The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-06-09
THE PILOTS YARN.

81 thank you, Captain Masterton, y
answered the old, weather-beaten pilot,
Dan Rawlings who had spent fifty of his
sixty years on salt water.
81 was lucky in getting you aboard, u
continued the captain of the Virginia,
heartily, "for this night you have saved
our pretty cruiser from knocking herself
to pieces upon the Goodwin Sands
''It was nasty night, captain, and this
craft is staunch one, or she'd be drift
wood now," modestlv replied the pilot,
and then he continued: ''She reminds
me of a trim schooner / once sailed in
with Captain Egerton, now thirty years
ago, when free hooters were rather plen-
tiful In the Southern seas"
"Ah then you have had some expert
ence with these fellows, have you? but
come into my cabin and l will brew hot
punch, and it may cause you to let run
your tongue tackle in yarn of buccan-
eer times, and the cruiser having let fall
her anchor in a quiet cove, the captain
beckoned to some of his officers tofollow,
and led the way TO his cabin, treating the
pilot with the marked respect his skill
and courage had won during the past few
hours of storm and danger.
Brewing a delicious punch it did un-
loose the tongue of the old pilot, for af-
ter dashing off his second glass, he said
bluutly:
$50 you'd like me to spin yarn o the
days of pirates, captain and gentlemen
A general assent was the reply, and
Pilot Rawlings cleared his throat of the
salt spray, and began:
1T was over twenty years ago, gentle
men, that [ was sailing Captain Egerton
in the Constitution and his business
was private hunting, the Secretary hav-
ing given him a rowing commission to
run off the sea a few ships that always
left red wake after them.
"We had visited the Isle of Pines, and
several other buccaneering haunts, and
had captured several lagoon pirates,
when We sighted schooner which / had
often seen before, and which was known
! to be under the command of man who
answered to the hail of Captain Cain.
''It was said he had once been a Brit
ish naval officer, but had once killed his
brother from jealousy, they both loving
the same girl, and had fled to sea, where
he took the name of Cain, on account of
| his crime; but whoever he was he knew
how to handle a craft in action and in
storm, and got rich off Spanish and Por,
tuguese treasure. ships, with an occasional
dash at an English or French vessel, for
he never robbed an American merchant
man, and always ran from a cruiser fly
ing the stars and stripes, though he'd
fight double his weight under any other
flag.
"Well, we spread our canva5 and gave
chase, but he kept ahead of US well, and
seemingly able to drop us, did not do
SO.
'At length we headed him off so that
he had to run in toward the coast of
Cuba, which he did in style that show
ed us he had often gone in there before,
for he held steadily on and soon disap-
peared from sight in an inlet that pene-
trated into the high, bold coast.
cit was only blowing a three-knot
breeze, but that was enough to knock
our forefoot off, if we struck any of those
numerous reefs | saw around us, so we
shortened sail to just enough to work the
craft, and, going into the foretop, pilot
cd by narrowly watching the water a
head.
''In this way we got into as ugly a
hole as | ever saw, and soon after drop
ped anchor in the inlet, which I was sor-
~ to see was not safe harborage, except
with the wind off shore.
ga dozen lagoons, or creeks, seemed
to run off from the cove further inlet,
and in one of these we knew he must be
hidden; but as it was nearly sunset, we
concluded to wait until morning, vel
knowing he could not run out without
passing US.
81, however, took the gig and rowed
ashore alone, for I wanted TO examine
our surroundings, and landing at pleas.
yunt spot, [ was engaged in looking a
round me, when l was surprised by see,
ing a gentleman approaching me.
''He was dressed in uniform, and was
as pleasant loking man as one could
wish to meet, and politely raised his cap,
while lie said in perfect English
Good evening, sir; You are from the
American schooner, l believer
&c Yes, SIR L answered, wondering
who he was.
And may I ask who is her comman.
der
" Certainly, sir; Captain Egerton.
81 saw him start, and, thought, turn
pale; but he said, pleasantly
"'Present my compliments to Captain
Albert Egerton, and say to him there is
a hurricane threatening, and he had bet
ter put to sea before dark, or his vessel
will be lost IN that cove
''This made me little suspicious OF
his desiring TO aid the pirate and so I ask
ed him.
"'And who might you be, sir?'
+" Tell Captain Egerton that Edward
Herbert SAYS he is in deadly danger where