The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-05-17
THE PIRATES LAST PRIZE.


ates. The FREELY was the fastest cruiser
that had been in those waters for twenty
years; the battery was heavy, consisting
of eighteen twenty -four FOUNDER carron-
AIDES, and two long eighteens in the bow
ports; and with the wind two points free,
she would outsail anything L ever met
with.
After leaving New York proceeded to
Havana, where I laid for some days col
Letting all the information I could, and
at last obtained clew which l thought,
by follwing up closely, might lead to
great results.
The Caribbean sea and waters around
the West Indies were at this time infest.
by gang of scoundrels, under the COM
mand of q most desperate and blood
thirsty man, known by the pane of Capt.
Satan.
It was just at sunset that the look
out, shading his eyes with his hands,
sung out:
"Sail hol'
"Where away ?" demanded the officer
of the deck.
Right under the lee Of that high point
of land, SIR"
We were soon near enough to make out
the stranger. It was tull-rigged brig,
lying like log upon the water, bowling
and dipping her bluff bows into the long,
easy swell OF the tropics. The large,
square stem, and low, flat counter, pro-
claimed her at once to be sugar dro-
CHER.
Thinking, perhaps, she might have
some news to tell us. l determined to
hail her. had our colors and pennant
hoistsd to let him know our character;
and the officer of the deck, putting his
trumpet to his mouth, hailed:
BRIG ahoy!'
"Sir?"
"What brig is that?"
"The Mary Elizabeth" came hoarsely
back.
"Where are you from and where
bound" came through the trumpet.
From Liverpool to Kingston"
"Have you seen any suspicious-look-
ing fellows about here p
II have seen but one sail, sir, and that
was under the land could not make her
out, but thought it was schooner"
directed the officer of thu watch to
inform the skipper that should be near
him all night, rs there might be ugly
customers around. Once or twice i'm
agined l saw the futter of q white dress,
and thought there were females aboard,
but could not make ont distinctly. Edg-
ing off to the wlndward, l let the top
gallant sails and royals slide down to the
caps; and, with the mainsall hauled up,
ran parallel to the brig.
Where is the brig, Mr.. Lacy?"
hnoup ~ LANYARD air and acma dis
lance astern of u.s."
"Ah, yes; think I can make her out.
But bark! Did you hear that? There,
again it is the report of firear ms mingled
with shouts and screams! Hard up, sir!
hard up your helm! Call all hands to
make sail! There is some rascality go.
ing on aboard that brig which l must
have nearer look at"
In two minutes the corvette was head
ing for the stranger. with every rag set
below and aloft that would draw.
"We're boarded by pirates" sung ont
voice, followed by o dull, crashing
sound.
Away there, third and fourth cutters,
away! Be lively, lsds!'
About three cables length to leeward
OF the brig, could see the low hull and
rakish mssts of schooner.
This is our fellow, Mr.. Wentworth. y
l said to the first lieutenant, who was
standing by my side; THAT is the steamer
Scorpion! Clear away the starboard bat
teryl Load with grape! Sail trimmers,
to your stations! Fill away the main
yardr
As the corvette gathered headway, l
gave the order; Level your guns!
Take good AIM" Fire!"
A series OF Jets of fame burst from our
sides, lighting up the waters and away
aloft to our towering spars with their
load of canvas. The ball went kissing
and skipping straight onward to their
work Of death, followed by many groan
and imprecation. which told that our
aim had been true and effectusl
LOAD! Solid shot Run out! One
point sbaft the beam! Fire"
Again we delivered broadside, but
with what effect We could not tell. How
ever, before we could again treat them
to dose of our pills the pirates had got
their craft in splendid trim, with every
stitch of canvas set. and away she went,
hauled by the wind, like a race horse.
Just at this crisis the third and fourth
cutters returned, and were quickly
hoisted to their davits.
The officer in charge reported 10 me as
follows: The brig had been boarded by
q party of scoundrels from the schooner.
and in almost an instant the Mary Eliza
beth had changed hands.
The news WAS soon circulated through
the ship that the pirates had captured q
4. l. IA. u,1