THE COLUMBIA DEHOCMW. I have sworn upon tlie Altar of Cod, eternal hostility to every form of Tyranny over the Win of W Thomas JcfferBon. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY tt. tVEBB. Volume II. BliOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PAi SATURDAY, IVIAW 19, 1838: Number 4. OFFICE OF THE DEMOCRAT, Next door to Rolison's Staoe Office Tlie COLUMBIA DEMOCRAT will be published every Saturday morning, at TWO DOLLARS per annum, payabl: half yearly in advance, or Two Dollarr Fifty Cents, if not paid within the year- No subscription will betaken for a shorten period than six months; nor any aiscons tinitance permitted, until all drrearagce are discharged. AD VER TISEMENTS not. exceeding a square will be conspicuously inserted at One Dollar for the first three insertions, and Twenty-five cmls for every subse quent nserlion. gC7i liberal discount made to those who advertise by the year LETTERS addressed on business, iritis! be post paid. Fiom the Gentlemen's Magazine for May. THE PIRATE JjAW. BY W1LDERR LANK, PHILADELPHIA. The morning wind had sunk to sleep on its ocean bed, and left a small foretonsail schooner rocking on the long,smooth swells away westward of the coast of Peru. She, was a gay and gallant model of naval beau- ,ty. Light as the frightened sea-gull, she roso on tho clear, deep wave, showing a long, low, shining black hull of faultless mould. The tall, elegant masts stood proud ly up with that graceful rake peculiar to tins class of vessels ; Tlio clean polished yards were hung with the nicest accuracy, tapering from the middle with the rounded symmetry of a lady's finger; tho spotless canvas hung in airy folds amid the trim.laiit rigging, like tho floating dress of a fairy queen. 'Tho figure-head of i- dark-haiicd Moorish girl, leaned in laughing loveliness from the sharp, rising bow, as if to kiss the glad waters beneath ; with one hand she held the wild lily of tho Pacific Isles, In while the othei playfully grasped a scart, .i.:u ...l:.i iipu t?i.., r Suit WIIIUII via wiiuuii iiiu nuwui ui iuu Sea." A single flag dropped above the narrow stern; as it flapped aside with the rolling of the waves, It revealed tho bright blazonry of the Spanish amis: , To one untaught lil sea lore; the vessel i might have passed for a peaceful earner of jj trade, but a seaman would havo romaiked uk without regard to burthen, ifo would Iiave told you that she was too pretty to bo ariy Ihing else than a shluggler or pirate, such' gentry always displaying a more classic taste than their less romantic brethren of ihe salt water1. His keeii eye, too; would have detected tho dark mouth of a cannon, known to the craft by the name of "Long Tom,'' lurking mysteriously under a heap of canvas-and coiled rope, just aft tho fore mast. All do'itbts as to character were put to rest by the motley crew of whiskered desperadoes ttidi covered the deck. Some slept half-naked in the hot sun, some were gambling arid quarrelling, and others, with a spice of poetic feeling not uncommon to the cloth were leaning dver the side to watch A the frolicsome. porpoises splasliiriir bii the sunny sea. It seemed, from tlio confusidri of tongues, that tho mob of every nation had met together, and sent each ah efivoy to this ''Assembly of Freo Agency." A inong them especially wcro to be secti life Uark, devil-oyed Mexican, and the brawny, scowling mulatto. Such was tho pirate. The wars of Spain and her American colonies had given anew and dangerous impulse to lawless adventure. Tho "profession" of piracy rose to a fatal rank, and, among the rest, "Tho Flower of the Sea" became known as tlio "Scourge of the Southern Wave." Her name carri ed terror far among tho islands rind tho very ports of the Pacific. Swift and daring,she V set capture at defiance, and laughed at pur suit. Many a boastful cruiser had felt her powers in tho running fight, before sho left him "hull down" astern. Many an hon est mariner had espied at dusk a speck of a Sail prowling on tho red edge of the hori zon, and ere the evening star had set, With a blaze and hurrah! the pirato was Upon him 1 Beneath an awning on the quarter deck, reclined a fierce man, under tho comriton height, but of powerful fiame. Full whilo trowsers, girded smooth and close around tho waist with a crimson belt, scarcely hid tho outline of a leg too largo to be called handsome; A pair of Morocco slippers completed his dress, leaving bare a broad shaggy chest, and muscular arms of Hercu lean size. Two largo pistols and a long, glittering knife, which weapons ho never laid aside, wcro stuck into his belt. Ilia fobe, almost covered by whiskers and mus taches of enormous growth, was terrible as the storm of ihe desert. An eye that would scare a murderer's gHdst back to his sheet