Evening journal., 1905-01-18
On the Spanish Main
IorislnAil


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 reconsldered
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 ap-
palled at being obliged to turn pirate
He was a brave man, but knew that
If he so much as lifted a finger for
resistance he would be murdered He
therefore determined to bide 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 viii.
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 Britisher carried an English gen
tleman, Sir Thomas Sanderson, who
was going out TO assume the governor
ship Of one of the Bahamas. His fami-
ly were with him. including a daughter.
Helen Sanderson. a girl Of twenty.
When this family were marched
aboard the Libertad, a deathly pallor
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 cuDidlty aud gain time. The
plan worked so well that instead Of
forcing the gentleman and his family
10 walk the plank the captain confined
them IN the cabin. Clemencin also got
the captains permission 20 retain sew
eral of the Engllshmen 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 a little English. while the captain
could neither speak nor understand a
word but his own tongue. The captain
| directed Clemencin to arrange for a
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-
tions. Sir Thomas was Of course glad
Of an opportunity TO pay a ransom, but
Clemencin knew the plan would be Inn
| practicable for the pirates.
Then came one Of the crew and told
Clemencin that three men had Joined
those opposed to piracy, making If
teen. Clemencin resolved to make an
attempt 10 capture the ship. He ar
ranged 70 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 be
would be added to Clemencin's force.
Every man on both sides was well
armed, and there was, besides, a good
| ly stock of weapons in the cabin re-
served for an armory, OF which the
captain kept the key on his person.
The captain the day after the cap
ture gave up the feasibility Of securing
a ransom without too great danger OF
being entrapped. and at 10 o'clock at
night told Clemencin that Sir Thomas
and his family should walk the plank
the next morning. Clenenoin met one
OF his men on deck and whispered TO
him to pass the word that az eight
bells, midnight, each man was to at
tack the man assigned him. The first
four to dispatch their men were to
rush on deck and attack the watch.
Then it must be a 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 men
were equally divided. and the pirates
lost one Of their side. Clemencin's men
we're instructed to use the dagger OF
cutlass, but their opponents used FIRE
arms. This awakened the captain.
who, as he opened hts cabin door, was
! shot by Clemencin. Cle,nencin then
went on deck. where he found the old
watch (all pirates) standing paralyzed.
/ Clemencin shot two Of them, and at the
same moment two Of his own men
came up from below One Of the watch
was thrown overheard and the others
/ pinioned. Then Clemencin and hrs two
men went TO the forecastle, where the
remnant Of the pirates were making a
last stand against eight or ten assail-
ants. Clemencin shouted that then. cap
tain was killed and called on them d
surrender They did so. and the ship
was saved.
Clemencin went Immediately 20 the
cabin where the SandeTson family
were confined and explained what had
occurred Lady SRnderson swooned for
! Joy, while Helen and the children Look
ed at their deliverer as they would
view an angel sent down from heaven
to save them. Clemencin took the ship
into jamaica. where he delivered those
Of the pirates who had not been killed,
] including the captain, whose wound
was not mortal. to the authorities. Ev-
cry man Of them was hanged.
There is no doubt that Clemencin
would have captured the ship In time.
but 1t was the arrival on board Of the
Sanderson family and the sight of Hell
en- Sanderson's agonized face that led
| him to act at once. In time she re-
| warded him with her hand