Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-06-03
FIGHT WITH SEA ROBBERS.
A New Version of an Old Story Abop
Columbus.

new version OF an Old Story About
Columbus.
1t is one of those tales that illus
trate the manners OF this cruel age.
The pirates had long been the scourae
OF the honest Venetian traders. Somb-
times they would disguise themselves
as merchant men trading peacefully
to Gambia for wine and then throw
ing of their disguiseS would prey
upon all around them. No mercy was
shown in these fearful contests. Be-
tween the sea robbers and tho NOR
chants there was lasting and deadly
hostility. 1t was to the pirate class
that the Columbi belonged. and OF all
the corsairs of the day they were tho
most renowned.
The elder Columbus had appar
entity lain in wait in VAIN for the rich
feet that sailed yearly to the North.
But he had son known as Columbus
Junior who followed the same pro
fession and whose true nnme was
Nicolo Griego, or Nicholas the Greek
lie at last succeeded in the pro, oct
which his father had SO long essay cd
in vain. The prize was tempting
one to the bold buccaneers. The
/ Flanders galleys with their freight
! were valued at POO. 900 ducats-pp Dr.
haps two millions of dollars-aud
would have proved an immense fDr-
tune to the captors could they have
retained the spoil.
In 1875 the galleys were equipped
with unusual care We have the lie.
cree OF the senate under which they
set sail. The Doge Giovanni Nj pm
+ cenigo appoints the noble Bartolomeo
Mimic captain, with a salary of goo
ducats. Four great galleys are pro-
vided, and to each captain bou nty
of $500 golden ducats is promised on
their safe return to Venice. This
money was to be paid out of the tax
on the Jews. and calls up anew Shal
, spores unreal pictures it is plain that
the merchants of Venice were tho
, true Shylocks of the time. A med Ical
man was assigned to the fleet; his sal
airy was only nine ducats month.
Minute rules are given for the on.
duct OF the expedition The freight
is to be paid to the state. No dock
loads of tin or pewter ware allowed no
currents nor molasse5 are to be stored
in the hold. Two galloys were I'd go
to London or the English ports tho
rest to Sluys or Bruges On thoir
passage they might touch at Nalac u
and other ports in Spain on their re
turn ship was detached to trade with
the Mohammedans along tho Barbary
shore. The Nenetians were too keen
traders not to find profitable markets
even in the lands of the infidel.
The Columbi or tho Griegos were at
last to seize their prey. They watched
with seven ships -powerful no do bt,
and we'll equipped-of the Spa nish
coast to intercept the feet of Bar
tolomeo Mimic. The commander oil
the pirates was Nicolo Griego, the
son. we are told. OF the elder Column
bus. His father had disappeared from
sight. But with him in tho pirate
ships was another Columbus. the fu-
ture discoverer and admiral of the
Indies.
In his Life" Fernando Columbus
boasts OF his fathers share in this
famous ngagement-famous because
1t led to the settlement of Coluh bus
at LISBON, his marriage and his future
exploits. He was now u man Of a.
least fifty. states Harper's Magazine.
hardened by thirty six years of cease,
less adventure. What position he hello
in the pirate fleet whether as com.
mander or seaman, his son docs moi
tell. we only know that he served
under his relative, Columbus O.
Griego, and that he fought with des
perate energy in the famous sea fgh
: off Cape St Vincent