the
merchant ship Mary, at Belize, and we
were on our voyage to Liverpool, when
the following incident befel me.
I had seen the captain standing on
the after-deck, and, from time to time,
eagerly surveying with his glass some
object in our wake. l walked up to him
on one of these occasions, and inquired
what he was trying to make out?
There is a strange vessel in sight,
he answered; fbut l can't quite make
her out"
"She may be one Of those Bristol
traders that were nearly ready to sail
when we left port" l observed.
No; she doesn't look like one of that
sort. She seems of some bastard rig;
but we may make her on, by-and-by."
"You do not think we are pursued?'
asked, feeling alarmed, as landsmen
are usually disposed TO be at sea, when
they encounter anything that looks mys-
terious.
''Really' cannot TELL" was his an
swer; "but suppose it will be time
enough to cry out when we're likely 10
be hurt"
And 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 | slept for moment, !
was haunted by Dreams of pirates, sharks
clothes, and again sought the deck. The
moon was halfway up the heavens, and
not cloud was il sight; countless stars
of wondrous beauty and brilliancy
gemmed 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 vein Of quick
silver, right under the moons eye All
was quiet, peaceful, and beautiful; it was
magnificent night, such as is only to
be seen within the tropics, and not often
even there.
The winds were almost laid The
gentlest possible breeze filled the sails,
just enough to set them to sleep, though
not TO prevent them giving an idle flap
and then, when the vessel rolled a little
heavier than usual Oh the long swell
Nothing stirred about the deck. The
watch had disappeared forward; but
found the captain still on the alert, and
again surveying the remote object he
had before observed, through his nigh
glass l did not interrupt him again by
my questionings; | paced the deck il
the delicious night air; but my atten-
tion was shortly attracted by the sound
the watch. Orders were given by the
captain, and every stitch of sail wai
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 darl
blue sky. In few minutes all was still
again; the vessel seemed to make bette
way through the water, from the in
creasing ripple Of the wavelets hearC
against her sides. Drowsiness gradual
ly stole upon me, and l went below
again to court my pillow.
/ was startled from my slumbers to
wards morning, by the sound of alarmed
voices, and of hurried tramping on deck
| threw on my clothes, and hastened NJ
the companion ladder; on my way up
met black Sambo, the cook. ThougI
nature had put it ont of his power t
look pale, the poor fellow looked tn
picture of terror The pallor of frigh
seemed positively struggling through
his skin, and his eyes had that express
ion of alarm, which terriies more tina
even the pallid cheek or the quiverin
! lip.
For heavens sake" asked, ''wha
/ is the NATTER"
"Sharks, SAP he replied, in an intens
whisper-seemingly afraid to spea
above his breath.
, ''Is that alp"
"Allp' he instantly said. Pirate
Sap
"Where?" l asked. my heart suddenl
bounding against my ribs.
"See!" said Sambo. pointing aft.
] looked in the direction indicated
, and my eyes rested on an object yet ;
some distance, but enough to strike fea
into the stoutest heart. 1t was 18Th
strange ship" which the captain ha
been scanning the preceding night, an
there could now be little doubt as to hi
: -character. A smart breeze had sprur
mp, and she was rapidly gaining on II
Her rig and hull were how recognize
!, by some of the older hands on boar
she was a notorious pirate-ship, in fu
chase of our vessel, and, but for son
merciful interposition of Providence, v
seemed doomed for capture.
e walked up to the captain: "Well"
"a said, "the secrets at last out?"
3, "Yes, / knew her from the first, but
e tried the chance of an escape, not kno'
p; ing whether she might have seen ms
not; but, you see, we have failed. 81
re is one of the most determined pirates
l. these seas-manned by a crew of abo
lie the biggest rufiians that ever trod
t. deck.
le "But what is to be done?" I asked.
If "Surely, you do not think Of ofieri
is resistance?"
be There is no other way for it; at
n, events, we must try. We may wing !
he and escape"
I'd "But, if you fail, you will only ha
ii exasperated them, and provoked th'
revenge"
"Resist or not, we ,have no mercy
-, | hona from, tharx, anA INV m