Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 March 1869 — CARREBA, THE PIRATE. [ARTICLE]

CARREBA, THE PIRATE.

A Desperate Encounter. • I onoo had the misfortune, while yet a “middy,” to fall into the clutches of Carreba, the Pirate Chief, who at that time was known” fromthe Canary Isles to the Capes of Florida, as being one of the most daring as well as the most successful freebooters that ever floated over the broad Atlantic. 1 had been appointed tb a berth in the old Constitution, then cruising in the West India Islands, and was forced to; take passage in a small merchantman trading between Charleston and "Porto Rico, in order the more speedily to join my ship. Our captain was a hale, bluff old sea dog, who had weathered more gales than I had counted years, and who was fond of spinning long yarns. I was much entertained by this quality in him, as we walked the cleck together, while nearing the lower latitudes, where we found light breezes and pleasant weather. lie was apt to speak of personal exploits with a braggadocio air, that to one unaccustomed as I ihen was to the skipper’s fancies, seemed to me not only marvelous, but true. It is difficult for me now to recall the number of battles that ho had been engaged in, the names of the pirates ho had slain, or the names of the vessels in which he had distinguished himself. After one of these confidential conversations, I said to hint: . “But those times have passed, Captain Willis. There are no pirates now.” He looked at me 6ome time in silence, with a view to detect on my countenance some expression that would belie my words. But as I really thought as 1 had said, his glance went for nothing. “Why/* bless your landlubber’s heart,” he replied, when satisfied, “ineourse there are pirates now, and nasty ones, ,too! May I lose the number of my mess, if I don't expect \ to fall in with some of the sharks this cruise.” “Fall in with pirates,” I exclaimed, in surprise, “and this trip, too!” “Aye, my lad—but I hope you aren’t afraid, be you ?” “Afraid ! oh, no ! I am anxious to sec a real pirate.” “Oh, you be, eh? Well, young-irti-Ej you’ll haifj'iq jpar stun’ sails if) you ever do come athwart tfiiTbolPS'l of one of them free traders. You'd like to sOe one, eli? There’s one cruising all the way from the ’ UanarTesTto The G andUown the coast, that it would shiver your toplights to see.” “Who is he? What do you call him?” “He’s known to us as Carreba, the Antigua buccaneer. He’s a daredevil, and wouldn’t show his heels—no, not to one of Uncle Sam’s frigates. lie commands a taut little craft, and handles her as I would a marlin-spike.” “And have you ever chanced to meet "him?” I inquired. “Meethim, youngster?” Jn course I have. 1 recollect’some three years ago, when 1 had the ‘Bouncing Fanny,’ and on a voyage to the Azores and a market, while lazily creeping along On the edge" of the trade winds, falling in withtkissame pest of the sea. May I never splice the main brace again, if I wasn’t allowed to meet him face to face. “And what dies you do? Made all sail ? Hauled out your bowlines and run, eh ?” “No, sir! hauled aback, and waited for him to run down, just as I should do now if he should appear. Run? Y r ou don’t know Captain Willis. Ho runs from no man!” “Would you then face him if he Bhould appear now ?” “Of course I would. Haven’t we got a ‘lon£ Tom’ in the bows, and a ‘stern chaser* to boot? Then look at our aripament—cutlasses, pistols, and boarding pikes enough’ for any emergency.” “Hat! lio I” cried the man aloft. The fussy, bragging captain-turn-ed pale with fright as be inquired t “Wheye away ?” / “Three points off the weather bow.” t ■ “What doys sho look like?” ‘♦A lqy.\ long, black schooner, a slaver, f reckon, bound to Cuba.” “ItVvCarreba, I know it,” ’bried the excited captain. “Square* yard*. her away, yon roan at

