Connecticut western news., 1892-01-21
THE LABRADOR PIRATE.

For years the deep and tortuous and great bays on the Labrador coast afforded safe haven to bloodthirsty pirates and overs of ti.e seas. who, driven by hot pursuit from more frequented waters, epaired to this northern shore to mend heir shattered vessels. Here, during he short summer, they recovered from .heir wounds; here, too, they secreted ;heir booty; here, perchance, the long ought treasure of Captain Kidd may be, hidden. Who can tell what secrets are leld forever iu the recesses of these Savebeaten and rockboand shores? Wondrous traditions are told of hidden wealth op Labrador, and that these are not all old mems tales this true story of Manning may convince the reader:
 Toward the close of the Eighteenth century Scotchman named Manning settled on the Labrador coast, and alone and unaided followed the rough and precarious calling of fisherman. At the close of each season he visited New soundland to dispose of his catch to the English traders, buy his stock of provi- nons and then return to his lonely dwell ng to pass the long and dreary winter. For several years he led this life, till by his economy having amassed n few hun fred dollars q great longing seized him 70 see his native land. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic, and during the round of visits to his Scotch friends he met bonnie lass. whom he persuaded ,o share his Labrador home. Fitting mt small vessel or schooner, he set udl for A,aerica with his young bride md crew of hardy settlers and their families. This was in the year 1906.
 But after twelve months of industry at Labrador Manning grew restless and persuaded the most active and daring spirits ill those parts to join him in d new project. Toward the latter part of October, 1907. he placed his effects on board his vessel and quietly slipped out of the harbor, determining to lead a life of piracy. All his old habits of thrift and industry seemed to have left him, a very demon of adventure seemed to have driven out his better feelings and wiped put all natural affection, for-with heart less cruelty ne basely deserted his wife and young child. A stranger in n strange land, far from home and kindred. the fate of the unfortunate woman is not known; most probably she did not sur vive her cruel treatment long.
 On the coast there is now a small set clement called Mutton Bay or Meccatina Harbor, and about mile east of this settlement is deep inlet called by the French "L'Anse aux Morts'' or Bay of the Dead. This bay is screened alike from the fury of the sea and the obser- vation of passing vessels by small island which is easily mistaken for the mainland. Under the rugged and frown- ing cliffs which overhang the Bay of the Dead, so called because an old burying ground was there. Manning and> his companions landed. Securely sheltered, there they perfected their plans for life no spot could be more admirably adapt ed for such conclave.
 The course taken then by vessels on their way to Quebec from Europe was through the Straits of Belle Isle, close to the north shore of the St. Lawrence, and just outside of the island behind which Manning and his crew lay in hid ing. At that date a packet was sent out annually by the British government with the pay of the forces stationed in Canada on board. Manning knew this only too well, and was on the lookout for the vessel. Unsuspicious of danger, with his ship darted suddenly from his place of hiding and swooped down upon her. She fell an easy prey. Her unfor- tunate captain and crew were butchered, the treasure removed, the vessel scut- | tied, and no trace of the foul deed left. At Quebec the overdue ship was anxious | ly looked for, but hope died out at last, and it was thought that she had sue culnbed to the fury of the Atlantic. The following year another packet was sent ! out, and she shared the fate of her pre- decessor.
 The loss of two vessels and their crews in such short time aroused suspicion, and third was sent out, but with her a man-o war. All went we'll till the vicinity of the Bay of the Dead was reached, when, the man-of-war having fallen far astern, the pirate schooner darted out, quickly captured the packet, secured the treasure, and destroyed all the crew with one exception. This was a negro, whom Manning wished to keeI for 2 servant. This man, hoping to pro. pitiate his captor, told him that the man. of-war was close behind them. The news so alarmed the pirate that he beat precipitate retreat to the island. That night another dread crime was added tC tine long Inst already committed by the bloodthirsty wretch. Fearing discovery and believing in the adage that deat men tell no tales, he changed his mine about the negro. He resolved to bury his treasure, and, under cover of blind ing storm, while the thunder rolled ani the lightning cleft the sky, he collected
 his i'll gotten gains into five small casks
 With the assistance of the negro h.
 placed them in as many holes dug in th
 old buryins ground of the Bay of tn
 Dead. Having accomplished this h.
 suddenly sprang on the unfortunate ne
 gro and plunged a knife into his heart
 As the life blood slowly ebbed away h
 twisted the limp form of his victim
 around the central cask. At this drea
 moment tho old Scottish superstitious na-
 ure asserted itself, and he believed tha, he "wraith" of the negro would keer
 yuard over the treasure, preventing any
 adventurous outsider from unearthing it. He then heaped up the earth over the
 i've casks in the form of graves, judging
 that no French habitant, whose rever
 ,nce for the dead is proverbial, would