Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-04-11
CHAPTER XIII.

IN THE HANDS OF THE PIRATES.
Immediately on boarding the Arab YES
sci we hove up anchor, set sails and flew
away to sea, with smart breeze on our
port quarter. The ship was queer one,
but it was soon proved that, however odd
in appearance, she was an uncommonly
swift and graceful sailor. She carried three
masts, lateen sails and jib. The fore and
mainmasts were without tops or topgal-
lants, and of course without caps or cross
trees. The long, slender hull was jet black,
and, what was strangest Of all, the upper
deck was sharply convex, with level graf
ings running round the sides. The convex
ity, as afterward discovered, was meant
to make ready way for water to the scrup-
pers, or in times of stress for blood, while
the gratings, by obviating the slant, made
the footing firm, q matter of Importance in
storm or action. She carried no colors, nor
did any inscription, such as ships usually
bear, give hint Of her port or nationality.
Finally, though light, she was well armed.
The vessel was the dreaded Xebec, the ter
ror of the high seas when Algerine corsairs
fourished, and still Of evil repute on the
coasts of Arabia.
crowded on, and beautifully she swept
along, keeling and dipping under the belly
ing sails, the bright green water swishing
from her cleaning sides and the snowdrift
flying from her fore foot in a way that
would have made pleasure seekers dance
for joy. Even I felt the gladness of the
rushing, arrowy motion, though, on the
whole, the speed was more ominous than
inspiring, seeing what doubtful dance
might end the trip.
The Strain of dark uncertainty was some
what relieved by the diversion Of studying
the crew, who were living epitome of the
fashions, past and current of pretty nearly
all the nations of the earth. Probably no
company Of. equal size ever displayed like
variety Of costumes Assuredly nore could
be on more distant terms with tailor and
laundress. twas impossible to say which
gave the greater distinction-the diversity,
the dirt or the tattcrs.
There were Arab shirts reaching to the
ankle, Indian turbans, Syrian combazes,
European jenkins, top boots, jerseys, hats
and frock coats, Persian gowns, breeches of
ali known cuts and countries in every de-
gree of foulness, in every stage of decay and
raH5SGneSS--allJ Julli liDlct lOSeJneTHSIl il Solie
malicious artist had tried what effects of
incongruity and grotesqueness, what out
RACES on taste and decency, he was capable
of achieving.
The captain, rs the chief parsonage on
board, was naturally the most conspicuous
example of the ridiculous He was elab.
orately arrayed in stceplc beaver, strongly
suggestive of the dcfunct missionary in
spite of its iaunty ostrich plume and tar
niShcd silver band; coarse wooden shirt,
smcarcd like n hog in autumn; n lcathern
girdle, from which depended sword, n
brace of pistols and crooked dagger full
OF significant purple stains; Turkish troll
sers that had originally been crimson, but
were now of more hucs than the maker Of
Joseph's coat ever dreamed of; a pair of
red boots that must once have shed their
splcndor on state assemblies and gather.
ings Of grandecs. and sashes enough of va
rious colors to furnish regiment of sheiks.
The decorations were thickcst in the rear.
Indeed when the gallant captain turned
his back it might seem he was clad In pnr-
GUS plasters patched with canvas steereA