The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-24
WAS A REAL PIRATE.
The Death of Skipper Who Was for
Years a Terror of the South Seas.

Years Terror of the South Seas.
News has just come to hand by the re-
cruiting vessel Rio Loge of the death of
one of those celebrities or characters of
the South Seas known as Pirate Martin.
On interviewing Douglas Rannie our rep
resentarve cleaned the following particu-
lars:
II knew Pirate Martin well and often
met him during my travels. He was
looking, handsome man, and had the
appearance more of soldier than a sailor.
He seemed to be always in hot water and
l never met him without he had griev-
ance on hand. Ny first introduction TO
him was 10 dress wound in his chest.
He had been gam bling in traders house
and had large sum of money about him.
While sitting III room adjoining the
store, the store being in darkness, shot
came from the store, and the bullet
ploughed across Martins chest, making a
very ugly wound. The would-be assassin
was the man who managed the store, and
Immediately decamped after firing the
shot But not to be outdone, Martin
brought case of dynamite ashore, and
placing it under the store, threatened to
blow the whole concern sky high ii the
man who shot him did not turn up. The
result was that search party went out
and soon returned with the delinquent,
who was shaking with tear. Martin then
gave him chance of settling the affair
with weapons on the beach, but the trader
was too much of q cur and coward TO
fight, so Martin, whose temper had cooled
down, let him off for consideration.
The next occasion on which l came
across Martin was when l was taking
trip on French schooner, the Dauphine,
Captain Demoselle, my own vessel having
been lost. The only other Britisher on
board the Dauphine except myself was
the mate, Dick Henderson. AS it hap
pened, one fine morning we were close to
Ambrym, when what should run out but
the cutter Constantine, Pirate Martin in
charge. He wanted US to heave TO. and
he ran up the French flag 10 his mast
head, but old DemoseIle would not heave
to, but called his mate 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 the bottle fast to the pigs
head, den bend on the signal halliards ana
run 'em up to the main peak And up
went pig, bottle and all as a reply to Mar
tins signal, and old Frenchy drew him
sell up as he remarked, 'Dere, now, you
tam buccsneer, tell you you Won drunken
pig
old Frenchy scuttle below and sing out 10
the mate, Dick, put on all de sail you
can
Martin was supposed to be trading for
a firm of NoUmean merchants when sail
ing the Constantine. But when he got
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 and he started Tor the islands again.
When the steamer in which he was a
passenger called at Noumea, the French
police got word of his being on board and
went to arrest him, but too late, as Martin
had go: the tip and gone ashore. There
he annexed a boat, took in supplies, and
made for the New Hebrides alone, and
arrived.
my next meeting with him was on the
coast of Aoba. He was then in command
Of schooner called the Black Angel. He
told me then that he was the avenger of
blood. A Mr.. Pana had been murdered
by his native crew. They had looted the
vessel and had left her to drift anywhere.
Some OF them had got 10 Aoba, and now
it was Martins intention to shoot them On
sight, and believe that he eventually car
ried out his intention.
1.-The last saw of the old pirate was up
the river from Port Sandwich, and he had
then turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits. He had a very pretty site for
his house, and on either side he had
plantation OF coffee, with some fields OF
corn and with fruit in plenty. And there
he reckoned he would have a long spell if
left to enjoy life without Interruptions
from the natives. But at last one of those
staggering blades whom you will find
among South Sea Islanders, as well as
whites, made public his intention of pot
ting old Martin. So one day Martin was
entertaining some visitors to dinner when
one OF his servants came and whispered in
his ear.
Martin got up from the table, saying
Excuse me, gentlemen. for a minute,
and, picking up his rife, he went outside. |
He returned In few minutes and sat |
down as if nothing unusual had taken
place. In about an hours time his SER
want again whispered to him. and, as
before, he picked up his rifle and went
out apologizing for his temporary abb
sence. Suddenly a shot was heard and
then a laugh. On going out the guests |
found old Pirate Martin standing with
gun in hand, dying native in his death
struggle on the ground and a chief in
irons bound fast to a tree. 1t seems that
Martin had got notice from his servant of
the arrival OF the chief, had bound him to
a tree and threatened him with death if
the man who bad avowed his intention OF
shooting Martin was not produced. The
victim was sent for and, as Martin re-
marked. well, had the first shot in
Bundaberg Star.