The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-06-11


More than hundred years ago
young Captain Herbert Chandler sailed
his Ship the Wasp. into d cove On The
shores Of the island Of Jamaica. cast
anchor and sent boats ashore VIZ.
casks for water While waiting their
return two vessels appeared out on the
sea. the one clumsy hrigantlne. the
other a low cut rakish craft with
enormous sails Chandler brought his
glass to bear on the two ships and
was not long IN determining that one
was q merchantmen, the other Span
ish picaroon. and the picaroon was
chasing the merchantmen. The for
mer few no dag, but the captain knew
only too well that she was pirate
and Il the wind held would ovartake
the merchantmen.
This was at a time when piracy had
been almost entirely swept from the
West Indies, aud few merchant ships
had means Of opposing the villains.
Chandler could see no evidence Of guns
aboard the bAgantine and be had but
sne little barker on his own ship. He
had no women aboard, but Judged
from the size and build OF the mer-
chairman that she might have passen-
gers.
But the wind was very light, ana
what there was was dying down. The
sun was near the western horizon, and
a. huA ma nrnrag un% 49,. A. 800
traces Of a breeze set with It. The
two vessels. now about three miles
apart, stood still, their sails Mapping
as the swells rolled under them. Chan
dler began TO take thought how be
might save both Bic own ana the 9th.
or ship from the pirate He had some
small arms aboard, but no guns ex-
cept the one mentioned, while, though
the portfolios 10 the pioeroon were
masked, be knew that she must be
weH armed with cannon. His small
arms would be Of no use against her.
Chandler ran over ia his mind what
be had aboard that he might use in
hght and remembered that be was
carrying among other things for blast
ing purposes in the Mexican mines
Illuminating powder used In those days
But what use could be made OF this
against the cannon balls OF the pirate7
Chandler was Yankee, and the
Yankees even at that remote period
were famed for their shrewdness and
inventive genius He formed q plan 10
attack the picaroon with Illuminating
powder Noting the positions Of the
ships with his compass. be waited till
midnight: then. pstting crew IN each
Of two boats. he weighed anchor and
ordered them to tow the Wasp ont 10
sea, his object being 70 get between
the two vessels. Neither ship displayed
a light, but faint glimmer 81 cabin
lights was perceptible on the pirate
Chandler stopped when be thought he
might be in the proper position. He
did not cast anchor, for the sound
would betray him, and he was not
ready to let the pirate know Of his
I proximity.
when the first faint dawn came
Chandler saw that the Wasp. the pit.
rate and the merchantmen occupied
the three angles Of a triangle. He was
pleased to see that he was nearer the
pirate than the merchantmen, for Il
the former attacked the latter before
attacking the Wasp Chandler could af-
ford no assistance. His plan did not
admit OF this. All three ships had their
sails hoisted ready to take advantage
Of the slightest breeze. As soon as
there was sufficient light the pirate
displayed the skull and crossbones
from her peak and sent a shot before
tho bow Of the Wasp. Chandler. IN.
derstanding this as demand for sur.
render, returned from his popgun a shot
no bigger than 4 boys rubber ball He
did this that the pirate might attack
him with his ship instead of sending
boats to take possession without a
fight
with the rising OF the sun ripple
was seen coming on the water and a
breeze came with It. Il caught the
picaroon FIRST and she approached the
wasp. running out her guns as she
did so. but nearing her prey i was
plain that there was no armament
aboard and she ran them in again
The critical moment had come
Chandler stood on the quarterback
awaiting his enemy, occasionally cast.
ing glance at man partially con
cealea aioft On that end Of the gan
swung from the mainmast The breeze
had reached the Wasp aud filed nel
sails. enabling the heimsman 70 keeI
the vessel before it With some head
wav when the bowsprit Of the plea.
room came within cables length o.
the wasp. Chandler gave an order g
lower the sails The pirate Tapped the
WASH and was making ready 70 crap
ME and board when a signal was given
that turned the tables. Chandler rails
I'd his hand. Men concealed under the
h,,lwarks pulled on line fastened t
M end Of the gan swinging i over
the side next the picaroon The man
above. carrying a demijohn. nimbis
crawled out on It. gaining positiel
nearly over the pirate. now not twenty
feet from the wasp Giving the demi
tobn 4 swing. be tossed It On the p
rates deck
There was an explosion that blew
tbe little pirate So far apart that th'
water rushing into the gaps in be-
siaea sunk her within two minutes
,asrino ber men aoating in the water
Thev we're mercilessly picked on q
~ .slo-u IN the Wasp