The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-02-02
LAKE ERIE PIRATES.
BY FRANK \. RR.

Ef FRAN \ \. Aa
 A wea;her-beaten man of firm builc and erect carriage stood looking over ,hs frozen surface of Lake Erie. As he spoke he pointed toward the distance with d ,es;ure of eager interest. for he was re- calling the incidents of the most even,fal day of his life
 Yes, it is true that was captured by pirates once while boating on this lake i, vas a thrilling experience. Our steamer xas named the Island Queen, and in Sep :ember iS6+- she was captured by the rebel raiders who were then engaged in a conspir ,ey to free the confederate pris- oners on Iohnson's Island yonder and in the different camps in the northwest. She was seuuled and sunk within sight ofthi> town when the sun shines. 4 very diff ferent day, this. from the one abou, twenty years ago, when we were taken prisoners and our vessel destroyed.
 On that afternoon, he continued the island Queen left ;h,s Shar. on he. usual trip to Toledo. She ear..ed bu; little freight and only few passengers Ne were to make our first stop al Kelly $ Island to take on about thirty hundred. day men, who were going to our destina- ton to be mustered out. We steamed out past Johnson's Island. where three thousand confederate officers were con- fined. passing the gun-boat Michigan on the way. Off Marble Head Jus. beyond we met the Philo Parsons on her way, as We supposed, to Sandusky. The two steamers exchanged salutes, and the Queen ran on to kelly's Island. where the soldiers oamped, who were all unarmed and most of them unfit for active service We had to wait some time before they came on board, and while we lay al the landing all of us were greatly surprised to see the Parsons run directly out into the lake instead ef heading for her regu- lar destination. Not one of us had the slightest suspicion of the ,ruth-that she was already in the hands of the confed- a,es. We watched her for moment, and xere still more puzzled when she turned back, steamed past the Queen, and pu, into Middle Bass Island. Every one or our boat supposed that something was wrong with her machinery. and that she wished to transfer her passengers to us.
 The soldiers were finally marched on board, and we headed for Middle Bass. |, was growing dusk as we approached the little landing where the Parsons lay and silent as though she had tied up for the night. No, single lightwas shown and only now and then could man be seen on her deck We ran alongside. and yet not word was spoken. She lay flush against the dock, so that we had to make fast to her. When we hailed the crew tc take our rope not man responded ,o lend hand. This was q discouresy SC unusual that we were both vexed and as ,onshed. All attempts 10 ge, word from her proved fruitless. There she lay dark and gloomy in the gathering ;wi- hght, with a mysterious air about hei that every moment increased our per. plexity and wonder. With some diff eulty we made fast 10 her bow: bu, ,hs sserns of the two steamers swung wide apart, with black stretch of water be. tween them.
 Go over 10 the Parsons. and tell the clerk we will take the passengers on i their boat is disabled said l 10 franI Kelly, one of our crew. as soon as wt had made fast. Kelly jumped over to th, other boat disappeared, and did no see him again. waited, expecting d re- sponse: but there was still on the ap- parenily deserted vessel that singular silence, which seemed to grow m ore ana more intense. afterward learned ;ha he rebels were puzzled and somewha nghtened by seeing soldiers on ,ht Queen. Time passes very slowly wher you are in suspense, and don't suppose waited for Kelly more than a m n Re ol two, when took a lantern and waved il m the air to attract the attention of mer could see standing on the upper deca of the Parsons, shouting as did SO:
 What's the matter over there =
 Not a sound came back from there ] then ran forward to Captain Orr of oui boat, and had hurried consulta ton with him as to the 5es, way of tn loading what freight we had for tha point"
 the passengers ashore who are to land.
 They were waiting impatiently neal the rear gangway on the lower deck, ana we as well as they were anxious to get of Tor VIC were much behind time.
 While all this was going on not q word had been heard from the Parsons but net the slightest suspicion crossed any of our minds as to wha, had hap pened. Being greatly puzzled ran on n the rear deck to get some signal from her if possible. stood dumb with aston lshment when l saw that the men on the Rarsons were swinging her life-boat or the davits, and as it vibrated back and forsh were jumping from 1t to the uppel deck of the Queen. was angry at ,heii oolhArdiness, for it was very dangerous There was quite wide space between ths steamers, and the life-boat was high 1T lke air.
 Don't, don't do tha;,' shouted a the top of my voice some of you vii