less gibbet glared intensely under a bushy mass of hair tliat overhung his brows: Such was Bernardo; the pirate chief. Ho commenced his villainy in early youth, by murdering an aged and only relative iri Ja maica, his native land ; he fled, arid became a freebooter. Growing more daring and desperate as blood thickened on his hands, ho now acknowledged no superior in crime but his great master, the devil, and was of ten heard in his drunken revelry, to vow a hard fight for empire with that potentate on the sulphurous Styx! Feared and hated by his gang, trie ten ure of his authority was tho sabre's pdint; yet he maintained his sway by that consu- malc boldness and cunning, which men of his rank and call nig never want. The glance of tlic chief darted restlessly from timo t'd time among his tanielcss crew, and then, like the panther in ambush, travelled keen ly around the horizon. nigh amid the angry oaths of a knot of gamblers, at iho forecastle, aroso Ihelcrufii voice of Antonio, a gigantic mulatto'; of a most villainous aspect. Inferior to none but Bernardo in piratical accomplishments, lie was acknowledged second in power, and no oiib dared to dispute his claim. Oppo site him sat a wild-looking, long-haired youth; of slender but active form. His fea tures were onco singularly handsorrio, but a companionship' of vice and his dwn uritd med passions, had lent him the reckless bearing of tho outlaw. His losses were rapid and heavy: with an impatieht curse he threw down his last stake; the cards were played; the mulatto won, and swept tho gold into his pocket with a fiend's laiighi " Antonio, yoii are ab'asb' cheat," mutter ed the youth, grinding his teeth with pas sion. "la cheat?" returned Antonio, rising wrathfully. "Look you, Arnold Kell, when a man calls me so, a man, mind you,- this is hiy answer," touching the handlo of his knife; "but when a cross boy, I correct him, as would his mother, thiis," and with his open hand sent the youth reeling back wards. With a scream liko thp wild-cat iri her rage, the young man flashed his knife in the sun and bounded at his huge antagonist. Ill an instant his uplifted arm was stilled, arid liis naked throat clutched in the vice like grasp of Antonio. "Die like a puppy d y6U arej Unworthy of bullet or steel," growled the ruthless negro, and he laughed hideoiisly at tho starting eyes and hanging tdnguo of the gasping Arnold. Tho crew rushed towards them, and Antonio, bent on the death of his victim; stept back. The strangling boy in his last flucfc, tripped his foo dexteriously as ho retreated. Antonio' loosed his hold and caught vainly at tho shrouds'; wildly, triumphantly did Arnold send homo his knifo in rapid succession; and ere tho mulatto fcll his heart's blood was smoking on tlio deck. Tho maniac yell of the victor was followed by tho ciirse, tho death-rattlo of tho fallen! "Hell and furies!" thundered Bernardo, throwing a'sido tho crowd, "who dares m'y authority on this deck? who has dono this deed?" "I,'' said the youth, holding up his reek ing blade, "I, Arnold Kcll, sent the devil to his home." " Then after him with this message from me," and Bernardo's pistol glittered at his head. " He was right," muttered twenty voic es, and as many knives started from their sheaths. As the crippled snake in its angry pain, so did Bernardo turn on his rebellious gang His eye flashed fierce as tlio lightning's blaze on eyes as fierce as his. Mad with rage, yet fully awaro of the spirits over whom he held his wavering asce'ridchcy,the wily chief searched for ari instailt the dark faces around. I " Is there a man," said he, with lofty ve hemence, "who has joined this daring mu tiny, that will say when your chief forgot his duty? When has the sweeping "storm burst over us that I guided not the helm? When has the lightning lit upon the mid night surge; that I trcniblcd at its glare? When iias tho fight dyed the sea with blood that my sabro was not there? Arid who was at my side in all this? Tlicre he lies; tho murdered A rltbrijdi Who so fearlcscly sprung aloft when the hurricane rent trie fluttering canvas ? Who so true to cripple tho flying prize? Who was before him to leap on the streaming deck? Who, when the kneeling coward prayed for histrcmblirig life, so quick to stop his tongue as Antbnio? " Dead merf tell no tales." A murmur of approbation was heard. Bernardo eyed Arnold with hellish joy. 5 Arid who," continued ho "is his lnutdcr- rer? A stray cur that has swam off to us With a rope ab'oiit his neck. A weak fool, who sleeps on his watch, and starts and mutters of his father and his home, whose womari'd tongue preached pity Aq men liko you, when your'knives aro-cuttingthe way to victory lid lids basely killed' your brave companion, whb'se life was worth hundfed such