The Hickman courier., 1877-07-27

cred down but hallards stretched
along deck, ready to be manned at a
moments notice.
The long nine-pounder was cram
med to the muzzle with nails, bullets
and scrap iron, while cutlasses, mus
kets and pistols-all that could be
mustered-were put in readiness for
use and distributed to the crew.
I" All hands were on deck, the mate
taking charge of the forecastle with
his watch, while 1 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.
." 1t was a clear starlight night /;
scarcel ly 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 along the
beach, or the skipping of porpoise
whifs whife a66ae my head listened 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.
Youngster, | felt a stern JOY as l
trained the Longtime carefully and
deliberately upon the calculating ras
Gals, who imagined they were on the
point of winning an easy victory.
81 watched every movement through
my glass, noted the gleam of their
arms as they glittered 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 rear
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 her
torrent of missiles, which swept through
the crowded ranks of the pirates with
deadly effect, judging from the shrieks
and groans that were borne to our
ears.
"The unexpected reception which
they had met with effectually damped
the ardor Of the assailants, leaving me
time and opportunity to carry out with
success the remainder of my plans.
AT a signal from me, my men
jumped to their allotted stations and
duties. The anchor was slipped, sail
made, and in an inconceivable short
space Of time the Mabel was under
way careening to the breeze, cutting
her way through the foam-crested
waves with the speed of dolphin.
"Then it was the pirates plucked
up sufficient courage to discharge their
small arms at us, mingled with a yell
of rage and disappointment. But l
was not through with them, youngster,
by long shot.
"Arming the men with cutlasses
and boarding pixies | stationed them
forward, and along the rail then put
ing directly for the two boats.
" Your grandma begged me to let
them alone and rest satisfied but my
blood was up, and it was no use talk
ing.
q 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 we're cumbersome and
heavy, the men dispirited, while we
were elated with the success which
had crowned our efforts.
Gone boat, by a vigorous use of the
long oars, managed to escape, but the
other was struck directly amidships
by the sharp stem of the Mabel, and
quick as lightning the wreck dissap-
peared meath the keel of the vessel.
g A few of the rascals succeeded in
gaining a foothold on the head-gear,
back-ropes, ETC., but blow of the cut
lass drove them back, ard l headed
out to sea, made all sail, leaving Cam
peachv astern. well satisfied with the
drubbing 1 had administered to the
pirates.
"There, youngster, you have had
the yarn, and l hope you may never
be similarly situated.