The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-07-06
How a Pirate
Was Downed
By EDWARD STEWART


his ship, the Wasp. into cove on tn,
shores of the island of Jamaica. cas-
anchor and sent boats ashore will
casks for water. While waiting thei
return two vessels appeared out on tn,
sea, the one clumsy brigantine. the
other low cut, rakish craft will
enormous sails. Chandler brought hi.
glass to bear on the two ships ani
was not long in determining that one
was merchantmen, the other Span
ish picarOon, and the picaroOn was
chasing the merchantmen. The for
mer flew no flag, but the captain knew
only too well that she was a pirate
and If the wind held would overtake
the merchantmen.
This was at time when piracy had
been almost entirely swept from the
West Indies. and few merchant ships
had means of opposing the villains
Chandler could see no evidence of guns
aboard the brigantine, and he had but
one 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.
The wind was now very light, and
what there was was dying down. The
sun was near the western horizon, and
it had no sooner set than the last
traces Of breeze went with it. The
two vessels, now about three miles
apart. stood still, their sails tapping
as the swells rolled under them. Chan
dler began to take thought how he
might save both his own and the 9TH
er ship from the pirate. He had some
small arms aboard. but no guns ex-
cept the one mentioned, while, though
the portfolios ain the picaroon were
masked, he knew that she must be
well armed with cannon. His small
arms would be Of no use against her.
Chandler ran over in his mind what
he had aboard that he might use in a
fight and remembered that he 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 pirate?
Chandler was Yankee, and the
Yankees even at that remote period
were famed for their shrewdness and
inventive genius. He formed plan to
attack the picaroon with Illuminating
powder. Noting the positions of the
ships with his compass, he waited till
midnight; then, putting crew in each
Of two boats, he weighed anchor and
ordered them to tow the Wasp out to
sea, his object being to get between
the two vessels. Neither ship displayed
a light, but faint glimmer of cabin
lights was perceptible on the pirate.
Chandler stopped when he thought he
might be in the proper position. He
did not cast anchor. for the sound
would betray him.
When the first faint dawn came
Chandler saw that the Wasp, the pi-
rate and the merchantmen occupied
three corners Of a triangle. He was
pleased to see that he was nearer the
pirate than the merchantmen, for If
he former attacked the latter before
attacking the Wasp Chandler could az
ord no assistance. His plan did not
admit Of this. All three ships had their
'ails hoisted ready to take advantage
II the slightest breeze. As soon as
here was sufficient light the pirate
displayed the skull and crossbones
rom her peak and sent shot before
he bow Of the Wasp. Chandler, un-
this as a demand for sur
'ender, returned from his popgun a
shot no bigger than boys rubber
BALL. He did this that the pirate
night attack him with his ship in
stead Of sending boats to take posses
lion without fight.
With the rising of the sun a ripple |
vas seen coming on the water, and
)reeze came with it. 1t caught the |
'icaroon first, and she approached the
Wasp, running out her guns as she
lid 80, but nearing her prey it was
plain that there was no armament
aboard, and she ran them In again.
The critical moment had come.
Chandler stood on the quarterback
waiting his enemy, occasionally cast.
ng glance at man partially con-
,ealed aloft on that end of the GAIT |
Jwung from the mainmast. The breeze
lad reached the Wasp and filed her
'ails, enabling the helmsman to keep
he vessel before it with some head
way. When the bowsprit of the plea
Don came within cables length of
he Wasp, Chandler gave an order to
over the sails. The pirate Tapped the
Wasp and was making ready to crap
'le and board when signal was given
hat turned the tables. Chandler rails
ID his hand. Men concealed under the
,ulwarks pulled on a line fastened to
he end Of the gaff, swinging it over
he side next the picaroon. The man
'bove, carrying demijohn, nimbly
'rawled out on it, gaining a position
learly over the pirate, now not twenty
eet from the Wasp. Giving the demi-
ohm swing. he tossed 1t on the pi-