The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-09-11
Pirates of the Chinese Coast.

OF all the dangers that beset the mar |
iner, whether it be from storm, fire, or
the hidden reef, none have such terror
for vessels trading in the Pacific Ocean
as the pirates that infest the Chinese
coast. With ordinary skill and vigi
lance the former dangers may be guard
ed against. and it is seldom that some
one does not survive to tell the tale, but
an attack by these pirates is conducted
with much cunning, treachery and skill,
that if it is successful, it leaves mys-
tery far harder to bear than known
misfortune, for those who watch and
wait for the ship that never returns to
port. Every year adds to the list OF
stately vessels and gallant crews that
leave port forever, and are eventually
placed among the missing. How
many of these are captured and destroy
ed on the China coast can never be
known; their assailants show no mercy,
and the ocean ''tells no tales
The quaint iunks that leave the Chi
nese ports at night-fall are to all ap-
pearance the peaceful traders that they
| profess to be; but if an unprotected yes
/ sci comes in view, the scene changes as
if bv magic; deck loads of merchandise
are thrown into the holds, and cannon
take their place; the crews are marvel
ously re-enforced by men who have been
hidden below, and the former lazy coast
ers Glide swiftly along, propelled not
only by their sails but by long and pow
erful oars.
! The doomed vessel is quickly sur
rounded by the pirates, and eannonaae
soon brings her masts and yards crash,
inc to the deck Her crew may defend
themselves as well as they can, but they
are outnumbered fifty to one. Nearer
close the pirates, who throw rockets and
..iinoals" that leave an unquenehable
fire and Supplying smell wherever
they fall; the defense grows more feeble,
and now, running alongside, the pirates
hoard. and slav all of the crew that may
survive. BY the busy-hands Of the plum
derers the cargo is soon removed, hole
Is bored under the water-llne OF the
captured ship, and as the pirates sal
away. the scuttled vessel slowly sinks
from view, and after weary months o.
. waiting her name is placed on the list o.
, ssmissing.''
;, The pirate coasters repair their dam
: aces. send the guns below, divide th'
;. booty and disperse. If the battle ha
been heard by cruiser, she hastens IL
it's direction and meets with two or thre'
: easy-ooipg traders who are apparent.
unconscious of any such thing as plrac
near them. If any sign of the conflic
4 remains about them. and an eNplanatlol
: is required, some plausible story Is ~
: WAYS ready in which they are represent
: ed as the real sufferers. Complalnl
u against all robbers are intermlxed wit
;, cunningly invented directions to tn
II man-of-war, which is soon IN hot chas
a of an imaginary foe. ;.
IS If caught, these pirates meet Wit
II prompt punishment, which Is alWall
y death. knowing this, they will flgi
1T fercelv. if discovered by man-of-w'
20 while attacking vessel, and many Il
Of stances are recorded where all the men
h bers of a pirate crew have destroye
themselves in preference to an lgnomln
a ous death which they knew they won
us meet if captured.
IN A yoyaoer ON the waters OF the E's
IN often finds it difficult, when he sees Il
We Chinese trading vessels sailing peaceft
e. IL around him, with their gay streaihe
Dis and picturesque sails, and their gon
in sounding salute as his vessel pass
he them. to imagine that many of them a
gh pirates, and that if a suitable opportnm
we're offered them to make an attae
wv the vessel he is on would never see pc
,rt aoain. But if he should happen to L
m aSine such thing, his fears would pre-
,rs ably be well founded, for the records
a the Chinese coast service are filled w
ITO accounts of vessels which have been
10 tackled and destroyed by pirates Il
nd were cruising about in the gulse Of j
o. such Misunderstanding traders as he s.
nd about him.-st. Nicholas for Septena6