Year: 1871

BE patient few days longer, and | will
enable you to depart in safety-would
to heaven l could accompany yon!
" And why can you not ?" l asked
" what should make you hesitate such
life as this-one unyarying round of
danger, fatigue and crime, surely can
possess no charms to man whose very
actions prove that he was born to a
obler, better fate.


How said he, "can the notorious
Lafitte, the hief, of pirates, the COM
mander of outlaws, the companion of
murderers the man whose very name
carries terror from Carthagena to Ha-
wanna, mix in the society of civilized
men Would the laws be silent ?
Would not the sword Of justice leap
from its scabbard at the very mention
of my name And these men, these
pestilential humors in the body polite,
is there not quite as much hope that
Justice will be done them, when collec-
ted in one mass, as when scattered
abroad to pollute the fountains Of socie-
ty, and spread their poisonous influence
through the streams Of social compact
and order AS to this mode of living,
it is the danger alone that furnishes to
me its only charm it is not for the
sake of wealth--it is not for the bad
eminence of being sovereign among
pirates; but it is because when once un-
| fortunato o;rou,,ot, ,nooo boya ,n,da a
man an outlaw, it difficult to obtain ad
mission into the pale of society; it is
because | would willingly set my life on
the hazard of shot to free myself
from misfortunes which have followed
close upon my heals ever since | had an
existence, that you find me pirate a
native of Barataria.


{" If [ understand you then,' | re-
piled, you would not hesitate to leave
this place, and these wretches to their
fate, if the past could be buried in
oblivlon-if your offences against the
law could be cancelled and your safety
ensured"


Were there none concerned but
myself" he answered, "you would be
perfectly correct: but these men |
must not forsake-their safety must de-
pend on my own AS to the rest, |
can easily hear your implied assertion
of guilt without being offended it is
scarcely possible for you to feel other
wise but it is eneyitable necessity alone
that compels me to endure my present
situation most gladly would | quit it,
but the hope is vain, and | must con
tent myself to use my influence to re
straining the atrocities of these men in
the most etfectual manner possible ,
Perhaps not" I replied q know
the chances are indeed small. but |
think there is one in which ex SITS pos.
sibility of effecting your wishes, and l
should be happy could be the instru-
ment of accomplishing them" " Name
but the means by which it can be efec.
ted," answered he with earnestness,
and l shall feel myself forever indebt
ed to you


" shall deal frankly with you |
replied; " | know not on which side
your feelings are enlisted TO the contest
which is at present raging with the Uni.
ted States and Great Britain; but I shall
put the question plainly. Would you
yourself embark in the cause Of America
and use your exertions to induce your
men to do so, if an act of pardon and
oblivion could be obtained under the
Presidential seal p


"Most willingly he answered, "let
but the name Of pirate be buried, and
| pledge myself that these men will be
found amongst the brayest defenders OF
the republic


"Then my best exertions shall be
used in your behalf-your services will
soon be wanted where they will produce
the most effect. Great Britain is fitting
out powerful feet in the West Indies
which is probably destined against New
Orleans and from your thorough ac-
quaintancc with the whole coast of the
Gulf, and the necessity Of collecting a
formidable force at that point, the Gov
enor of the United States would nc
doubt listen favorably to whatever over.
lures might be made in your behalf -
There is one favor, however, which |
shall insist upon from yOu, and which
you will not refuse-a relation of the
circumstances which induced you to be-
come what you now appear to have been
from youth, pirate by profession


by profession. said he smiling,
" but the time was when | was not. II
it will be gratifying to you to have a
knowledge of some Of the events of my
past life, | shall checrfully comply with
your request although the recital will
call to mind scenes which have wrung
my heart to Its centre


"The county Of West chester iu the
State Of New York, was my birth place,
my name is Mortimer Wilson. In
what manner I acquired my present
name you Will learn from my story it
is sufficient that to the pirate [ a4
known only as Laiitte. TIC TO be born