The Savannah morning news., 1903-10-11

Everybody here is willing to fight"
answered the other captain, but you
have neither cannon nor muskets."
Let's all go into the cabin and talk
it over with Nancy. If there's a way
to dodge or beat this pirate she'll
tell us in five minutes"
There was a council of war in the
cabin, and If Nancy didn't preside she
was at least given a chance to state
her views. Her views led up to a plan
which was speedily put into execution
Among the rescued passengers We're
four or five pistols, but these We're not
to be depended on in comparison with
muscle. The women and children
were to remain in the cabin, and ev-
cry able man was to keep the deck
and fight for his life. With the crew
of the Mary Ann" added to the num-
Der of the rescued men there was
total of fifty-four defenders. Can't.
Hopewell he slapped his leg and ex-
claimed:
BY Josh, then. but we'll show that
Teller a Yankee trick, which will null
his eyes wide OPEN
There We're not enough behaving
pins and capstanbars to go around.
and the cargo was preached for good
oak slaves to arm the remainder.
When the pirates fired a gun and broke
out his black flag all but the regular
crew of the Mary Ann sappea red
in the forecastle or leaped down the
matches upon the cargo. Scarcely had
the signal been given to surrender
when the brig was drought to the
wind. Then the pirate shortened sail
to board her. To run alongside was
better than boat work in the opinion
of those cutthroats.S AS their craft
drew near she found only the ordinary
crew of a peaceful trader in sight and
her men grinnedg oyer the easy
capture. When she finally foated
alongside, and made fast a dozen ruff
fans, led by her captain. scrambled
over the briggs rail, and the leader
brandished a huge knife and shouted:
Money! Money! Bring all the
money you have or every one of you
shall walk the plank!,
He wanted money, hut he got some
thing else. Capt. H6Pewell gave the
signal agreed upon, and next instant
the decks We're alive, with men who
were hitting right and1left, and hitting
hard. Taken completely by surprise,
the pirates were panic-stricken. but as
they retreated to their. own vessel the
English captain shouted:
After them, my lads, and drive
them into the SEAL
1t was o. strange fight that followed
AS fast as a pirate was knocked down
his weapons were taken to. use against
another. Every passenger and sailor
fought with a thirst for vengeance
In twenty minutes time tifty-four men,
depending almost solely upon blud-
geons, had defeated a crew of seventy
desperate and well-armed cutthroats
More than two-thirds of the rover's
crew were stretched on deck when
the remainder surrendered. When
they had been secured it was found
that eight of those who had gone
down were dead, and that two of the
Eastern Stars men had been killed
and four wounded. Capt Hopewell had
led one contingent, and the Eng
lishman the other, and their ringing
hattie cries and stout strokes had kept
their men up to desperate work. They
came out of the fray blood-stained
and in tatters, but neither had received
a wound of consequence.
The women and children. who had
been warned to keep to the cabin. re-
NAMED there only until the decks OF
the Mary Ann" were clear of the pi-
rates. Then every soul, even to the
child of FIVE, came on deck to witness
the battle, and, led by Nancy. they
cheered encouragement to husbands
and brothers. who were welding the
stout oak sticks. They were there to
welcome the victors after the fight was
won. and Capt. Elisha kissed his wife
before them all. and rather sheeDishly
by Josh, then. but I jest couldn't
help it,"
1t was a cheaply won victory. The
pirate craft was comparatively new
and well-found, and in her hold was
found plunder to the value of $4,000.
There was enough provisions aboard to
last the English party to London, and
enough sailors among them to man the
prize. Before shutdown the transfer
was made, and she was heading her
course.
Can't. Elisha and Nancy were not
forgotten in the leave-taking. Jewels
and money were offered them on every
hand, but the captain answered for
both by saying:
"By Josh, then, but we've got hearts
and feelings, and we're only sorry We
couldn't do more!'
England had a great hanging day
a few months later when those pirate
thirty-two of them, and every man de-
served his fate. Still later on. the
rover craft and the plumber were sold.
and there are ancient records in Salem
to show that Capt. Hopewell received
a generous share of the prize money.
The Mary Ann was broad off the
Bay of Biscay, when her decks were
NitaiCu VI NilC lGoNutQ PCOPiNs anu
steered a straight course for her port
and reached it without further adven-
ture. The good craft was almost In
sight of Boston again before Capt.
Elisha suddenly looked up from his
chart to say to his wife:
by Josh, Nancy, but I've bin think
in'v'
'Well?" she uueried without lifting
her eyes from the carpet-rags, the last
of which she was sewing together.
You are a wonderful woman
Don't git soft in the head. Elisha"
but We are. You had that dream.
and you suggested that plan to capture
the pirate, and I'll be jiggered if we
amt wuth more'n any thirteen women
in Salient!
Nonsense, Elishal Tend to that
chart or Wen be strikin shoal."
THE brusque way that you refused
to buy Willie knife cut him deeply"