The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-04-06
On the SpanishMain
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VII S1ACSPd1AAS4AIAu1Il
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About century and a half ago e
young Spantsrd, Don Jose Clemencin.
q gentleman of Madrid with adventur-
GUS tastes, enlisted on the schooner
Libertad (Liberty), that had fitted out
at Cadiz to prey on English commerce
on the Spanish main. During the cruise
the war between the two countries end
I'd, and Captain Demonio who COM
manded the vessel, decided to turn
pirate. He announced his intention to
the crew and offered to land any of
them who did not wish to Join In the
enterprise on one Of the Bahama is.
lands, but SO many of them requested
to be put ashore that he ieconsidered
his proposition and forced them to re
main and act as pirates
Jose Clemencin, who belonged to one
Of the first families IN Spain, was up
palled at being obliged to turn pirate.
he was a brave man. but knew that
II he 80 much as lifted finger for
resistance he would be murdered. He
therefore determined to biGe his time,
convinced Demonio that he was with
him heart and soul and secretly became
the leader Of those who were forced
to be pirates against their will.
One Of the first vessels captured was
an English ship, lured to destruction
by Demonio, since her captain, suppos-
ing Demonio did not know that the
war had closed and that he could con-
vince him Of the fact, made no defense.
The Br1ttsher carried an English gems
tleman, Str Thomas Sanderson, who
was going out to assume the governor
ship Of one Of the Bahamas. His fami-
~ were with him, including daughter,
Helen Sanderson, girl Of twenty.
When this family were marched
aboard the Iibertad, a deathly pauor
on every face, Jose Clemencin re-
solved that he would save them or die
with them. He told the captain that
he suspected Sir Thomas to be very
rich and able to pay an enormous ran
som. This he did to excite the cap
tain's cup1dity and gain time. The
plan worked so well that instead of
forcing the gentleman and his family
to walk the plank the captain confined
them in the cabin. Clemencin also got
the captains permission to retain see
eral OF the Englishmen for the crew,
thus adding to the number of his own
adherents, so that counting the two d.
visions, he found there Were a dozen
men he could rely on to twenty who
would stand by the captain All this
was facilitated by Clemencin's speak
Ing little English, while the captain
could neither speak nor understand a
word but his own tongue The captain
directed Clemencin to arrange for q
ransom, but Demonio was present at
the interview, and, although he could
not understand English, Clemencin did
not dare risk any betrayal Of his inten-
tons Sir Thomas was Of course glad
Of an opportunity to pay ransom, but
Clemencin knew the plan would be I'm
practicable for the pirates.
Then came one Of the crew and told
Clemencin that three men had Joined
those opposed to piracy, making f1f-
teen Clemencin resolved to make an
attempt to capture the ship. He ar
ranged to take care Of the captain
himself and appointed his men, each
one to kill Or bind or otherwise dispose
Of one Of the pirates This left only
two men unprovided for. But as soon
as Sir Thomas could be released he
would be added to Clemencin's force.
Every man on both sides was we'll
armed, and there was, besides, a good
~ stock Of weapons in the cabin re-
served for an arnory, Of which the
captain kept the key on hts person
The captain the day after the cap
ture gave up the feasibility of securing
ransom without too great danger of
being entrapped, and at 10 o'clock at
night told Clemenc1D that Sir Thomas
and his family should walk the plank
the next morning. Cleuaencin met one
| Of his men on deck and whispered to
| him to pass the word that at eight
bells, midnight, each man was to at.
tack the man assigned him. The first
four to dispatch their men Were tc
rush on deck and attack the watch
Then it must be free fight.
At the last tap Of the midnight bell
when the new watch was starting up
the attack commenced. Three pirates
were stabbed In their hunks On the
new watch pirates and honest mer
were equally divided, and the pirates
| lost one Of their side Clemenctn.s mer
were instructed to use the dagger O,
cutlass, but their opponents used fire
arms. This awakened the captain
who, as he opened his cabin door. was
shot by Clemenc1n. Clemencin the1
went on deck, where he found the Ole
watch (all pirates) standing paralyzed
Clemenctn shot two Of them, and at TIKI
same moment two Of bis own mel
came UP from below. One Of the watct
/ was thrown overheard and the other,