The true Democrat., 1898-07-23
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|: SAVED FROM PIRATES,
A TALE OF THE SPANISH MAIN.

] TALE OF THE SPANISH MAIN.
O~@ ~~~~ 40 ~~~G
In the beginning of the present cen.
tury the Gulf of Mexico swarmed with
pirates, preying on the commerce OF
every nation. One has only to refer
TO the newspapers previous to 1926 to
recognize how great were the perils OF
seaman's calling in those days. Ships
disappeared at times with their officers
and crews, and it may be years after
that some desperate sea rover brought
to the gibbet told the story of capture
and destruction. The worst locality
IN the West Indies was the south side
OF the Island of Cuba. Here lies the
Isle OF Pines and succession of low
keys that afforded the pirates excel
lent opportunities for concealment
All merchantmen went armed in those
days, but the pirate schooners, carry
ing one heavy 24-pounder, could cut o
Yessel's spars to pieces and thus make
her defenseless.
in 1924 an English brig from Ja-
malca, bound home, was taken off St
Antoine, her crew massacred and the
vessel beached on the coast of Cuba,
der cargo was valued ut over 5000
600. The British government started
an investigation, and it was found to
be the work of Spanish Irishman
named Cain, who had fast topsaiI
schooner called the Esmerelda, with n
crew OF 200 men of all nationalities,
among them two Philadelphians
named Brent and Supplee. 1t was also
found that in disposing of the plunder
q Spanish coast guard vessel had con-
veyed most of it to Havana for sale
and that many Spanish officials were
interested in the affair, getting o share
Of the plumber.
The British government went for
'he Spaniards in o very vigorous man
ler, demanding indemnity for the
past and security for the future. The
'Panlards yielded and agreed to equip
force to cruise on the south coast
ma search the keys for marauders.
last sailing brig of war, Ell Toridor
arrylng ten guns, was put in com.
nlSslon, under Captain Hermann. He
'as a fine sailor and an honest man,
nd soon made it very unpleasant for
he pirates about the Isle of Pines and
ago Largo. At this time the United =
tates had a feet of small vessels
oing police duty in the gulf, one of
hlch, the Enterprise, commanded bv
lieutenant White, was very active and i
ad captured several pirate craft and 8
1t up their crews. It was on the -
'me station as the Toridor, and ar Y
'nged with Captain Hermann to co. . .
'erate with him, and if in want of n
SlStance at night to show light at G
e malnmast head as o signal. "
Information hal come 10 the q
'anlsh captain that a consort of the Il
,,m,ereIda,a y, very fast sailing schooner II
LED the Bonita, commanded by Al
gro named Pinto, would try and get g 81
TO the Largo Key at night. She N
q been on a cruise away south and m
IS reported full of plumber. The
gro captain was bloodthirsty ruff in
n about 80 and was badly wanted b(
the Spanish authorities, as he had hi
Lrdereda a brother of Captain General th III
lylz IN one Of the raids ashore. So ~ m
IGrldor lay out about three miles fn
ay from the pass between the TsIa ba
Pines and Cayo Largo, tossing and pe e
wing and keeping her copper bright 90 90
Ter short sail. 1t was said by Eng Ia
captains in those days that YOU F.
mt make Spaniards fairly good Sea. to,
D. but 1t took constant hazing to he
ie them stand a decent watch. No -, ~ y
ner was the watch set than one-half '';
1t to sleep and the other half to roc
cards and gamble, leaving the ver M
} to itself. Such must have been oU, w,
case on the Toridor on this night Im 1tm'
lie 10th of August, 1922 Even tho tn
ohcers on the quarterback were mi
n8 while the captain was below 9TH
ep. The man at the wheel was Il T .
only one on the alert. Suddenly ion ~ !"
| the northwest came bright fash nov run
then the boom of a gun and q a";, p"y
whlstIed through the rigging, and 80 $lt {
a cry from the helmsman, "Ibov, %L,' %1"'
e; here's two boats alongside " ~ taUt t.U
those days muskets were kent t1 t1n
cks under the break of the poop fort f
head, covered with tarpaulin' and ;s ;O, y
boarding pikes..w lashed to the fron 70 "
BOOM 10 these the startled crew sooi :O,
ed and the sides were alive with '00'
coming aboard yelling, "KilI
There is no want of COURAGE a.
lg sraniards, and the crew fought VI
erately. The captain was on deck ,oon rOun
IL once sent man f. the mast tLan s
to light the signal lantern, and tnn sneal
his officers and marines pitched tIn n9 !
ut the shore party had got first dne JaSll
and they fought like tigers 9"l S "A
the heavy shot from Ca biz "aioS "ah"
ner not over 300 yards awaT Jo1 Jo,G'
fast The Toridors retrcatcd TO o%a1 c"a y
uarterdeck aud encouraged by 1l,"o Ama