Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-10-25
The Yankee and the Pirate.

There lived many years ago, on the east
trn shore oi Mount Desert, an old fisher
man by the name OF Jedediah ~pinnet. who
owned schooner Of some hundred tons
burden. IN which he together with four
stout sons. was wont to 20 about once a
year TO the Grand Banks FOR the purpose OF
catching Goldfish.
The four sons were all that their father
could wish, aud no nne eyer doubted his
word when he said that their like was not
70 be found Tor fifty miles around The
oldest was twenty-five, while the youngest
had reached his sixteenth year. and they
answered 10 the names OF Seth, Andrew,
John and Samuel.
One morning a stranger called upon
Jcdediah TO engage him to take To Havana
some iron machinery belonging to steam
engines tor sugar plantations terms
were soon agreed upon, and the old man
and hi, sons Immediately set about putting
the machinery ou board that accomplished
they -et ~ail for Havana with fair wind,
and tor several days proceeded on their
cruise without an adventure OF any kind.
one morning, however, a vessel was de-
serted off the starboard quarter which
with some hesitation the old man pro.
nounced To BE- pirate. There vas not
much time ior doubtinJ. a. the vessel soon
saluted them with not a vcr, agreeable
whzzing OF twelve pound Shot ju-t under
their stern.
That means tor III To heave To, re.
mat ked The old man.
Then guess We had better 10 1t. hadn't
wc?" said Seth
"Of course"
Accordingly the Betsy .Truhiu>" was
brought up into the wind. aud her main
boom hauled over to windward
$'Now. boys" said the old man, as soon
as the schooner came to a stand. "all we
can do is to be as cool as possible. and
trust to fortune. There is no way TO escape
that can see now, but perhaps 1t we are
civil they will take such stuff as they want.
and then let us 90. Now get your pistols
end see that they are surely loaded and
have your knives ready. but be sure to hide
them so that the pirates shall see no signs
OF resistance" In Few moments all the
arms when the schooner afforded with the
exception OF one or two old muskets, were
secured about the persons OF our Down
casters and they quietly awaited the com.
Ing OF the schooner.
Zone word more. bows" said the old
man; jnst as the pirate came round under
the stern. Now watch every motion |
make. and be ready to jump the moment
speak"
As Captain Spinnet ceased speaking the
pirate utftd up under the tishermans lee
quarter, and in a moment more the latter's
hrck was graced by the presence Of a dog
en- as savage looking mortals rs eyes ever
luoAed upon.
Are YOU captain of this vessel:' asked
the leader Of the pirates, as he approached
the old man.
Yes. sir"
What is your cargo?'
Machinery for steam injns''
Nothing else?" asked the pirate, with
searching look.
We'll. there is something else
'Ha, and what is it?
"P'raps | hadn't ,ught to tell, said
Captain SpiDnet, coLnterieiting the most
perturbation You see it was given to me
as sort of trust. and it wouldn't be right
for me to give it up"
You are an honest codger at any rate
but If you would live five minutes longer,
just tell me what you have got on board.
and exactly where 1t lays"
The sight OF a cooked pistol brought the
old man to his senses and in a depreciai
ing tone. he muttered.
Don't kill me, sir. I'll tell Won all.
We've got forty thousand silver dollars
just fo'ard OF the cabin bulkhead. out Mr.
Deloc didn't suspect that anybody would
have thought of looking for ii there"
Perhaps so" chuckled the pirate while
his eyes sparkled with delight.
In few minutes the pirates had taken
off the hatrelis. and in their haste to get at
the silver dollars they forgot all else; but
not SO with SpiDnet; he had his wits at
work and no sooner had the last of the
VILLAINS disappeared.beneath the hatchway.
than he turned to his boys
Now boys, for your lives. Seth, you
clap your knife across the fore throat and
peak halyards. and YOU. John, cut the
main. BE quick. now, and the momeut
you have done it lump aboard the pirate. |
Andrew and Sam you cast of the pirates
graphing, then you jump.
No sooner we're those last words out Of