DEATH OF A PIRATE. 187 



ness, deep darkness, now enveloped us. I spoke of making a tire. " Oh ! 

 for mercy's sake," he exclaimed, " don't." Knowing, however, that under 

 existing circumstances it was expedient for me to do so, I left him, went 

 to his boat, and brought the rudder, the benches, and the oars, which 

 with my hatchet I soon splintered. I then struck a light, and presently 

 stood in the glare of a blazing fire. The pirate seemed struggling be- 

 tween terror and gratitude for my assistance ; he desired me several times 

 in half English and Spanish to put out the flames, but after I had given 

 him a draught of strong spirits, he at length became more composed. I 

 tried to staunch the blood that flowed from the deep gashes in his shoulders 

 and side. I expressed my regret that I had no food about me, but when 

 I spoke of eating he sullenly waved his head. 



My situation was one of the most extraordinary that I have ever been 

 placed in. I naturally turned my talk towards religious subjects, but, 

 alas, the dying man hardly believed in the existence of a God. " Friend," 

 said he, " for friend you seem to be, I never studied the ways of Him of 

 whom you talk. I am an outlaw, perhaps you will say a wretch, — I 

 have been for many years a Pirate. The instructions of my parents 

 were of no avail to me, for I have always believed that I was born to be 

 a most cruel man. I now lie here, about to die in the weeds, because I long 

 ago refused to listen to their many admonitions. Do not shudder when 

 I tell you — these now useless hands murdered the mother whom they had 

 embraced. I feel that I have deserved the pangs of the wretched death 

 that hovers over me ; and I am thankful that one of my kind will alone 

 witness my last gaspings." 



A fond but feeble hope that I might save his life, and perhaps assist 

 in procuring his pardon, induced me to speak to him on the subject. " It 

 is all in vain, friend — I have no objection to die — I am glad that the 

 villains who wounded me were not my conquerors — I want no pardon 

 from any one — Give me some water, and let me die alone. 



With the hope that I might learn from his conversation something 

 that might lead to the capture of his guilty associates, I returned from 

 the creek with another capful of water, nearly the whole of which I ma- 

 naged to introduce into his parched mouth, and begged him, for the sake 

 of his future peace, to disclose his history to me. " It is impossible," 

 said he, " there will not be time ; the beatings of my heart tell me so. 

 Long before day, these sinewy limbs will be motionless. Nay, there will 



