The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-06
PIRATE MARTIN DEAD.
He Was for Years a Terror of the
South Seas.
Something of III, Career by One Who
frequently Met Him.

/
lars:
II knew Pirate Martin we'll and often
met him during my travels. He was
fine looking. handsome man and had tho
appearance moro OF a soldier than sailor.
He seemed TO be always in hot water and
never met him without he had griey-
ance on hand. My first introduction to
him was TO dress "a wopnd I'm his chest He
had been gambling In traders house and
had large sum Of money about him.
While sitting in room adjoining the
store, the store being In darkness, a shot
came from the store, and the bullet plowed
| across Martins chest making very ugly
wound The would be assassin was the
man who managed the store, and he imme-
diately decamped after firing the shot. But,
not 10 be outdone, Martin brought a case
of dynamite ashore, and placing IL under
the store threatened to blow the whole con-
Germ sky high IL the man who shot him did
not turn up. The result was that search
party went out and soon returned with tho
delinquent, v-o was shaking with fear.
Martin then gave him chance of settling
the affair with weapons on the beach, but
the trader was too much of a cur and a
coward TO fight, so Martin, whose temper
had cooled down, let him OFF for q consider
alton.
1.-THE next occasion on which came
across Martin was when i was taking q
trip on French schooner, the Dauphine,
Captain Demoselle, my own vessel having
been lost. The only other Britsher on
board the Daushinc except myself was the
mate, Dick Henderson. As 1t happened,
one lno morning we were close to Am.
brym when what should run out but the
cutter Constantine, Pirate Martin in
charge He wanted us 10 heave TO, and no
ran up the French flag 10 his masthead,
but old Demoselle would not heaye to, but
called his nate and said, Dick, bring de
pig. The pig was brought Now, den,
Dick, bring Won bottle. An empty bottle
then showed up. Now, den, Dick, make
dc bottle fast 20 dc pigs head. den bend on
de signal halyards, and run 'em up to do
main peak. And up went pig, bottle and
all as "a reply TO Martins signal, and old
Frenchy drew himself up as he remarked
"Dere, now, you tam buccaneer, tell you
you Won drunken pig
Martins roply was shot which made
old Frenchy scuttle below and sing oft to
the mate, Dick, put on all de sail you
can.
"We returned In week or two In the
Dauphine 20 Port Sandwich, and there we
found Martin waiting for us. We were all
bad with fever on the Dauphine at the
time. And Martin came on board with a
challenge TO Demoselle to fight him for the
INSULT given when off the coast of Am
brym. But Demoselle was too i'll TO fight,
and the duel was postponed. / was con-
fined TO my bed at the time, but must
say that l never experienced such kind
ness, attention and nursing as received
from Pirate Martin. He brought me every
delicacy he could get from his own ship
and any that money could buy ashore
And through his care and kindness / was
soon able TO be about again. In the mean
time he robbed the Dauphine of everything
he took fancy To. When Demoselle man
aged 10 walk about, one fine day Martin
put bullet through the crown of his hat
at distance of about 20 PAGES, just 10 let |
Frenchy know how near he could go with
out hurting him. He was reckoned about |
the best shot with rifle or revolver to be |
met with about the New Hebrides.
Martin was supposed TO be trading for |
film of Numean merchants when sail |
ing the Constantine. But when he got a |
full ship, he disposed Of the cargo, sold the |
ship and proceeded to Sydney, where he
lived IN quite royal style till the money |
was spent Then the longing came over
him, ana he started for the islands again
When the steamer In which he was pas
scngcr called at Numea, the French police
got word Of his being on board and went
TO arrest him; but too late, as Martin had
got the tip and gone ashore There he an
nexed boat, took in supplies and made
for the New Hebrides alone and arrived.
1.-The next time l met him he was In
charge OF a smart cutter named the Paul
Jones (suggestive name) He was then
lying at anchor off the Rev. Mr.. Morton's
station at Mallicolo. AS usual he was In
trouble. ! boarded him on my way to
coll on Mr.. Morton, and he then called my
attention 60 the state of his dingey, which
/ noticed was all smeared with blood. He
informed ne that a large crowd of natives
had come down 20 the beach near the mis-
sion station, presumably 20 sell vegetables,
etc, so he sent the cook ashore in the dingey
90 buy what no could The poor cook no
sooner touched the beach than the natives
rushed upon hin and hacked him down
with their tomahawks and carried of his
body. BY she time Martin got his repent
ing rifle the natives had cleared away
But presently two appeared on the beach,
and Martin promptly bagged them. He
then made, some of his new crew swim
'chpi' ssiiN bit4k bu tiit tlntCgs Az tnlS |
time Martin was occupied for the most part
ia lodging the men-of-war.
My next meeting with him was on the
,oast OF Aoba. He was then in command
'f a schooner called the Black Angel Ho
iold me then that he was the avenger Of
blood A Mr.. Pana had been murdered
oy his native crew. They had looted the
'essel and had left her To drift anywhere.
some OF them had got to Aoba, and now
{ was Martins intention TO shoot thom on
light and | believe that he eventually
arried out his intention.
The last | saw Of the old pirate was
~ the river from Port Sandwich, and no
Iad then turned his attention to agrioul-
ural pursuits. He had n very pretty site
or his house, and on either side he had
lantation OF coffee, with some fields Of
orn and with fruit in plenty, and there
@ reckonod lac would have a long spell II
'ft To enjoy life without Interruptions
rom the natives. But at last one OF those
wagering blades whom you VIII ind
mong south soa islanders as well as