Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-04-11
he'd that could see to mar the enjoy.

shed that could see to mar the enjoy
ment.
BY degrees the combatants drew away
from me, for besides the tendency Of such
battle to spread the ebbing tide was carry
ing the wares out to sea, making it neces-
sary to follow them 1t was clear the last
comers were getting most of the spoil. A
few of the others, dodging and watching
their chance, managed to make off, carry
| ing freight for ballast, but the frequent
trips to and fro between the center of war
and the anchored ship told where most Of
| the plunder was going.
There are no reapers with a tithe Of the
energy and speed of pirates. In spite Of the
| time wasted in useless contention, in spite
of races, captures, somersaults and the
| thousand and one egregious hindrances,
| INDUCED in as might almost appear from
spirit of sheer frivolity, the harvest was
quickly gathered, and very soon the only
| floating objects to be seen were the ship
with her boats near at hand and in the dis
tance other boats running for life with the
| tide.
AS the diversion declined my mind natu-
rally reverted to my own miserable condi-
tion. What was to become of me? Was
to be left to my own devices with strand
ed ship and no commonsP And if so, what
should I do? Should I make my way
ashore and risk the savageness of man and
beast or remain on the brig to await de-
velopments?
While was thus thinking and debating,
boat put off from the pirate ship and came
! toward me. Coming alongside its crew
climbed on board the brig, and judging it
best to be civil received them with a pro-
found salaam and cordial marhaba, or
welcome. 1 might have saved my pains.
Instead Of returning my salutation the
leader came forward with drawn sword,
demanding to know whether there was any
treasure on board and int;mating that if
he caught me in n lie my throat would be
cut on the spot. / assured him that I
knew of no treasure, but invited them to
search for themselves since there might be
secret recesses in the ship that had not
discovered.
''Thor shalt be guide" said the fellow,
land, as thou valuest thy life, true one.
Perhaps thou knowest the taste of steel"
meekly complied, conducting them
faithfully into every corner above and be-
low, for the fear of death gives wondrous
fidelity. They examined very deliberately
as they went along, probing with their
sword ports into dark recesses and sound
ing with the hilts the boards for concealed
chambers, sometimes even kicking furious
" in their fits of chagrin as time passed
and no discovery was made.
Their bad humor showed itself also in an
ugly inclination to hold me responsible for
their i'll luck. They would squirt out angry
the brig, and before / could reply turn
upon me with menaces that more than once
fairly brought my heart to my mouth. One
fellow, muttering that was playing the
innocent just little too much, thrust at
me ferociously with his sword, saying that
if did not wish to be cut in two had bet
ter make clean breast of it. Fortunately
he was not close enough to do damage, and
on my answering him, with fervency that
must have carried conviction to the heart
of stone, that knew no more than he
did, he passed on with curse on my stu
pidity and blindness.
Feeling their way foot by foot and TAX
ing nothing for granted, they went over the
whole interior OF the ship-hold, forecastle,
cabin, officers quarters and all-question-
ing, contradicting, threatening, and every
minute getting more and more frightful
with looks OF disappointment and rage.
My poor belongings they scattered like
chaff, appropriating what they considered
worth carrying away and effectually dis
posing of the remainder by cutting and
tearing it into shreds and then throwing
the rags into the sea- Beside my clothes
they took all my weapons (save a pistol !
had hidden) and all the ammunition they
could find, but by good chance was able
to save my mothers Bible and Duncan's
pipes and Isabel's two punches of white
heather, treasures which, as you may sup
pose, were almost as my life to me. To
this were added some powders and pills
left by Mr.. Watson. The rifing done, I
was peremptorily ordered on deck, and !
assembled alone.
This arrangement puzzled me, ,.but was
soon enlightened In few minutes thin
column of smoke curled up through the
afterhatch; then another rose farther for
ward, then another and another till the
several volumes spread and blended into
thick cloud.
was sorry to see the brig's fate sealed
in this way. We had been friends long,
and she had saved me when there was no
hope. But what could I do to save her?
When the fire had got sufficient hold to
insure it's speedy victory, the incendiaries
reappeared, and one of them pointing with
his sword to the boat alongside growled
that might get in. In an instant was
down and crouching meekly in the bows,
where was likeliest to be out of the way.
The others followed quickly, and we rowed
away, leaving the Bird Of Paradise in
sheet of fame. Almost in the same mo-
ment my company Of rats sprang into the
water and struck out gallantly for the
shore In spite Of fear could not help
giving them hearty 'well done" for fare
we'll