Year: 1861

favorable opportunity


After short cruise, during which we
took number of prizes, the schooner re-
turned to the rendezvous of the Buccaneers,
which was among cluster of low islands
on the Venezuelan coast, called Los Royuos.


Here, after the excessive hard labor OF
landing our cargo, during the hottest days
of the summer, I was thrown into fever,
from which did not recover for weeks. |
was therefore left on shore, while the schoon-
er sailed away again on another cruise
During my sickness she returned; and be-
sides much rich booty sent on shore, learn,
ed that a Spanish lady and her servant,
we're also landed, whom the pirates had re.
served for large ransom, as she was the
wife of wealthy planter Of the Island Of
Margarita.


AS soon as was able to leave my hut,
my curiosity impelled me to get a sight of
this lady; and er youth and beauty i'm
mediately interested me in her favor |
determined, if possible, to be of service to
her, in assisting her to escape from the is
land


The schooner would probably be absent
soon some two weeks longer; and those
left in charge of the rendezvous, number
ing some ten persons, were not extremely
vigilant. 1t occurred to me that if could
get possession of the launch, the only boat
on the islands larger than a skiff I might
make for the neighboring coast of Vene.
zuela, which was scarcely more than days
sail distant.


Watching my opportunity, when unno'
ticed by the people of the place, Iapproach-
ed the hut occupied by Donna Paulina, for
such 1 had heard her servant call her, and
respectfully addressing her, proposed, if
she desired it, I would attempt to take her
safely to her friends on the main land.


At first the lady suspected my intentions:
and scarcely deigned to reply to my propo-
sal but upon my assuring her of my sin
cerity, she joyfully seized upon the hope
of escape; and clasping my rough, sailor
hand, with both her soft, tiny ones, coDjur-
ed me to save her from the wicked men 10
whose power she was and not only the
bounty the pirate chief had demanded r
her release, should be mine, but all de-
sired; for her husband, Don Gregorio,
would pay me more than literally for res
cuing her from the hands of that unprinci.
pied william, who was thus detaining her
from him.


I assured her it was not for the hope of
reward that I undertook to return her to
her friends; but for the respect my coun-
trymen had always been taught to feel for
lady in distress. 1t was for her sake
only, and not for her gold, that I would
make the attempt. "Besdes, lady," said
I, Kit is not from my own choice | am here !;
and am as desirous to leave these robbers
of the high seas, as yourself can be-"


I accordingly arranged with Donna Pau
lima, to meet me at the launch, on the fol.
lowing night, just as the moon was sinking
into the sea for at that hour | knew the
flood tide would enable me the better to
get the launch ahoat, and then, too, the
sentinels would be most apt to neglect their
posts


All the next day | was engaged, secret.
ly, in conveying water and other aticles to
the launch, preparatory to setting out at
night, and succeeded in accomplishing
everything to my satisfaction and as the
young moon was dipping her crescent into
the waves of the Caribbean sea, all was
ready for our departure, but the arrival of
the lady and her maid While was strain
ing every effort to push the heavy boat over
the sands into deeper water, they made
their appearance.


Without delay, I lifted them into the
boat, and as l did so, observed that the
lady carried in her hand long fusee-the
same, sir, that hangs there-and which has
just now attracted your attention.


"What have you here, LADY," asked
on seeing so strange weapon in Donna
Paulina's hand.


"It is loaded gun, I CHANGED to find in
the hut" she replied, "and not knowing
but its service might be required, l have
brought it along!'


This reminded me that in my haste to
get everything in readiness, had neglec-
ted to provide myself with any means of
defence, if on discovering our white sail
from the shore, the people should attempt
to overhaul US.


Pushing the boat therefore, into deep
water, and throwing rope around large
rock, l begged the lady to remain quiet for
moment, while l returned to my quar-
ters, and arning myself with pistols and
sabre, returned again to the boat. and was
soon under weigh


AS feared, the creaking of the halyard
blocks, as | hoisted home the sal, was heard
on shore, and scarcely had we caught the
breeze than the alarm was given, and soon
l could see that the two skiffs, containing
four men each, were putting out from the
shore in pursuit of US, while the fierce oaths
of the pirates, ordering us to lay to, were
born over the waters to our ears with fright.
full distinctness.


had provided the launch with ballast,
and hoped by running free before the wind
to outsail our pursuers; but to my chagrin,
I perceived they were gaining upon US
Their light skiffs, each propelled by oars,
flew swiftly over the waves, and in few
minutes would be aboard of US.
! At first I determined to Give up the race,