Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-06-27
TAKEN BY STRATEGY.
The Dreadful Doom of the Pirates
of Sark.

heard the following story about the
pirates of Sark, which is ono of the
most curious islands in the Atlantic
Ocean. The waves that beat against its
richly colored but inhospitable cliffs
and roar forever in its inaccessible
caves, bristle with rocks and reefs of
many grotesque shape, which mako
the approach to the island exceedingly
dangerous. Tho peril is greatly in
creased by the high tides and furious
currents that rush past tho Channel
Islands, of which Sark is the most re-
markable. The shores Of the little
island are lofty cliffs, steep as walls.
Th6fe is only one possible landing
place; this is shelving beach in a wee
bit of a covc, and the sunnhit''of the
island, where the people live, can only
be reached by steps cut in tho face Of the
cliff, admitting only one person to pass
at time.
The dwellers on Sark are now a peace
able folk, who raise few cattle and
vegetables which they carry over to
the Isle of Guernsey when the weather
is clear and tho sea not too rough
But at one time Sark was held by
band of desperate pirates, who lured
ships on the rocks by putting up false
lights and beacons; or they attacked
them in boats when becalmed in those
uncanny waters, murdered the crews and
struggled tho cargoes into the ports of
France.
This nest of pirates finally became as
pestilent as swarm of angry wasps
disturbing the guests at sumptuous
dinner. 1t threatened to ruin the com
merce of that region. And yet it was
almost impossible to reach the free
hooters, for they had an abundance Of
every thing on the island; and they
could prevent any one from landing
with the greatest ease. In those days,
also, cannon did not carry far enough to
make it possible for fleet to lombard
them from tho distance at which it
would BIO safe for ship to approach the
terrible cliffs.
And yet something must be done to
root out this pest of the seas and make
those waters safe fer merchant ships.
The matter was all the more ticklish
because tho pirates of Sark were per-
fectly we'll aware that they could only
DO vanquished by stratagem, and there
foro would keep their weather eye open
for any attempts to subdue them by
treachcry or craft. Those who should
venture on any such attempt know
we'll, therefore, that they exposed them
selves to tho greatest peril In any UNI
dcrtaking against the desperate sea
banditti of Sark.
And yet such mon were found, mon
who for the common good wore willing
to risk their lives. And this is tho way
they went to work to circumvent tho
pirates of Sark. They fitted out NOR
chant ship with full supply of arms;
they also took large, long-boat for
landing in the surf; and company of
brave and trusty adventurers prepared
with tho utmost GOODNESS to execute one
OF the most hazardous enterprises over
undertaken.
One calm pleasant morning the look
out at Sark discovered o ship heading
for the island, as If with the intention
of making landing. The tidings flew
at once from ono end Of the island to
the other, and produced intense excite
ment. The surprise increased when 1t
became clear that the strange ship was
not a man-of-war, but simple merchant
ship which ono might suppose would
steer as far as possible from tho island.
She dropped anchor less than a mile
out, still moro surprising circum-
stance. But when boat was lowered
and was seen rowing toward the land
ing-place, every member of the pirate
band was filled with suspicion, although
white flag few at tho mast head of
the ship and another waved at the bow
of the approaching boat Tho men in
the boat were also entirely unarmed, as
became evident when they drew near
tho shore.
In spite of all those signs-that what
ever the GRAND of tho strange ship, it
was peaceful-tho bold pirates of SarlS
crowded down to the landing-place
bristling with arms, and ordered the
boat to keep at o safe distance from tho
beach.
What do you want at Sark? Clear
out from here; we allow no ono to
land" cried the pirate chieftain, tall,
handsome Breton from Marlaix, dressed
in bright colored, picturesque garb.
Tho mate Of the strange ship replied:
1--WE are bound southwest, laden with
goods from Flanders. Ono Of our crew
died this morning; he was good Catho-
lie; We wish to bury him in consecrated
ground; unless we 60 far out of our
course there is no such spot nearer than
your holy chap, built by the pious
Bishop Of Dol. All we ask is permission
% land the coffin containing our poor
I coafs iyepd inter it in the chapel. We
will coS1e exactly as you see us, without
arms Of any sort whatever. II you grant
y as this simple request, which as good
Christians you can hardly deny, we
promise to mako You suitable present
OF some of the goods we have on board
our ship"
After some deliberation, tho pirates
werc so impressed by the earnest, con-
fiding manner and straightforward
honesty of these good sea-folk, who
wero so willing to place themselves un.
armed in their power, that they
gave tho desired permission, the
strangers solemnly promising that
they would allow themselves to be
searched on landing.
The boats crew returned to the shiy
in high glee; they hardly hoped for such
success. In anticipation OF the plot