186 D E A T H OF A PIRATE.
rently in mortal agony. I felt as if refreshed by the cold perspiration
that oozed from every pore, and I reflected that though alone, I was well
armed, and might hope for the protection of the Almighty.
Humanity whispered to me that, if not surprised and disabled, I might
render assistance to some sufferer, or even be the means of saving a useful
life. Buoyed up by this thought, I urged my canoe on shore, and seizing
it by the bow, pulled it at one spring high among the grass.
The groans of the unfortunate person fell heavy on my ear, as I cocked
and reprimed my gun, and I felt determined to shoot the first that
should rise from the grass. As I cautiously proceeded, a hand was raised
over the weeds, and waved in the air in the most supplicating manner.
I levelled my gun about a foot below it, when the next moment, the head
and breast of a man covered with blood were convulsively raised, and a
faint hoarse voice asked me for mercy and help ! A death-like silence
followed his fall to the ground. I surveyed every object around with
eyes intent, and ears impressible by the slightest sound, for my situation
that moment I thought as critical as any I had ever been in. The croakings
of the frogs, and the last blackbirds alighting on their roosts, were
the only sounds or sights; and I now proceeded towards the object of my
mingled alarm and commiseration.
Alas ! the poor being who lay prostrate at my feet, was so weakened
by loss of blood, that I had nothing to fear from him. My first impulse
was to run back to the water, and having done so, I returned with my
cap filled to the brim. I felt at his heart, washed his face and breast, and
rubbed his temples with the contents of a phial, which I kept about me
as an antidote for the bites of snakes. His features, seamed by the ravages
of time, looked frightful and disgusting ; but he had been a powerful
man, as the breadth of his chest plainly shewed. He groaned in the most
appalling manner, as his breath struggled through the mass of blood that
seemed to fill his throat. His dress plainly disclosed his occupation:—a
large pistol he had thrust into his bosom, a naked cutlass lay near him on
the ground, a red silk handkerchief was bound over his projecting brows,
and over a pair of loose trowsers he wore fisherman's boots. He was, in
short, a pirate.
My exertions were not in vain, for as I continued to bathe his temples,
he revived, his pulse resumed some strength, and I began to hope that
he might perhaps survive the deep wounds which he had received. Park-
DEATII OF A PIRATE. 187
ness, deep darkness, now enveloped us. I spoke of making afire. " 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 between
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 managed
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