1815 - Piratical vessels

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1823 Piratical Vessels 393

vain did the poor fellow implore their mercy. They dragged him from his occupation, and instantly spritsail-yarded him, having secured him in a position to offer the fairest mark ; these infamous villains amused themselves for 20 minutes, slightly wounding him at every shot before their savage pastime was surfeited, and the coup de grace inflicted. Against these men Captain Walcott had now to act. The pirate was cruising off the city of Baracoa, and was described as a very fast-sailing schooner ; but as almost all the trade of Cuba, at least the coasting trade, is carried on in vessels of this description, Captain Walcott became apprehensive that she might, by disguise, escape his vigilance ; he therefore offered the American pilot 1000 dollars to remain with him ; for, independently of the disguise which might be practised, two men-of-war schooners, belonging to the Spanish government, were cruising off the coast, and by pursuing these the pirate might escape. The pilot, however, refused ; for he declared it impossible to capture the schooner by the boats, and that failing of success he would become known as the informer, and be obliged to relinquish his situation as pilot in the old Bahama channel. On the 31st of March the Tyne and Thracian, being off Baracoa, the pirate was discovered. The English men-of-war were instantly disguised as merchant ships, their sails being set in a slovenly manner, and they stood in under easy sail to close with the schooner. For three hours this succeeded ; at the expiration of that time the pirate was seen to crowd all sail for the harbour of Mata : the disguise was abandoned, and every stitch of canvass crowded in chase.

At 1 h. 30 m. p.m. the schooner anchored, and moored head and stern athwart the harbour, her broadside commanding the entrance which was not more than a cable's length, and wearing the royal colours of Spain. The boats of the Tyne and Thracian were instantly hoisted out, manned and armed, the total number of men being 47 ; and Captain Walcott duly considering all the consequences of failure from the information already given, resolved to head this desperate enterprise himself ; leaving Captain Roberts in command of the ships, and desiring him to do his utmost to close with the pirate in order to afford all assistance. At 3 p.m. the boats arrived within gun-shot, when all thought of subterfuge was abandoned by the pirate, the black flag was hoisted, and a spirited cannonade commenced. Cayatano Arogonez by way of strengthening his position, had landed some of his crew with small-arms, and these men, sheltered by the trees which grew close to the shore of the harbour, opened a very harassing fire upon the assailants. In the mean time the boats continued to approach, and the crowded deck of the schooner became visible ; for three quarters of an hour the English sustained the fire of the pirate and of the men on shore,

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