The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-08

| among swamps. 1t was openly understood
| that we should then break up and go and
| squander our proportions Of the spoil and
| this made every man greedy of a little more,
| so that our decision was delayed from day TO
| day. What finally decided matters was a
| trifing accident, such as an ignorant person
| might suppose incidental 10 our way of life.
But here must explain; on only one Of all
the ships we boaried-the first on which We
| found women--did we meet with any genuine
resistance. On that occasion we had twomen
killed and several injured, and II it had not
been for the galla'try Of BallantrGe. We had
surely been beat back at last. Everywhere
Else the defense ,whero there was any at alb
vas what the worst troops in Europe would
nave laughed at; 80 that the most dangerous
part of our employment was 10 Chamber up
The side Of the ship; and have even known
the poor souls on board TO cast us a line 50
lager were they 10 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 a mark
upon their minds; for indeed the company Of
that lunatic was the chief danger in our way
If life The accident 10 which | have re-
ierred was this We had sighted little full
legged ship very close under our board in
haze; she sailed near as well as we did
should be near the truth if said near as i'll;
and we cleared the bow-chaser TO see if we
could bring spar or two about their ears.
The swell was exceeding great; the motion Of
the ship beyond description, il was little won
Ter if our gunners should fire thrice and DO
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 marksnen, their first
shot struck us in the bows, knocked our two
glnners into mince meat, so that we were all
sprinkled with the blood, and plunged
through the deck into the forecastle, where
we slept Ballantrae would have held on;
indeed there was noticing 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 moment they
were all Of one mind; the chase was drawing
away from us, it was needless 10 hold on, the
Sarah was too foul to overhaul a bottle, it
was mere foolery to keep the sea with her;
and on these pretended grounds her head was
incontinently put about and the course laid
for the river. 1t was strange 20 see what
merriment fell on that ships company, and
how they stamped about the deck testing,
and each computing what increase had come
to his share by the death OF the two gunners
We were nine days making our port, so
light were the airs we had 10 sail on, so foul
the ships bottom; but early 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 a 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 II was likely they had recognized the
Sarah. We were very careful, by destroying
every member Of those crews we overhauled.
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 bad been foul apd 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 Ballantrac's had a surprise
IN store for me. He and Teach and il was
the most remarkable step of his SUGGEST 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
II they should hear OF it, and would surprise
himself good deal If it was carried out. ~
Well, here again, be and Teach were of a
mind; and by their joint procurement, the |
anchor was no sooner down than the whole /
crew went of on scene of drunkenness in
describable. BY afternoon wo were a mere
shipful Of lunatical persons, throwing OF |
things overheard, bowling Of different songs
at the same time, quarreling and falling to-
gether and then forgetting our quarrels TO
embrace Ballantrae had hidden me.drink
nothing and feign drunkenness as valued
my life; and l have never passed a day so
wearisomely, lying the best part OF the time
upon the forecastle and watching the swamps
and shickets by which our little basin was
entirely surrounded for the eye A little
after dusk, Ballantrae stumbled up To nv
side. feigned TO fall, with drunken laugh.
aud hslore hs.got his feet again, whispered