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

1t was at the moment when anticipation va,
at its highest pinnacle of dread, and all wert
standing nervously wondering what was to b<
the result. when the voice Of our captain, heard
from above, announced his return to our YES
sei, while call from one Of tho pirates mer
summoned him to the deck The captains safe
return was good omen, and though we wers
still in state Of terrified anxiety, still We wers
not in the same dire despair
=, IL appeared from our captains statement
that the real leader Of the band was lyinQ
wounded on board his own vessel; that one oil
his objects in boarding the schooner had been
to ascertain whether his wife was on board, q
into becoming his bride few months previous
The marriage had been solemnized at Mobile
with the strictest privacy, but some events
transpiring soen after had revealed to the Door
girl the nature Of her husbands pursuits, and
with natural horror at the discovery she had
sought refuge from him by returning to her
sister protection. Our captain had found the
outlaw husband lying extended upon a couch,
anxiously awaiting his appearance. His face
wore look OF agitation. while his hurried
manner betrayed how deeply his wounded con-
dition annoyed him. and the desire he felt OF
ending an interview which was momentarily ex-
posing his weakness to the scrutiny of a
stranger. Having satisfied himself with re-
gard to his inquiry, and being satisfied as to
the captains ignorance in all that related 70
his lost wife, he had ordered him to be sent
back to his own ship.
From what further the captain had been able
to ascertain it appeared that the pirates were
lying In wait for brig with a cargo of great
value, and while in momentary expectation of
her coming had fallen in with another vessel,
which had been captured and scuttled. In this
encounter their leader had been wounded. be-
sides some of the best and bravest men being
lost, while the unfortunate crew had been to a
venge. Fears were awakened as to the success
OF the intended enterprise. and to this circum-
stance was to be attributed their pacific inten-
tons toward ourselves.
Providentially for us at the moment of our
captain being restored the expected brig APP
of the pirate heard through every portion OF
the vessel. Again his heavy footsteps rever-
berated from the deck, but now it was 70 re-
call his men, and Fastening down the schoon-
ers side. with a demoniac burst of Joy, they
grasped their oars and began pulling for their
sloop
At the cabin window, with that deep feeling
of thankfulness poweriess of expression.
Emily and | stood gazing upon the exciting
scene. while the other passengers and the
schooners crew thronged the deck to witness
the pirates departure. 1t was a scene of
thrilling interest. and the deep feeling per-
vading the breast of every individual present
was expressed in a silence more eloquent than
words. But When the marauders had regained
their vessel wnen, having raised aloft their
flag. the sloop was seen Swimming with the
lightness of bird through the deep waters,
then a Spontaneous burst of gratitude to the
Almighty for our deliverance broke from the
lips of all.
The wind having shifted. WAS now blowing
from a favorable quarter, so that the schooner
was soon under weigh. The unfortunate brig
was not slow in perceiying her danger, for she
soon was seen with ali her canvas spread flying
at her topmost speed. but the sloop from her
superiority in sailing fast gaining upon
her. Onward they went until the brig had dis
appeared. and the sloop containing the dreaded
buccaneers. uader whose frown We had 80
lately trembled. had again dwindled into the
same small speck she had appeared on the cap
tain first discerning her.
Not many months had expired ere the news
papers gave the information that six pirates
had beer hung for their crimes at Charleston.
:. [. by their confession we learned the fate
OF those in whom we felt SO much interest
The captain Of the brig had nobly defended his
vessel but outnumbered by the pirates. had.
after dreadful struggle, yielded. He had
been roasted alive; ell had suffered torture ere
death pnt period to their sufferings. The
brig had been newly painted, carried into port.
and herself and cargo sold. This. my dear
daughter, Is as clear an account 1 can give
you of my adventure with the pirates