cowards as he! What says our law? "Life for life; blobd for blood." the stern words of the Idw were repeat ed by all in a lono that sllsriced mercy. Arnold heard his doom with scorn. "Coward as I have been called," said he haughtily, "I will not ask dogs for a life worth less than this dead jackal!," spurning the huge coise of Antonio. "I ask for 'death, but let it be on the decks of the eit cmy.'' ''The law, the law! Blood for blood!" interrupted Bernardo. Tho ominous sentence was whispered again, like the hollow thieat of the mid night wind. A shudder thrilled the frame of the doom ed; for an instant iri that dicad moment,his eyo sought tho bright, still sky one bitter tear stole down and trembled on his lip; he thought of his far home, his childhood's song, his mother's smile but again defi ance mantled on his brow; dark and fearless he looked on tho seckbrs of his blood. " I must die; but ere I go; I'll hurl ih'o lie back to the teeth of the damned one that spoko it," said he,' bending a hateful glance dt tho chief. "It becomes him well to call me cur and coward, who carrie from the womb squeaking a curse on men; who grew and fattened on his kindred's blood." " Fdol! do' you beard riio here?" cried the furious Bernardo, flashing a pistol in the face of tho youth. The excited crew closed between them, when Arnold drew his bloodstained knife, and sprang up the mainmast. "Whoever follows," shouted ho "shall leap with mb from the mast head." Tho fearful brawl was arrested by Ih'e Hurried cry of 'ja sail, a sail, on tho lar board bow." Iri an instant, all was bustle. Away to tho west, a dark streak on the sea maiked tho coming wind. Just within its edge, a large brig was seen bearing due South under full sail. "Sho will escape us by this cutsed calm" growled Bernardo, ' What coltfrs!" "American," returned the lookout. ",A prize, but not for us.'' Tho dead Antonio was hastily thrown overboard, with a shot fastened to his heels, and his blood carefully washed off tho deck. It was no time to resume the quarrl, and Arnold reriiained. sullen and unmolestdd. Bernardo strode the deck Impatiently, watch ing the distant sail, like tho shark when he sees his prey sporting in tlio shoal water. 'Ha!" said lie, stopping short, "perhaps they have Christian charity; up with a sig nal of distress! Down below, all; arid be ready." The orders were .promptly obeyed. True to thb appedl of humanity, the devoted brig wore round, and steered directly for the pirate. It was a moment of intense anxiety. The brig held her course for half an hour, when suddenly there was d confu sion bli board; sho hauled off and crowded sail! With a stamp of race the chief or dered his men on deck. The dreaded black flag was run up, and the long gun cleared away for tho chase. Presently tho approa ching wind played and whirled capriciously on the billows; the first light puff awoke the sleeping sails, and the. pirate schooner slipped noiselessly albng. As the young breeze grew into a steady wind, the accur sed black banner unwrapped its gloomy field, and streamed alee; the foam parted wide from tho bow, and it was soon evi dent that she gained rapidly on the brig. ("Give them the hot iron," shouted tho chief. "But where is Antonio? where is your gunner now? shall his rriurdeicr es cape? Curses; deep arid angry, wero heard, and many vengeful looks wcro fastened on tho condemned youth, perched in tho rig ging. The politic .Bernardo1 stept forward to try His skill; he sighted carefully along the piece as the schooner yawed, and gave the order to fire. The liglit craft trembled under the bellowing discharge; but the brig kept on unharmed. A broadside of oaths followed the gun's discharge. After a hot chase of an hour the figure of a man was distinctly seen at tho helm of the flying vessel; he stood fearless and alone. Again the long gun blazed away; as the smoke swept astern, the pirates shouted to see the forctopmast falling to the leeward A few more rapid and well aimed shots, and the ill-fated brig was crippled and unman ageable: The pirate hove to, within pistol shot. Two boat3 were lowered, and in stantly filled with whooping, ferocious wretches. Into the foremost sprang Ber nardo; he stood eagerly in the bowj with a pistol cocked in one Hand and a heavy sabre in the other. With a howl like hun civ wolves they pulled for the prize. A silence, dread as the famished lion before ho wakes, reigned aboard her. A small crew stood around their captain on the qriarterdeck; a single swivelj a few old muskets, and a sabre or two, with tho usual sailor knife, were their only arms. A po w erful emotion agitated their leader; ho trem bled, but it was not the coward's quail; his face was deadly pale; but fear blanced it riot; his words Quivered through bloodless