The Worthington advance., 1879-11-06
Pirates Of the Chinese Coast.

mariner, whether it be from storm. fro
or the hidden reef, none have such ter
rors for vessels trading in the Pacific
ocean ~ the pirates that infest the
Chinese coast. With ordinary skill and
vigilance the former dangers may be
guarded against, and it is seldom that
some one does not survive to tell the
tale, but an attack by these pirates is
conducted with such cunning, treachery
and skill that, if it is successful, it leaves
. mystery far harder to bear than a
known misfortune for those who watch
and wait for the ship that never returns
to port. Every year adds tc 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 de-
stroyed on the China coast can never be
known; their assailants have no mercy,
and the ocean tells no tales"
The quaint junks that leaves the
Chinese ports at nightfali are to all ap-
pearances the peaceful traders that they
profess to be; but if an unprotected ves-
sci comes in view the scene changes as
if by magic; deck-loads of merchandise
are thrown into the holds, and cannon
take their place; the crews are marvel
ously reinforced by men who have been
hidden below, and the former lazy
coasters glide swiftly along, propelled
by not only their sails but the long and
powerful oars.
The doomed vessel is quickly sur
rounded by the pirates, and a cannon
ade soon brings her masts and yards
crashing to the deck. Her crew may
defend themselves as we'll AZ they can,
but they are outnumbered fifty to one.
Nearer close the pirates, who throw
rockets and "jingals" that leave m un-
quenchable fire and stupefying smell
wherever they fall; the defense grows
more feeble, and now, running along
side. the pirates board, and slay all Of
the crew that may survive. By the
busy hands of the plunderers the cargo
is soon removed, hole is bored under
the water-lne of the captured ship, and,
rs the pirates sail away, the scuttled
vessel slowly sinks from view, and, after
weary months of waiting, her name is
placed on the list of missing"
The pirate coasters repair their dam
ages, send the guns below, divide the
booty and disperse. If the battle has
been heard by cruiser, she hastens in
its direction and meets with two or
three easy-going traders who are ap-
parently unconscious of any such thing
as piracy near them. If any sign Of the
conflict remains about them, and an ex-
PLANTATION is required, some plausible
story is always ready in which they are
represented as the real sufferers. Com
plants against all robbers are inter-
mixed with cunningly invented direc-
tions to the man-of. war, which is soon
in hot chase of an imaginary foe.
If caught, these pirates meet with
prompt punishment, which is always
death. Knowing this, they will fight
fiercely. if discovered tya man-of.war
while attacking vessel, and many in
stances are recorded where all the men,
bers of q pirate crew have destroyed
themselves in preference to an igno-
minious death which they knew they
would meet if captured.
A voyager on the waters Of the East
often finds it difficult, when he sees
the Chinese trading vessels sailing
peacefully around him, with their gay
streamers and picturesque sails, and
their gongs sounding a salute as his
vessel passes them, to imagine that
many Of them are pirates, and that, if a
suitable opportunity were offered them
to make an attack, the vessel he is on
would never see port again. But if he
should happen to imagine such Il thing,
his fears would probably be well found
ed, for the records of the Chinese coast
service are filed with accounts of ves-
sells which have been attacked and de-
stroyed by pirates that were cruising
about in the guise of just such harm.
less-looking traders as he sees about
him.-St. Nicholas.