The Mystery of the Pirate Ship

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 19

The Mystery of the Pirate Ship

—Prize— John Mills, millionaire, made his way one night to one of the wharves neighbouring his flats. He was in an evident hurry, and did not notice two figures lurking in the fog. Out of the darkness, the two, dressed in sailors’ garb, loomed, and the millionaire hurried on to the deck of a dirty tramp vessel Then the two men attacked him, and, rendering him unconscious, carried him into one of the cabins of the vessel. Some hours later, Mills recovered, to find himself lying bound, hand and foot, on a bunk. Sneering down at him was a ruffian dressed in the customary uniform of a ship’s captain. •‘Do you know me, John Mills?” asked the man in a voice unusual for such a person. “No, I do not know you, nor wish to know you, returned Mills contemptuously. “Now, do you know me?” sneered the captain pulling a beard from his “Roberts! So you have come for revenge,” said Mills slowly. “Yes. and for the seven jewels of the Circle of Seven,” returned the scowling man. "You will not get them from me,” said Mills. “We shall see,” said Roberts. "Hoist the Bones, lads,” yelled Roberts and several of the crew sent the pirates’ flag aloft. Mills, now free of his bonds, came on to the deck and saw the crew. “You will soon be attended to, my dear Mills,” said the pirate. Soon the ship put in at an African port where Roberts knew he was safe. Late in the evening, Roberts and three men went ashore, and some hours later they returned with seven men, draped in the finest of robes and cowls. These men were the Circle of Seven, who, years ago, had been robbed by Mills and Roberts. The two had escaped but Roberts had been caught by police, who had put him on Devil’s Island for a former crime. Mills, quick as thought, locked the door of the stoutest cabin, and extracted a revolver from a drawer. The captain and the seven men came to the door, but could not open it. Mills fired through the door and wounded the captain. The crew were called up, and silence reigned for a while. Bang ! They were using a battering-ram, so Mills, wrapping bullets up in his handkerchief, dived into the sea. When he found himself m the sea, a great black fin cut the surface, and Mills shivered. Sharks ! But the fish had missed him, and he arrived safely at the shore. A little native boy was playing on the sand, and Mills approached him. The little boy fled into the palm-trees, and hid up a tree for he was afraid of the man. Coiled round the tree was a large black cobra, a deadly reptile, and, Mills, perceiving the imminent danger of the boy, killed the snake with a stick. The boy, still shy, led him to a hut further away from the shore and gave him some honey and milk. , . , , t, r „ Mills watched the vessel for a while, and suddenly, a c - an J olu ’ brok out on board. Yells of pain, mingled with revolver shots, echoed across the waters and then silence. , “I wonder what has happened,” muttered Mills. The native boy was jabbering in a strange tongue and pointing to a box that stood m the corner of the hut. Mills found a wireless set in it, everything intact, and put it ready for use. Armed with a knife and his revolver, Mills led the boy to the shore and indicated the ship. t The boy nodded, and silently the two swam out to the MeTlay on the deck in pools of blood, while the men of the Circle of Seven stood round the bodies. “It is safe for you, Mills amigo,” said the leader of the men as he saw Mills’ head raised above the bulwarks, “Come with me, and sec what the man Roberts has been doing.” Mills followed the men into the a nd found some of England's and Americas richest men bound to the bi . Mil’s was able to pick up a passenger vessel by the wireless and tell the captain that the vessel was rendered derelict, and that Michael Roberts, al Blackboard, was imprisoned on the vessel. , All the rich men were set free and Blackbeard was sent to Devils Island whence he did not escape again. The little native boy came to England with Mills and proved himself a faithful servant. —2/6 and 4 marks to Cousin James Lynch (14), Main Street, Otautau.

—Highly Commended.— The sun was sinking slowly in the west as Jim Bycroft, the son of one of the wealthy merchants in Portsmouth, hurried quickly over the rugged cliffs that led to his home. The sea looked calm and peaceful, the sinking sun giving it a golden appearance. Overhead flocks of seagulls flew along, uttering harsh cries now and then. _ Jim was sixteen years old, and lived in a smal. cottage with his Aunt Eliza. He was a handsome lad with a well-shaped, lithe b °On the following day Jim was called to his father’s office. . “Jim,” he said, “I have something important to tell you, so listen attentively. , , “Many years ago before you were born, a pirate ship appeared round about the Spanish Main, and started to sack and plunder many towns. This boat was named The Mystery Pirate Ship, because no one knew who owned it or whence it came. . “One night the leader of the pirates attacked a small port near the Amazon river. In the melee that followed my father was killed.” Here the speaker broke down, but after a few minutes’ pause he continued. “Ever since that day I have sworn to go in quest of the pirate who is still roaming about. Next week we shall set out in the Firefly, the vessel I have bought.” Jim was so excited that he could not keep still and started capering round the room. “Mind you,” his father called, "it’s not an easy job.” Never did the days seem to be longer than during that week. At last the morning came for them to go. As he stood looking back at Portsmouth, little did he dream how long it would be before he returned. The Firefly was a large sailing vessel fortressed with sixty guns. The crew numbered 250 men all told. Each man had a cutlass,, and two double-barrelled pistols. A few days later, they passed through the Bay of Biscay, being fortunate to escape storms. After a month’s weary voyage over the Atlantic, they passed through a small cluster of islands off the American coast. Here the water gave out, so Jim, his father and some of the crew landed for fresh supplies. Having filled the barrels, the men were returning when a band of cannibals fell on them. With loud cries the natives fought, their flight of spears killing three men and wounding two. Bravely the men defended themselves, while Jim, showing great courage, was fighting stolidly. Just as it seemed that they would be defeated another band came to the rescue. Out-numbered now, the natives fled, leaving dozens of dead and dying men on the ground. Hurriedly Jim and the men raced back to the ship, in case another attack was launched. They reached the ship safely, however. Their water supply now filled, they sailed away from the island. For two days they sailed aimlessly about, hoping to find the pirate. On the morning of the fourth day a sail was sighted. Instantly all eyes were turned towards the stranger, which was yet a mere speck on the horizon. As it came nearer, the skull and crossbones could be seen on the flag. Jim’s father knew it was the pirate ship because it was painted black. Quickly preparations were made, the powder and muskets served out, and the guns hauled into place. Everything was ready, and the men stood waiting eagerly. “Bang! Bang!” Shots whistled over the Firefly, luckily missing. “Get ready! Fire I” A whole battery of guns boomed out. “Crash!”

