The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-06-11

lueiense. All the guns, rines, pistols,
swords and cutlasses which the ship
could muster were brought on deck,
and distributed among the passengers
and crew.
The pirate-ship was now rapidly ap-
preaching, and was almost within gun
shot. We conld see her deck distinctly,
and perceived it was crowded with men;
booms and all were filed. Shewas evi-
IDENTIFY well armed, for we saw six guns
on side, and long gun on pivots,
planted on the forecastle. The occas-
ional CLEAN of steel caught our eye. We
say man, evidently person in com
mand, standing in the shrouds, with a
polished speaking trumpet in his hand,
closely scanning us. He wore white
trousers, and had a red sash bound
around his waist. On his head was a
broad Panama hat, the now burning sun
rendered such defense highly neces-
sary.
But our attention was suddenly at
tracted in another direction, by a new
object of interest-perhaps of danger.
It must here be observed, that we were
nov off the coast of Cuba, whose high
lands to the west of Cape Maize rose
clear and strongly-de6ned against the
northern sky. One of the old hands on
board pointed out, not very far Of, a spot
which, he assured us, was one of the
most noted piratical hsunts 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 ahoyl" sung out the man on the
lookout.
"Where awayi"
"Under our forefootl"
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 your eye on that ere, captain, y
was the remark of the old seaman at our
side.
And the captain, to do him justice,
seemed alive to the necessity of keeping
a 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 a rod and line at the boats
bow. An immense tarpulin covered the
boat which was large as a jolly. The
only circumstance which excited our
was an object very like car
ronade on pivot, planted forward, and
on which the man sat, as if to conceal it.
He soon hailed us in Spanish; but our
not understanding Spanish, hail
ed in English.
"Hilloa, sir, what are youabout therel"
"Feeshin," was the mans reply.
"Will buy feesh2"
"And what kind of fish do you catch
here, srfar out at sea-"
"All sorts sare!"
"And what's the use of that gun see
at your bows1"
"Ah, ,sare! keep off de pirate wild dat. J"
"Now, men" said our captain, turn
ing round, Il smell some treachery here.
Whatever happens, be ready, calm, and
collected; we may have double danger
to run; I fear this is a pirates trick
(turning to the black cook
see that the poker is kept red hot, and
be ready to hand it upl"
SAY, ay, Sal" said sambo, showing
his worries; for Sambos poker had been
to do the duty of port fire or
match.
We were within less than pistol shot
of the boat, when we observed a sudden
hustle under the tarpaulin. The man
at the bows changed his position, pointed
the carronade in the direction of our
brig, and bang! a round shot went
whistling through our foresail At the
same instant, the tarpaulin was thrown
off, with loud shout, and some thirty
fierce and savage looking rufians dis
played themselves to view. They i'm
mediately saluted us with a volley of
their 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 handing up
his heated poker. But the captain
shouted out, "Forbearl not a shot till I
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 ruff
fans were now close upon us, and I
could see their cleaning pixies and 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 piratespower. ,e
But our turn for action had now come
The boat had almost struck the ships
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