Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1881 — The Penitent Pirate. [ARTICLE]

The Penitent Pirate.

Some few yeartfsince an East Indian trader was attacked while cruising in the Indian ocean by a piratical schooner, and the attack beingsudden and unlooked for, the merchantman fell an easy prey into the hands of the drates. The captain and several of he crew were slain during the conflict, and the rest being gagged and heavily ironed were laid in the pirates boats for removal to their own vessel, and then the murderous gang proceeded to the ship’s cabin, intending there to complete the work of destruction, and see of what treasures they could possess themselves. As they descended the companionway, they heard a soft voice evidently engaged in supplication; and the chief, directing liis followers to halt at the entrance, went noislessly forward to ascertain whence the voice proceeded. Bending low to avoid observance, he peeped into a door that stood ajar, and there knelt a fair young woman, with a beautiful boy at her side, one arm clasped earnestly around the child, and the other raised in earnest supplication. “Oh, God of all mercy!” said the beseeching voice, as the face of tearful agony met the pirate’s view, “save the life of my child, if such be thy holy will; but rather let him perish now by the assassin’s knife, than fall a living prey into such hands to be trained up to a life of sin and infamy. Let him die now, if such decree; but, oh, let him not live to dishonor thee and perish at last eternally!”

The voice ceased, choked with tears of agony; and their stood the pirate, transfixed to the spot by the tumult of his own emotion. In imagination he was again a child; his own pious mother’s prayers and Instructions, for long years forgotten, rose before him; and God’s Spirit sent such an arrow of conviction to his heart that, instead of carrying out his murderous designs, he sank upon his knees, and cried out for mercy* After assuring the lady that no should be done her, he hastened to the deck, unbound the captive crew, and restoring them to their ship, returned with his men to their own. Shortly afterward he surrendered’” himself to the British East India Government; hut so great was the remorse he Buffered for his past crimes that, before his trial came on, he was attacked with fever, that ip a few days l proved fatal. Before his death he made a full confession of the crimes of his past life, manifesting the deepest penitence in view of his guilt, and he expire 4 humbly trusting to Jesus, for mercy and acceptance with Him. * Thus were his pious mother’s prayers answered at last, and her erring child saved, as we may trust, even at the eleventh hour.— Christian Herald.