Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-12-20

among swamps. 1t was openly understood
that we should then break up and 20 and
squander our proportions Of the spoil; and
this made every man greedy Of little more,
so that our decision was delayed FROM day to
day. What finally decided matters was a
trihng accident such as an ignorant person
might suppose incidental to our way of life
But here l must explain; on only one of all
the ships we boarded-the first on which we
found women-did we meet with any genuine
resistance. On that occasion we had two men
killed and several injured, and if il had not
been for the gallantry of Ballantrae, we had
surely been beat back at last Everywhere
else the defense where there was any at alb
was what the worst troops in Europe would
have laughed at; so that the most dangerous
part Of our employment was to Chamber up
the side Of the ship; and i have even known
the poor souls on board to cast us line so
eager were they to volunteer instead of walk
ing the plank This constant immunity had
made our fellows very soft, SO that | under
stood how Teach had made so deep mark
upon their minds for indeed the company Of
that lunatic was the chief danger in our way
of life The accident TO which | have
ferred was this We had sighted a little full
rugged ship very close under our board in a
should be near the truth if said near as i'll;
and we cleared the bowchaser to see if we
could bring spar or two about their ears.
The swell was exceeding great; the motion of
the ship beyond description; it was little won
der if our gunners should fire thrice and be
still quite broad Of what they aimed at.
But in the meanwhile the chase had cleared
a stern gun, the thickness Of the air conceal
ing them; being better rnarismen, their first
shot struck US in the bows, knocked our two
gunners into miuce meat, so that we were all
sprinkled with the blood, and plunged
through the deck into the forecastle, where
we slept. Balkntrae would have held on;
indeed there was nothing in this contretemps
TO affect the mind of any soldier; but he had
a quick perception of the mems wishes, and
it was plain this lucky shot had given them a
sickener of their trade. In a moment they
were all of one mind the chase was drawing
away from us, it was needless to hold on, the
Sarah was too foul TO overhaul a bottle 1t
was mere foolery to keep the sea with her I;
and on these pretended grounds her head was
incontinently put about and the course laid
for tho river. 1t was strange TO see what
merriment fell on that ships company, and
how they stamped about the deck jesting
and each computing what increase had come
W MS slul Z ny lue uthbu Ol lne TWO RllnUeIS
We were nine days making our port 80
light were the airs we had TO sail on, 80 foul
the ships bottom; but carly on the tenth, be-
fore dawn and in light, lifting haze, we
passed the head. A little after the haze lifted
and fell again, showing us cruiser very
close This was a sore blow, happening so
near our refuge. There was a great debate
of whether she had seen US, and, if so, wheth-
er it was likely they had recognized the
Sarah. We We're very careful, by destroying
| every member OF those crews we overhaued
| to leave no evidence AS to our own persons;
| but the appearance of the Sarah herself we
| could not keep SO private, and, above all, of
| late, since she had been foul and we had pur-
sued many ships without success, it was plain
! that her description had been often published
| supposed this alert would have made us sep
arate upon the instant. But here again that
original genius OF Ballantrae's had a surprise
| in store for me. He and Teach (aud it was
the most remarkable step OF his success) had
gone hand in hand since the first day OF his
appointment.
often questioned him upon the fact, and
never got an answer but once, when he told
me he and Teach had an understanding
(which would very much surprise the crew
if they should hear of it. and would surprise