The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-07-19
How aPi rate
Was Downed
BY EDWARD STEWART

Ms ship. the Wasp into . cow -, -,
0nores or the island Of Jamaica cos,
ancnor and sent boats ashore with
easks for water. While waiting their
return two vessels appeared out on tho
'ea' the one clumsy brigantine the
o'ner low cut, rakish craft with
enormous sails. Chandler brought hi,
slass to bear on the two ships and
was not long in determining that ono
was merchantmen, the other n snon
ASH picaroon, and the picaroon was
CHASING the merchantmen. The for
mer new no flag, but the captain knew
ohly TOO well that she WAS a nira+a
ana II the wind held would overtake
the merchantman,
his was at time when piracy had
peeh almost entirely swept from tha
west Indies, and few merchant sbips
nad means of opposing the villains
chandler could see no evidence of p,,ns
ABOARD the brigantine, and he had but
one little barker on his own ship. He
nad no women aboard. but Judged
from the size and build of the mer-
chantman that she might have passen-
gers
Inc WIND was now very light, and
what there was was dying down. The
sun was near the western horizon and
IL nad no sooner set than the last
traces OF breeze went with it. The
TWO vessels, now about three miles
apart stood still their sails fiapping
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. lie had some
small arms aboard, but no guns eY-
cept the one mentioned, while though
the portfolios in the picaroon were
masked, he knew that she must be
we'll armed with cannon. His small
arms would he of no use against her.
Chandler ran over In his mind what
he had aboard that he might use in
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
nt hot ri al
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. lie
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 triangle. lie was
pleased to see that he was nearer the
pirate than the merchantmen, for If
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 realty 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
the bow of the Wasp. Chandler, un-
Outstanding this as demand for sur
render returned from his popgun
shot no bigger than a boys ruDDer
ball He did this that the pirate
might attack him with his ship IN
steod of sending boats to take posses
sion without fight.
With the rising of the sun q ripple
was seen coming on the water, ana
breeze came with 1t. 1t caught the
oicaroon first. and she approached the
Wash. running out her guns as she
did so. but nearing her prey II was
plain that there was no armament
aboard and she ran them In again.
The critical moment had CONF
Chandler stood on the quarterdeck
awaiting his enemy, occasionally cast
inc glance at a man partially con-
cealed aloft on that end OF the gan
swung from the mainmast. Inc Dreeze
bad reached the Wasp and hlied her
.a,ls enabling the helmsman 10 Keep
the vessel before it with some neau-
way When the bowsprit OF Tue pica
room came within a cables length Vi
The Wasp, Chandler gave an oruei ~
Lwor the sails. The pirate Tapped tne
WASH and was making ready u siap
ia ond hoard when signal was given
thot turned the tables. Chandler ra,S
"a IT. hand Men concealed under the
hulwarks pulled on line fastener -
tho end of the gaff, Swinging II ~
49, clio next the picaroon Inc ma
o o1 carving a demijohn. hlnlois
crawled out on it. gaining a pos .ontr
nearly over the pirate, now not - se,,i
80, from the Wasp Giving tue ueLn
swing he tossed 1t on tne ~