San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-08

mage, which was in the estuary OF river
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 to our way of life.
But here must explain; on only one of all
the ships we boarded-the first on which We
found women-dd we meet with any genuine
resistance. On that occasion we had two men
killed and several injured, and if it had not
been for the gallantry Of Ballantrae, we had
surely been beat back a. 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 have even known
the poor souls on board to cast us a line, so
eager were thew 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 a 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 re-
ferred was this We had sighted a little full
TlRReu snip very ClOSe OuI DOdi VI III a
haze; she sailed near as well as we did
should be near the truth if | said near as ill:
and we cleared the bow-chaser to see If we
could bring a 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 gumners 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 rnarksmen, their first
shot struck us in the bows. knocked our two
gunners into mince meat SO that We we're all
sprnkled with the blood, and plunged
through the deck into the forecastle, where
we slept Ballantrae 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 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, IL
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 It was strange to see what
merriment fell on that ships company, anu
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, &c
light were the airs we had to sail on, so foul
the ships bottom; but early on the tenth, be-
fore dawn and in a light, lifting haze, we
passed the head. A little after the haze lifted
and fell again, showing us a cruiser very
close. This was sore blow, happening so
near our refuge. There was great debate
of whether she had seen us, and, if so, wheth-
er it 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 ell, of
late, since she bad 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 surprise
in store for me. He and Teach land 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
himself good deal if it was carried out"
Well, here again, he and Teach were of a
mind; and by their joint procurement, the
anchor was no sooner down than the whole
crew went off on a scene of drunkenness in
describable. By afternoon we were 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 | have never passed a day so
wearisomely, lying the best part of the time
upon the forecastle and watching the swamps
and thickets by which our little basin was
entirely surrounded for the eye little
after dusk, Ballantrae stumbled up to my
side, feigned to fall with a drunken laugh.
and before he got his feet again, whispered
to me to reel down into the cabin and seem
to fall asleep upon a locker, for there would
be need of me soon"
l did as was told, and coming into the
cabin, where it was quite dark, let myself
fall on the first locker. There was a man
there already; by the way he stirred and
threw me off, could not think he was much
in liquor; and yet when had found another
place, he seemed to continue to sleep on. NV
heart now beat very hard, for | saw some
desperate matter was in act Presently
down came Ballantrae, lighted the lamp.
looked about the cabin nodded as if pleased,
and on deck again without word. peered
out from between my fingers, and saw there
were three of us slumbering, or feigning to
81 -. IL