Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-27

WHEN A LITTLE GIRL WAS VERY
fond Of listening to the stories told by
my mother Of the various events in her most
eventful life. Her memory was remarkable,
and she would repeat these "tales Of the long
ago In such a manner as to make them in
teresting. Among these none interested me
more than the account of her adventure with
the pirates, and SO 1 asked her to write it all
out for me that might read it after she had
passed away from the earth life. found the
following among her papers, and am sure it
will interest the readers of The STAR,
Yours, most sincerely,
OLIVE OLDscHooL.
1t is pleasant to the aged to recount even the
dlsagreeable scenes of the past and SO here
give AS faithful a delineation as memory will
permit OF my encounter with those marauders
of the seas the pirates
For several years after the late war with
England the Gulf of Mexico and the West In
Dian seas were greatly infested by these enc
mics OF mankind. Many were the crews MUIR
dered and vessels robbed in their passage be-
tween the West Indies and the United States,
aud between New Orleans, Mobile and the
northern parts of the Union. The piratical ves-
sells at length became so numerous and their
outrages OF SO daring q characters as to call unon
strong arm of protection of our commerce and
those on board our ships. A squadron was ac-
cord1ngly fitted out ana pursued these bandits
OF the seas until the ocean was finally cleared
OF them and safety once more secured to our
mel chant vessels.
1t WAS in the beginning of the spring of 1919
that left Mobile in n schooner bound and
frelghted for New York. Our passengers con-
sisted principally of merchants, Young men
who had emiSrated from the north, and were
now on their return for the purpose of obtain
ing supply of goods suitable for sale in the
south
The schooner had proceeded the first part of
ner voyage In safety. and was lying becalmed
IN the gulf. our captain anxiously watching
for favorable wind. when he perceived a
sail looking like mere speck in the distance.
Inc yoang men had thrown themselves down
IN weary hStlessners. some half doing. others
la2lly watching the sea. others reading to
while away the tedious monotony of the hours
In The cabin was girl Of twenty. with NV
self; she, poor girl, had gone south. vainly
hoping to arrest the progress of that terrible
disease. consumption, and was now returning
10 her early home with but one sad hope that
OF being permitted to breathe her last sigh upon
the bosom of her mother.
BOARDED by PIRATES
An unusual! commotion on deck attracted our
attention. Men were running to and fro talking
loudly. and at the same time we could hear the
voice of the captain issuing orders. We were
not long left 10 doubt as to the cause of the
excitement. for in few moments the passen-
gers came flying down the cabin stairs giving
the alarming in teiligence OF the schooner aboUt
being boarded By pirates.
All that had read or heard related of .b.so
lawiess men arose In vivid characters: their reck-
lessEess, barbarity and crimes of a thousand
dives flashed athwHrt my memory and | stood
the image OF DESPAIR. The capraip touchcS h,
ON, ,,istross WIFI ,,r,os,ns -. 4, ~ ~. =.
friend and mv.elf flat he wo1Id DO al ;,,,h;.
his power to aid and protect n. Wbije he uos
endroxori,y to ossr,.,o on Irn, ,ha ns va
came on board. " ''' i'-A'e'
The apncarnnce of tho hand ,r.s o,,o,,ct .,
cause the s,outest hears IN nnoI 6ressc'i i; ~
buckskin. fitted closely to the fpure with n
broad leather .trap or rir,Iie rronnS tho ,rn;.,
into which ,he various w.anous of their direfui
warfare were thrust. thev sprang on board
with drawn .wur,l. in one hand and nistoI. in
'ue o'her. iheir Deards, mustacbes and inpe-
and VII, n to thee we're added fsces JisaniSei
with paint of dark red color Won can imagine
the horrible effect their presence produced
I1cihs ms men IN "A position to prevent
s", iriSe 'Le iender OF the band entered the
caoin. ror an instant he stood erect. scanning
'nc efrlIied couhtehahees before him, then
m ',, anu placing MS napier and pistol
upon ,he r"ple. WIN DO" when might have
grace ,,i a .neseerneiu he seated himself beside
~. his inquire was commanding ana gracefully
IropofI'ionea'' ms features many might have
l''"u'oi'.. were =, ho' Ior sinister
e.p ioss'oH upon 'ne1n; MS eyes were oiack:
'eii anu piercing. Al, 'ha. may DC conceived
a ',. ueon , Ias eu,ooa,ea IN .nat terrible eye.
s,al'. ~. II, nose sa.ase FEATURES was enough to
s,.n .no penouei iha' tueir expression never
soa.eneu ueueaN tne oehisn influence OF
h hoy. ouoh was .he man peiore whom the
. tnpJss o"'SenserS anu ere" STOOD ana
i.niolou.
..T1,;s s.,ns 81 rne una, l,a'e ne saiI:
ms ,cssei irohi hoole' nave you specie
VI, Doaru!
H., a.. 49, o"PU.i" might oe''er answer that, re-
p',ea 'no nl"'e
na suPpose uoa choose 10 walt LOT his
.ss ro, " "aaa ne ,, sIasping MS PISTOL
you piease' 'ne mate repheo:
No oa9o!lhs OF WORDS Win me, the pirate
. .nunaetea .or.n, unless you want bullet
'n'ousn your oraihs
THE MATE WAS BRAVE.
rbo.. 3, s,,o.,; A.,
n'0 ' e'iie'nins III INC presence OF