earnest, grape-shot flying everywhere. Jim stood on the deck watching the fight when a bullet from a swivel gun glanced across his forehead, causing him to stumble and fall over the side. The cool water brought him to his senses with a start. Swiftly he looked round to find himself at the side of the mystery All at once he had an idea. Clambering over the side, he stole quietly up to the poop. The pirates were not looking in his direction, so there was no fear of discovery. When he reached the bridge he found a large swivel gun standing there loaded. As there, were no pirates guarding it he trained it on the mass below, and lit the fuse. “Bang!” With a deafening roar the gun went off. When the smoke cleared Jim looked eagerly at the pirates. To his surprise, about fifty men lay dead on the deck. Seeing that he had killed a great many of the crew, the rest surrendered. The Firefly sailed up and her crew captured the rest. , “Who is the leader of this vessel? asked Jim’s father. One of the pirates pointed over his shoulder to a man sitting on a barrel at the other end of the deck. Jim’s father rushed to the man who had now risen. “Dick Trueman,” he gasped, you hound!” , A look of mingled hatred and cowardice came into Trueman’s face. “Yes, it’s me,” he snarled. “I have sworn to get you, and Ive done it,” said Bycroft. “I’ll give you a fair chance. We’ll have a fight with rapiers. If you win you get your freedom. If I win, well—”. Here he shrugged his shoulders and stopped. Having chosen their swords, the two got ready. The crew had already formed a large ring for them to fight in and stood waiting. With a roar Trueman rushed at Jim’s father, being confident of victory. Bycroft neatly parried the thrust and wounded the pirate in the arm. Trueman was now wild with rage, and lunged out savagely. For a .while the combat went on evenly, but it was evident that Trueman was tiring. Suddenly Bycroft slipped on a patch of blood. Trueman saw his chance and took it; but Jim’s father was ready. When Trueman rushed, he dodged aside and thrust his sword through his heart. With a thud he felt to the deck, lifeless. The mystery was now cleared. Mr Bycroft had been at the same school as Trueman, who was always bullying the small children. As he. grew up he had got into bad company, and became a pirate. He was the pirate that had killed Jim’s grandfather, and now Mr Bycroft’s revenge was complete. In the hold of the ship were found chests of treasure, from the plundered towns. Next year the adventurers returned home and as they landed, the people gave them a ringing cheer. Jim and his father were now rich for life, so they settled down quietly at Portsmouth. —3 marks to Cousin Desmond Stone (12), 14 Morton road, Invercargill. —Commended. — Roving the sea in a ship called the Sea Scavenger were a band of pirates under Captain All Scowl. He was a rakish man with a long beard, possessing abnormal brain power, and surpassing cunning. He was of a scowling disposition, with anything but a smiling countenance. Many sailors had walked the deck at his request and many had been slaves to him for years. One day some time ago I was on the sea with the White Hawk when it was pursued by All Scowl and his reckless crew. We were some miles from it when it turned to the left and was seen no'more for three days. When at last it was seen it was approximately two miles north of us. We then saw a golden opportunity of turning into port to purchase some more boats for pursueing All Scowl. He had during this period robbed two other ships whose lucky crews were let free. When we came in contact with them they were seeking revenge, so with these new comrades we set out after him. But as I have said he was a very intelligent man and we found out later that he and his crew had taken the trouble to repaint and rename his ship the Cunning Jenny. That is how the story is known as the Mystery of the Pirate Ship, and it was

Down came the enemy’s mizzen mast. The crew were shouting in glee, when a cannon-ball dropped clean in the middle of the boat, smashing the bridge and cabin, also killing about a dozen men. The battle was now on in grim

a mystery to us who had chased it and even passed it as our enemy. —1 mark to Cousin Billy Kerr, (13) Riversdale.

There was once a ship sailing on the sea, and its name was the Golden Vanity. It was on its way to England. It was only a little ship and one day was sailing softly along when the captain saw a ship sailing, towards them. This was the Red Rover, and it was a very big ship, with a lot of men on board; but the Golden Vanity only had a few men. The Red Rover fired the first shot, then the captain of the Golden Vanity started his men firing. They fought for about three hours. The Red Rover won, having the most men. There was only two men left. They came on to the Golden Vanity and took all their gold. Then they pushed the other two over board. ■ —1 mark to Cousin Harry Smith (8) Section 8, Glencoe R.D