the wheel. Quick, put her before the wind.” “Why, captain,” I remonstrated, “where is your bravery ? You were anxious to meet hint.” “Ay, hoy, but not on this tack. We will come about soon.” I saw at once that he was a eoward. His orders were obeyed, and soon we were sailing with a free sheet, directly before the wind. I took a seat upon the main-topsail yard, and with the ship’s glass watched the motions of the stranger, who had by this time come fully in sight. “Captain Willis,” I said, “now is the time for you to haul aft yoyr sheets ind Jay to tbo wind. This vessel is coming down upon us.” He did not answer me, but shouted at the top of his voice: “Lay aloft there and rig out them stu’n-sail booms. Quick, men, or we are lost!” Then turning to me, he said, apologetically : “I have too valuable a cargo to risk the chances with him. Besides, I must not, as a faithful commander, run toy crew, srpall as it is, into any danger. But'we shall meet him on our return ; then, if he is cruising here, let him beware of me!” 1 was disgusted with his evasion, and almost boy as I was, determined to take command by appealing to the men, and fight Carreba myself, should it, indeed, be he. Meanwhile, it became evident that the schooner was nearing us, and it was a mere matter of time and the relative qualities of the two vessels, whether or not we should bo overhauled. Again I urged,tho captain to reconsider his act, but with dignity ill becoming his trembling accents, he then replied. “My reasons have been given. How dare I basely betray my trust? The owners of this vessel have a right to demand that I should use every effort to save her, and I shall |lo so.” “Then, sir, you will not only have the credit of haVing attempted ah escape, but you will also have to give up the ship j for see, this craft is close aboard 6f us, even now. — Come, Sir Valiant, haul down your flag and surrender at discretion.” I was not prebared for the readiness displayed by the poltroon in acting upon my remark. What I had uttered as badinage, ho seized upon as advice. “Well, sir, if you think we had better yield without- imperiling the lives of the crew, I am forced to follow your advice. Haul back the mainvard.” “You mistake me,” I said. “Do not I beg of you, give up so meanly.” But it was useless. The sails flapped against the mainmast, and the vessel caihe to the wind. I hereupon determined to appeal to the men, who were now grouped to windward, looking anxiously at the fast approaching schooner. “There goes the black flag,” cried the man at the lookout. I immediately sprang upon the main hatch, and with a loud voice appealed to the men. “Will you thus allow yourselves to be made prisoners, and not strike one blow in defense of the flag under which you sail ? Are you willing to have your names desecrated and hooted by the noble tars that float over this ocean? Come lads, you do not mean to skulk now. Go to the steward and ho will givo'you arms for defense. If your captain will not, I will be your leader, "ana we will not yield an inch, even though death stares us in the face. It is hotter to aie fighting than to live to be be a pirate’s olave.” “Ay! ay! we’ll fight the pirates!” cried the crew to a man. Willis, seeing perfectly how things stood, now stepped forward, and with an eye on the advancing foe, and another on the men, Raid: “Certainly! we’ll stand by yon. Yon as a nayal officer, sir, must have command and act as you please. Meanwhile, I will go below and provide arms for you fill.” fle went down, and wo did not again until he was a prisoner. The pirato neared us fast, and deeming that there would bo no resistence offered, a boat was lowered, which soon came under our larboard quarter. The re'ception 'they met wa,s somewhat warmer than they I bad antieipited. Being unprepared for a defsUA». ovqry one. the mate at their head','Yrerf.teemed and bound. li ■ •-. W-*' 1 N ,<;V *..f " 7

The captain of the schooner* which was now lying to, near us, saw the proceeding, and, giving appropriate orders, hauled along side. Then came the hand-to-hand struggle. Our men fought with desperation, but at great odds in favor of the attacking party. By some fatality, Carreba and myself were combatants. His superior power and skill soon disarmed me, and I stood at his mei’cy. But ho did not strike. He sheathed his cutlass calmly, and, calling to our sailors, said : “Whoever of you strikes another blow shall die. Lay down your arms and Carreba promises, upon his honor, that your liyes shall be spared.” “Captain,” said the pirate chief, now striding towards me. “I am not the captain, sir,” I replied. •“You are not! Where, is he?” “He went belows to arm himself some time since, and has not yet appeared.” “Here, Belpont, go below and hoist the grampus from his cabin. What, did he leave you to fight his battle for him ?” ’’ “Ho did.” NfThe chief eyed me narrowly tor some moments; I returned his gaze unwaveringly. ' f “What is your name, youngster?” ho finally inquired. I told him. Again he regarded me fixedly. . • “Are you the son of a former captain of the old Constitution?” “I am, sir; his only son.” “I was once a boatswain under his Command. He was a generous, brave and just man. I should have been’still in the service were I not — Carreba,' the pirate!” “I am surprised to hear—” “What?” he interrupted sharply; “that I yJas once an honest man ?” “That*you know my father,” I replied. Captain Willis was now on deck. He was trembling with fear, and livid from the same cause. He almost 1 sank with apprehension as he confronted his captor. “So, sir, you take good care to keep out of the way when danger comes. What a bravo man you must he to resign your vessel to the care of a stripling!” “Why, sir, I have an affection of the —l”' “Heart! coward!” thundered the pirate. “An affection of the heart, ■and absence of courage that prompted you to take care of ymtrsslf, llgk what raby come to your crew and ship; -Pitch-binrovcrboard,faoyr“ > The captain fell upon his knefes and begged him for meroy. “I have a wife and six children,” he urged, c “What a pity 1 six more poltroons to grow up and disgrace their humanity. Why, you're the meanest man 1 ever saw. Not fight! Bah!” He then turned to his own men, and motioned them to go oh board of their own vessel. Then again coming to me, he offered me his hand, saying: “You will not refuse to give me your hand at parting. Your presence on board of this vessel has saved her to her owners, and saved the lives of all with you. The name you bear is one which I must ever respect—Farewell, sir. Bear to your fathernny kindest regards.” He touched his cap in salute, jumped on tho rail, and in a little while his schooner was close hauled on the wind lar ahead of us. A s soon as the captain’s fright was over, he resumed all the pompousness of his usual manner. He ordered the men to duty, then turning to me exclaimed: “I think we fought those rascals finely.” " I arrived at the island in due time and joined my ship. This was the last I ever' saw of Carreba, the pirate. <