The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-05-28
THE PIRATES OF SARK,
BY s. G. W. BENJAMIN.

When / was in the Channel Islands |
beard the following story about the pi-
rates of Sark, which is one 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 make the approach to the
island exceedingly dangerous. The peril
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 peo-
pie live, can only be reached by steps cut
in the 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 veg.
etables, which they carry over to the Isle
Of Guernsey when the weather is clear
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; or
they attacked them in boats when be-
calmed in those uncanny waters, MUIR
dered the crews and smuggled 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 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
inough to make it possible for a feet to
lombard them from the distance at
which it would be safe for a ship to APP
proach the terrible cliffs.
And yet something must be done to
root out this pest of the seas and make
those waters safe for merchant ships.
The matter was all the more ticklish 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 for
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 way
they went to work to circumvent the
pirates of Sark. They fitted out mer-
chant ship with a full supply of arms
they also took large, long-boat for
landing in the surf; and company of
brave and trusty adventurers; prepared
with the utmost GOODNESS to execute one
of the most hazardous enterprises ever
undertaken.
One calm pleasant morning the look
out at Sark discovered ship heading
for the island, as if with the intention of
making a landing. The tidings flew at
once from one end of the island to the
other, and produced intense excitement.
clear that the strange ship was not man
of-war, but a simple merchant ship, which
one might suppose would steer as far as
possible from the island. She dropped
anchor less than mile out, a still more
surprising circumstance. But when
boat was lowered and was seen rowing
toward the landing place, every member
of the pirate band was filled with sus-
picion, although white flag flew at the
masthead of the ship and another waved
at the bow of the approaching boat.
The men in the boat were also entirely
unarmed, as became evident when they
drew near the shore.
In spite of all these signs-that what
ever the errand of the strange ship, it
was peaceful-the bold pirates of Sark
crowded down to the landing place brist-
ling with arms, and ordered the boat to
keep at safe distance from the beach.
"What do you want at Sarkl Clear
out from here; we allow no one to land,
cried the pirate chieftain, a tall. hand
some Breton from Marlaix, dressed in
bright colored, picturesque garb
The mate of the strange ship replied:
"We are bound southwest, laden with
goods from Flanders. One of our crew
died this morning; he was a good Catho-
lie; we wish to bury him in consecrated
ground, unless we go far out of our
course there is no such spot nearer than
your holy chapel built by the pious Bishop
of Dol. All we ask is permission to land
the coffin containing our poor oomrade
and inter it in the chapel. We will come
exactly as you see us, without arms of
my sort whatever If you grant us this
,imnle request. which as lnnd GhIistians