Year: 1875

the black cook, see that the poker
is kept red hot, and be ready to
hand it upr


'Ay, ay, SAP said Sambo showing
bis worries; for Sambo's poker had
been appointed to the duty of port
fire or match.


We were within less than a pistol
shot of the boat, when we observed
a sudden hustle under the tarpaulin.
The man at the bows changed his
position, pointed the carronade in
the direction of our brig, and bang!
round shot went whistling through
our foresail. At the same instant,
the tarpaulin was thrown off, and
with a loud shout, and some thirty
fierce and savage looking rufians
displayed themselves to view. They
Immediately saluted them with vol
ley of their small arms, which, how
ever, did but little damage, though
l saw but one of our men fall. The
others were with difficulty, restrain
ed from firing upon them-the
black cook now brandishing his
heated poker. But the captain
shouted out, "forbear! not shot till
give the word"


The pirate boat rapidly approach
ed, and her crew fired another vol
ley upon US; but firing upwards, and
our men being sheltered by the bull
warks, no damage was this time
done. The ruffians were now close
upon us, and / could see their gleam-
ing pixies and cutlasses, the pistols
and long knives in their belts, and
their revolving looks. There was a
faint scream of the females on deck.
We seemed as if already in the pi-
rates power.


But our turn for action had now
come. The boat had almost struck
the ships side, when the clear voice
of the captain was heard.


"Now, men, steady! Run out the
guns, mind your aiml Now Blackey
with your poker


The guns were run out through the
port holes in an instant, and one fiery
stream of death after another was
pouring down upon our assailants.
At least three or four heavy shot
went through the boats bottom,
when she almost instantly filed and
sank, leaving her crew in the water,
struggling and swimming for life.
A cry of horror rose from among
them when the first volley of grape
and round shot crushed into their
midst, and they howled for pity and
mercy. But they had little time for
consideration now; and one by one,
the swimmers disappeared. Some
sank others seemed to be suddenly
dragged under water. Two sharks
which had followed the ships wake
for some days, now enjoyed high
carouse. There was an occasional
splash, an upturned belly, a crunch
ing of bones, and in moment all
was; over with the victims.


And what of the pirate ship-the
first object of our fears? What was
our surprise to find the stranger ship
steering off? Most probably oul
warm reception of the Cuba fisher
man had shown them that we were
fully prepared for res1stence. How
ever, this might be, certain it is, that
they parted company with us forth
with and troubled US no more. The
Joy of the crew and the passengers
thus rescued from perils so im1ni-
nent, need scarcely be described
The captain was quite beside himself
with Joy, and seemed almost inclin-
ed to embrace the black cook Sam
bo for his gallant handling of the
poker. Double, if not treble allow
ances of grogs were served out to
the men; and we reached port in
safety, without further incident,
abou three weeks after this adven,
ture with the pirates.