The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1904-10-20
A THUNDfRB0LT AT SEA


was raksh brig also without move
ment. The brig had crept out from the
coast during the night under the infiu-
cnce OF airs too light TO flare candle.
As was afterward known, she was a
Spanish rover called the Celeste.
The Kangaroo would not have been
put In state OF defense but for the
passengers. Many OF them became
nervous at the sight of the brig. aud TO
quiet them and at the same time exer-
else the crew the guns were cast loose,
small arms served out, and the peaceful
packet was turned into a man-of-war
There was a providence In IT, When
! the stranger saw that he was suspect
ed he threw OF all disguise. or sud
| den his decks were alive with men run
/ ming about, and later ON four boats
were lowered and filled with armed
men. They were coming 10 attack the
kangaroo. They must have known
that she was armed and had a strong
crew aboard, but the pirates OF old
were men 10 take long chances When
the boats left the briggs side we count
cd ffty-twO men I'm all. and Il seemed
as II as many more were left behind.
The black tag was hoisted. and there
could no longer be a question as 70 the
sort OF men we had TO deal with.
The passengers OF the kangaroo TO
man volunteered TO assist the crew,
and we were presently prepared 70
give a good account OF ourselves. We
could note long before the pirates
reached us that they comprised several
nationalities and that they were des-
perate lot The boats divided as they
came on, and when within a mile OF US
the fellows began cheering.
Our first shot was from one OF the
big guns and could not have been bet.
tered. II struck one OF the boats fair
ON the stem and split her open full
length. and Of those not killed outright
only two or three were picked up. The
disaster only made the rnscnls the
more desperate. Raising a yell. the
three remaining boats dashed az US
and were soon ~ close that the big
guns were OF no further use.
We met them with bullets and buck
shot. and we hove cold shot into their
boats as they hooked ON. and no gang
Of pirates ever got harder drubblng.
Although we lost two men killed and
several wounded, not an enemy got
aboard. and only two boats and eight
ten men returned TO the brig.
That night the damaged spars were
replaced, shot holes plugged up. and
there was no reason why we should
not safely make the Cape
when daylight came we congratu-
lated each other over our victory. and
ne captain had just decided 20 make
n sort OF holiday In honor OF the event
when n thunderstorm came racing up
behind us, and i'm the midst OF the
black cloud was the pirate brig. In
stead OF sailing away In search OF
haven or other prey when she had re-
paired damages she had picked mp our
trail and was going to give us another
brush.
Such grim persisteney at first brought
a feeling OF fright. but this soon gave
place to one Of grim determination 10
fight her TO the death and show her no
mercy. When we had her crippled the
night before we could have destroyed
her, but Captain Wilson simply sailed
away He now promised the crew 10
/ sink her II he could, and there was
cheering as the men went 10 the guns.
Down came the black cloud, and with
Il down came the pirate. with his black
/ flag flying. and as he ranged up on our
port quarter az half rifle shot he
opened fire His first shot struck a gun
and killed three men. and his second
wounded FIVE men. Then the storm
broke. the sea increased and, although
the firing continued. no great damage
was done on either side.
Daylight was turned into evening
by the storm There was heavy rain.
with gusts Of wind and the keenest OF
lightning and the loudest Of thunder
Our decks were ankle deep. but every
man stood TO his gun and continued 10
fight As the darkness Increased the
brig crept closer to us and during the
last ten minutes OF the fight one could
have heaved stone aboard Of her.
One saw her In the play of the light.
ming and for an instant could almost
look into the eyes Of the men aboard,
and then for few seconds she would
be lost In the darkness. So terrific
and continuous was the roll OF thun-
der that the reports OF the guns were
unheard. You felt the conclusion along
the deck, but the report was lost in the
war Of the clements.
Loading and firing every gun which
would bear as fast as possible the
Kangaroo rushed forward on her
course and. hanging to her quarter like
bulldog to his prey, followed the
Celeste. or sudden there was
great crash aloft. and down came fore
and main topmasts together The men
were called from the guns to clear the
wreckage. and the ship was In danger
OF broaching to and being swept when
there came such a fash OF lightning as
seemed 10 burn the eyebals This
was followed by a thunderclap which
seemed TO lift the ship out Of the wa
ter, and then fifty pairs Of eyes saw n
great spout Of flame shoot up out OF the
sea. In the midst Of the fame were
masts, yards and sails and flying oh