Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-06-21
How Pirate
Was Downed
By EDWARD STEWART

shores or the Island OF Jamaica. cast
anchor and sent boats ashore with
casks for water. While waiting their
return two vessels appeared out on the
sea, the one a clumsy brigantine, 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 merchantmen. the other a Span
ish picaroon. and the picaroon was
chasing the merchantman. The for
mer flew no flag. but the captain knew
only too well that she was 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-
chantman 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 hor;zon, and
it had no sooner set than the last
traces of q 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
er ship from the pirate. He had some
small arms aboard. but no guns e1-
cept the one mentioned, while, though
the portfolios in 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
fight and remembered that he was
carrying, among other things for blast
ing purposes in the Mexican mines, a
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
light, but a faint glimmer Of cabin
lights was percephble 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 triangle. He 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 ready to take advantage
Of the slightest breeze. AS soon IS
there was sufficient light the pirate
displayed the skull and crossbones
from her peak and sent shot before
the bow Of the Wasp. Chandler, un-
derstanding this as demand for sur
render, returned from his popgun a
shot no bigger than boys rubber
ball. He did this that the pirate
might attack him with his ship in
stead Of sending boats to take posses.
sion without a fight.
With the rising Of the sun a ripple
was seen coming on the water, and a
breeze came with it. 1t caught the
picaroon first, and she approached the
Wasp, running out her guns as she
did SO, 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
awaiting his enemy, occasionally cast.
ing a glance at man partially con.
SCoiCu dtOlC Ou IudI Gnu OF the gan
swung from the mainmast. The breeze
had reached the Wasp and filed her
sails, enabling the helmsman to keen
the vessel before it with some head.
way. When the bowsprit of the pica.
room came within cables length Of
the Wasp, Chandler gave an order to
lower the sails. The pirate lapped the
Wasp and was making ready to grap-
| pie and board when signal was given
that turned the tables. Chandler rails.
ed his hand. Men concealed under the
bulwarks pulled on line fastened to
the end of the gaff, swinging it over
the side next the picaroon. The man
above. carrying demijohn. nimbly
| crawled out on it, gaining position
nearly over the pirate, now not twenty
feet from the Wasp. Giving the demi-
john a swing. he tossed it on the nj
rates deck.