Year: 1872

lence, forcibly stole us away.


"We were taken to Bristol, and plac
ed on board of rakish-looking brig
his brig. and carefully guarded by tht
pirates they were pirates, and ou1
captor was their chief. He was the mar
who once loved my mother. We imme'
diately set sail, and we're soon ploushine
the seas to the West Indies.


"The career of pirate is checkered
and eventful one. The many scenes OF
rapine and bloodshed that have wit
nesse are indelibly fixed in my memo
ry. Children ordinarily forget what
transpires during their early years; they
have no experiences which excite them
and make them old men before they are
mature in years. I have seen things
that would make your blood curdle in
your veins. have suffered what would
make your hair turn white in a single
night, the recital of which would make
you shudder. But I will be brief. /
will not dwell on these incidents which
would only serve to excite your sympa-
thy for mankind in general.


"We cruised about the West Indies
for one year. Six years previous to that
the pirate brig had been terror to the
maratime world. The English outlaw,
endowed with keen intelligence, an edu-
Gated mind and commanding presence
had acquired reputation far and wide.
To the merchantmen he was the herald
of misfortune and sorrow TO the dis
tressed landsman he was the angel of
mercy. In every island were his friends
and enemies. Like the Monte Cristo
of the Mediterranean, he had acquired a
vast system of intercommunication with
boatmen and small traders, and was in
league with outlaws by land, who feared
him for his power and blessed him for
his protection and AID.


cat last the revolutions between the
Spanish colonies on the Pacific coast,
and the mother country broke out, and
a new field for piratical enterprise was
discovered. This was about 1918. The
Captain repaired to the rendezvous on
Long Island, reitted his brig, and took
on board his ill-gotten treasures. We
we're prepared for an unknown country
and still more adventurous life. In a
short time we were bending our sails
southwark. and rounded Cape Horn
without mishap.


"Our men numbered about one hun
dred and sixty, bold desperate and true
Never did they question the authority OF
their chief, whose supremacy was abso-
lutte, and in whom they placed the ut
most reliance. The crew was composed
of Englishmen, Scotchmen and Irish
men. We had eight guns. A Long
our gunners were always sure of thetr
mark. 1t was terrible sight to see
those men in action. They knew nc
fear, ard their Captain was as god to
them, dealing out death in the fray.


He was, however, kind-hearted with
al, and never spilled blood, when the
occasion did not demand it. He was un.
merciful in the fight but compassionate
I'm the victory. When we had taken O
richly freighted galleon, he was content
with its treasure, and only partirlly dis
abled her so that she could not follow
him or give notice Of his presence il
time for his capture.


"He always treated me kindly and
taught me how to assist the men in case
of need. Sometimes he would sit by my
side and instruct me in the art of war
He often talked of my mother. and toli
me he was my father. But always
spurned him then. which made him very
angry. I would not call him father. HI
threatened, but it was of no avail 1 still
remembered my dear mother and could
not conceive that this fierce man coulc
have been loved by her. 1t was only or
such occasions that he spoke harsh
words to me but then he was terrible
and feared him.


"Eliza was then beautiful girl JUS
ripening into womanhood. She was car
ed for and every indulgence granted
No one dared to cross. her wishes excep
by order of the Captain. What objec
or destiny he had in store for her can
not tell. Thank God! she was saved
from sharing pirates home !


eve were soon exploring the ives
coast of South America. We visited tn
ports of Chill and Peru, and established
a system for obtaining information con
cerning the movements Of the merchant
men, We went to Panama, Centra
America and Mexico, and explored tht
islands off the coast. While lying In
port we would watch the vessels abou
to depart, and always knew when oul
prey was in sight, Then we would sally
forth and intercept the unfortunate Graf
and transfer its silver dollars and barr
of gold and silver to the Golfers of oul
brig.


GA hospital was established in an IN