The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-05-01
THE PIRATES OF SARK,
BY s. G. W. BENJAMIN.

Wher was in the Channel Islands
heard the following story about the pi
rates of Sark, which is one of the mos
curious islands in the Atlantic Ocean
The waves that beat against its richl,
colored but inhospitable cliffs, and roa
forever in its inaccessible caves, bristlc
with rocks and reefs of manga grotesqut
shape, which make the approach to the
island exceedingly dangerous. The peri
is greatly increased by the high tides and
furious currents that rush past the Chan
mel Islands, of which Sark is the most re-
markable. The shores of the little island
are lofty cliffs, steep as walls. There is
only one possible landing place; this is a
shelving beach in a wee bit of cove, and
the summit of the island, where the PEG.
pie live, can only be reached by steps cut
in the face of the cliff, admitting only
one person to pass at time.
The jewellers on Sark are now peace.
able folk, who raise few cattle and veg.
etables. which they carry over to the Isle
of Guernsey when the weather is cleal
and the 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; OF
they attacked them in boats when be.
Gained in those uncanny waters, MUIR
dered the crews and Struggled the cargoes
into the ports of France.
This nest of pirates finally became as
pestilent as swarm of angry wasps dis
turbing the guests at a sumptuous dinner.
1t threatened to ruin the commerce OF
that region. And yet it was almost i'm
possible to reach the freebooters, for they
had an abundance of everything 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 the distance at
which it would be safe for ship to APP
proach the terrible cliffs.
And yet something must be done tc
root out this pest of the seas and make
those waters safe for merchant ships.
The matter was all the more ticlilish be-
cause the pirates of Sark were perfectly
well aware that they could only be van
pushed by stratagem, and, therefore,
would keep their weather eye open fol
any attempts to subdue them by treach-
cry or craft. Those who should venture
on any such attempt knew well, there
fore, that they exposed themselves to the
greatest peril in any undertaking against
the desperate sea banditti of Sark
And yet such men were found, men
who for the common good were willing
to risk their lives. And this is the wa,
they went to work to circumvent thu
pirates of Sark. They fitted olt mer.
chant ship with full supply of arms
they also took large, long boat fol
lending in the surf; and company O
brave and trusty adventures; prepared
with the utmost GOODNESS to execute ont
of the most hazardous enterprises eve
undertaken.
One calm pleasant morning the look
out at sark discovered a ship heading
for the island, rs if with the intention O.
making landing. The tidings flew a
once from one end of the island to tn,
other, and produced intense excitement
The surprise increased when it became
clear that the strange ship was not a man
of-war, but simple merchant ship, which
one might suppose would steer as far a
possible from the island. She droppet
anchor less than mile out, still NOR
surprising circumstance. But when
boat was lowered and was seen rowin
toward the landing place, every mcmbe
of the pirate band was filled with sus
picion, although white flag few at tn
masthead of the ship and another wave
at the bow of the approaching boat
The men in the boat were also entirel
unarmed, us became evident when the
drew near the shore.
In spite of all these signs-that what
ever the errand of the strange ship, i
was peaceful-the bold pirates of Sar
crowded down to the landing place brist
ling with arms, and ordered the boat t
keep at a safe distance from the beacf
What do you want at Sark? Giles
out from here; we allow no one to land,
cried the pirate chieftain, a tall. hant
some Breton from Marlaix, dressed j
bright colored, picturesque garb.
The mate of the strange ship replied
t'We are bound southwest, laden wit
goods from Flanders. One of our ere
died this morning; he was good Cathd
lie; we wish to bury him in consecrate
ground unless we go far out of OF
course there is no such spot nearer tia
your holy chapel built by the pious Bisho
of DOL All we ask is permission to Ian
the coffin containing our poor conrad
and inter it in the chapel. We will con
exactly as you see us, without arms
any sort whatever. If you grant us tn
simple request, which as good Christian
you can hardly deny, we promise to NAL
you suitable present Of some of Il
goods we have on board our ship"
After some deliberation, the pirat
were so impressed by the earnest, conf,
ing manner and straightforward homes
of these good sea-folk, who were so viii
ing to place themselves unarmed in the
power, that they gave the desired pc
mission, the strangers solemnly promisil
that they would allow themselves to
searched on landing.
The boats crew returned to the ship
high glee; they hardly hoped for 81
success. In anticipation of the plot tn
had planned the ships crew had broug
with them a stout coffin of sufficient 81
to hold large man. After dark
coffin was brought on deck. The
was firmly fixed in its place, and yet
contrived that it could be quickly
tached.
The next morning, the weather ST
continuing fine, the coffin was careful
lowered into the boat and a. flag was re
erently thrown it. The pirates We
all at the landing to await the arrival
this unique funeral procession. Ea
sailor, as he stepped on shore, was cal
fully searched. Relieved to find eve
man of the landing party totally unarm