The Hickman courier., 1877-07-27

cred down but hallards stretched
along deck, ready to be manned at a
moments notice.
"The long nine FOUNDER was cram
med to the muzzle with nails, bullets
and scrap iron, while eutlasses, mus
kets and pistols-all that could be
mustered-were put in readiness for
use and distributed to the crew.
"All hands were on deck, the mate
taking charge of the forecastle with
his watch, while remained aft with
the remainder. Ali lights had been
extinguished, the vessel was wrapped
apparently in slumber and silence, an
easy prey for the scoundrels who had
designs upon us.
cit was a clear starlight night ;
scarcely cloud was visible; the walls
of the town cleaned white and indis-
tinct in the starlight, while the horizon
seaward was clearly defined. No
sound was heard except the reverber-
ations of the surf breaking aleng the
beach, or the skipping of porPoise
s~1EssA occasionally came TO the assraasoc,
whiIesabove my head siistened to the
welcome music of the stiff land breeze
signing through the rigging.
" The hours rolled slowly on. Mid
night came, and, sweeping the horizon
with my eyeglass, detected two long
heavy boats pulling rapidly but quietly
from the shore directly for the vessel.
1oungster, [ felt a stern Joy as
trained the Longtime carefully and
deliberately upon the calculating ras
Gals, who imagined they were on the
point of winning an easy victory.
g watched every movement through
my glass, noted the CLEAN of their
arms as they ghttered in the full light
of the moon, and could almost count
their dark, swarthy faces.
"The boats were pulling side by
side, heading directly for the port bow
of the Mabel, and, stepping to the real
of the gun, glanced along the sights
They were in good range, the oppor
tunity was good, and, applying the
match, the old gun poured forth hel
torrent of missiles, which swept through
the crowded ranks of the pirates witt
deadly effect, Judging from the shrek.
and groans that were borne to om
ears.
"The unexpected reception which
they had met with effectually dampeC
the ardor Of the assailants, leaving me
time and opportunity to carry out witt
success the remainder of my plans.
AT a signal from me, my mer
jumped to their allotted stations anC
duties. Thel anchor was slipped, sal
made, and iIf an inconceivable shor
space of time the Mabel was under
way careening to the breeze, cutting
her way through the foam-crestec
waves with the speed of dolphin.
"Then it was the pirates pluckeC
up sufficient courage to discharge theil
small arms at us, mingled with vel
Of rage and disappointment. But
was not through with them, youngster
by long shot.
" Arming the men with cutlasses
and boarding pixies [ stationed then
forward, and along the rail; then put
ting the wheel down, / tackled, stand
ing directly for the two boats.
" Your grandma begged me to le
them alone and rest satisfied but my
blood was up, and it was no use talk
ing.
We were dashing along at the rate
of ten miles per hour. The survivors
in the boats saw the doom which
awaited them, and strove TO escape
but their boats were cumbersome anC
heavy, the men dispirited, while We
were elated with the success which
had crowned our efforts.
Zone boat, by a vigorous use of the
long oars, managed to escape, but the
other was struck directly amidship:
by the sharp> stem of the Mabel, and
quick as lightning the wreck dissap
peared meath the keel of the vessel.
" A few of the rascals succeeded in
gaining foothold on the head-gear
back-ropes, ETC., but a blow of the cut
lass drove them back, ard | headed
out to sea, made all sail, leaving Cam
peachv astern. well satisfied with the
drubbing had administered to the
pirates.
"There, youngster, you have had
the yarn, and l hope you may never
be similarly situated.