lips, brit they breathed not of terror or dis may. It was the energy of a dauntless soul mastering its physical tenement. Ho looked on his faithful crew with thoughts' that pen cannot portray. "My men," said he, in a low and anx ious tone, "we may soon bo at anchor in a foreign port, but before we set sail, if any man has aught to say of me, let him speak his mind. When my poor, wild son left his father to go I know not where', my ves sel became my home 5 I havo tried to do my duty as an honest skipper should I love you all, would die for you." "Wo love you; will dlo for you," burst from tho affected tats. "My gallant boys, I th'ank you; fight till the last planks hold together; remember your wives and sweethearts. I am good for a dozen of the villains!" One full bold cheer was the answer "'Take the forcrriost boat, fire!" shputed the master of tho brig, discharging his mus ket, which was followed by a sheet of flame from the swivel and small arms of tlrV men. The effect was terrible; a yell of agony arose; llornardo tumbled heavily over the bow. The shattered boat fillsd and went down, leaving a dense niass of dead, woun ded, and cursinc pirates j'n tlio blond- wave. But before the bravo crew could relbad, tho other boat was alongside the brig, and a third was putting off frorn the scnooner. ihe pirates poured on deck; their wild cries and horrid blasphemies rent the air, but not less terriflic was the peal ing hurrah! of the impetuous captain, as ho whirled his sabre over his head. " Fight for yo'u lives; your skipper and your craft, we are one to ten my brave boysj but I am good for d dozen." tor a moment the pirates hesitated. It was a thrilling pause. It is dreadful to war against hope, but the struggle Is the more terrible. Another bond leaped crl board and the fight closed like tho meeting of whirlwinds. Then came the hot strife of life and death in its fiercest shape the scream the blaze the clash tho grasp the death hug the jetting blood the heavy fall and the last groan. The sail ors fought with the fierceness of revenge and the recklessness1 of despair. Many a' loul pirate gasped las last curse on that dear-bought prize. But Ho courage could withstand the overwhelming numbers of tho buccaneers. One by one, a deep plunge told that a son of the ocean Wad sinking iri liis ocean grave The pirates wero masters of tlie brig; the' intrepid captain alone remained; yet still his sabre whirled its circle of death; still tHe stirrinc thurider of his voico chee'red his men to victory. Hb looked a roiind; arid they were gone! A Jew scald irig tear's travelled with funeral pace over his gory cheek. , " All gone but me? my poor boys" said he, Sorrowfully, 'you Hid your duty, ,and the great skipper 'that sails aloft won't for-' get you, when all hands are called on decli to report their watch." Faint and wound ed, he cut his staggering way to the cabin. "Take him alive, talie hint alive! ho shall die by inches," shouted a husky voice, which the pirates recognized to bo that of Bernardo. Pale, wet, and bleeding, he climed on board; a ragged piece of scalp hung over his right eyo and temple; his left arm fell splintered and powerless by his side. "Take him alive," again he cried hoarse with passion, "for vengeance I must liave.V , . After a sanguinary struggle, the heroic cdptain was taken arid bound. The brig was plundered, and set on fire; the greedy element darted its wiry tongue up the rig ging, and dressed the vessel in flame. Tho pirates with their prisoner and booty! put off for their sthb'oner, heedless of the im ploring cries of their wounded comrades bii tlie burning prize. , In a few minutes more; "The Fldwcr of tlie Sea" fell obediently to the wind, set tling fully .and gracefully to one side, and bore rapidly away. The ill-fated prisoner was dragged with' curses before the chief, on tho quarter-deck their eyes met in one long look of hate. "What is our loss?" inquired Bernardo, turning to his men. "Twenty-seven missing, ' waG the an swer. , . . , , What! has a handful of villains florid ail this? Fc'ol! what do you expect?" roar ed Bernardo, looking fury at his erect and scornful captive. , , '. fhat which you know I fear hotj-2 death!" was the reply. At the sound of that voice, a quick, bro ken ciy m'igh'i have been heard from aloft, but for the noise of the vessel speeding on her way. 'Yes, boasting dog, death ydu shall have, but it shall be with hot iron in your hissing flesh, and burning brimstone in your cursed rrouth." "Cut-throat coward" ( . ( , "Silence! my revenge is' riot to be cheat ed by words'. Look at me; do you not owe trie a long debt of vengeance? Look at this damned scar!" " I fired that ball; would it had struck your bram." A
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