The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-02

and had been a devoted follower of the
fortunes of the intrepid pirate in all his
exciting and varying career, and had
never deserted the dark flag of that leader
until he sank in death upon the deck of
his vessel, fighting against the overwhelm-
ing odds of a British sloop of war that
had attacked him in the waters of the
Gulf of Mexico when he had again return
ed to the life of a robber rover of the sea,
after the pardon of the President had re-
stored him to citizenship, and removed his
disabilities, enabling him to enter upon an
honorable and useful career, of which the
possession of superior talents and abili-
ties eminently qualified him if he had been
so disposed.
The writings left by Napier indicated
that he not only idolized the pirate CHER,
but regarded him as hero of remarkable
valor and ability. He called him the Ma
poleon of the Sea-" and eulogized his
courage and indomitable will as dis
closed in a series of naval combats When
but 20 years of age he was in command
of a small vessel with only two guns and
sixteen men, yet he attacked an armed
schooner, carrying twenty-six l2-pound
guns and manned with $50 men, ana IN a
brief but decisive struggle captured the
big vessel and made all the crew prisoners
with the loss of seven men. Setting all ms
prisoners ashore on the coast of Bengal.
he continued to cruise about in the wa
tiers, plundering every vessel he met, ana
increasing his followers until he had $50
men under his command. He then sailed
for the coast of British india when ne rell
in with the Quenn, East Indianman, armed
with forty large guns and crew OF 4OO
men. LATTE conceived the bold project Of
getting possession of this superb ship, be-
lieving that if he could secure control of
il he would be master of the sea. Never
was there a more unequal contest on the
water. The giant proportions OF the Dig
shin. in comparison with the puny pri-
yateer, made it possible for the COLOSSAL
vessel to run over its tiny opponent and
crush il out of SIGHT. But LATTE addressed
his men and filled them with the same ar
dor that animated his spirit, and then
noansuvering his vessel so as to enable
hin, tn rush alongside of his huge antago-
mist he darted for his foe. So unexpected
was this mode of attack that he had got
under the mouths of the big guns as they
belched forth a broadside that passed over
the heads of the pirates who instantly pc
gun hurting bombs and grenades ABOARD
the big ship that scattered death and de-
struct{on about it's decks. All was confu-
sion and. taking advantage of the con-
sternation that existed among the sur
I,rised crew of the Indianman, Laf1tte gave
tba command to board the ship, and his
trained men, with daggerS held between
their teeth and pistols in their hands,
oItr,hed IN the sides and onto the deck
~ the onposing vessel, yelling like demons
and cutting and shooting at every one
within reach. Lafltte leaped at the cap
tsin with the fury of tiger, and a hand
to-band struggle ensued, but the Hthe
,,o,,no Frenchman was too much Tor the
brrlv Fnglishman, and he fell before the
rayid strokes of the pirates sword. Inc
destb of the captain was followed by
,,anic and the pirates. having seized sew
49, p'.ai Guns on the ship loaded with grape
shot reversed their muzzies ana turheu
them against the frightened crew.
lrba Surviving officers, deeming resist
- useless. surrendered, and Lahtte'
with feelings Of humanity, ordered ms men
~ cease their carnage, and at once as
sS,,,1sd command of the coveted snip. Inc
1t,-as of his prisoners were spared, and as
.oo, &c II could be done, he transferred
s So 70 the smaller ship and, removing
49, he desired to retain aboard his new
''dlsel he sailed away with his prize:
N1as9tar,s napers stated that he received
.,,-d wounds in this unequalled eompat ana
did not recover for months; o,,,aoa
This unparalleled exploit resources 1t'l
.,,rn,,gb the commercial world, ana the
' ~, of LATTE became terror OF Eng
iiet commerce in that latitude. Armed ana
a7,,,,nad as he became by this capture
~ daring nitrate increased his force 10
lI l.e,. zoo men. of all nations and colors'