Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

16 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

BRITISH BUCCANEERS JLKB PRIVATEERS;…

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Rhannu

LÆt ICtgtits HeservecT.] BRITISH BUCCANEERS JLKB PRIVATEERS; THEIR DARING DEEDS AND ADVENTURES. BY HENRY FRITH, Author oj The Mystery of Moor Farm," The Blick Shaft," The Locl. (ceper's Secret4 c. THE EXPEDITION OF WOODES-ROGERS, MASTER MARINER. CHAPTER 1. NOW THE DUKE AND DUTCHESS" FOUITO ALEXANDER 8ELKIHK. ON the 2nd of August, 1708, the King's-road (Bristol) was a scene of lively suggestion, for there were ready for sea a small fleet of ships a,bout to sail for Cork. Of the ten vessels, we are principally con- cerned with two, named respectively the Duke" and Dutchess." The former was three hundred and twenty tons burden, and carried thirty guns and one hundred and eighty-three men. The Dutchess," coneort, was of two hundred and sixty tons, twenty- six guns, and one hundred and fifty men. The "Duke," commanded by Captain Rogers, and the Dutchees by Captain Courteney, holding com- missions, were fitted out as privateers to war against the French and Spaniards. The vessels were put in commission by a Council, and carried a large propor- tion of officers, amongst whom we find William Dampier, now a penniless mariner, acting as pilot to the South Seas. There was also another well-known officer on board, a d,)ctor named Thomas Dover, "a captain of the Marines" (whom we would, with justice, call a surgeon-captain), the inventor of the celeorafed Dover's Powder." Certain shares were agreed upon, and when all preliminaries had been ad- justed, the ships cleared, and all aboard the two vessels sailed from Cork bound upon a privateering expedition. The composition of the crews was curious. Tailors, tinkers, pedlars, fiddlers, haymakers, and boys consti- tuted, with a number of foreigners, the ships' com- panies raw, undisciplined landsmen, to whom Rogers said, He would teach them the use of arms and to get their sea-legs." The Duke and Dutchess were escorted by men-of-war, and many social visits seem to have been paid. As our ships proceeded they nindo a capture off the Canaries-a Spanish vessel laden with liquor— and having dexterously cleared her," they stood away to TenerifTc, and St. Vincent. Finally the Duke and "Dntchess" anchored in nasty weather off Isle de Grande, in the Brazils. Thence, after some few adventures, they sailed round the Horn in stormy weather, and on the 31st of January, 1709, came in sight of Juan Fernandez. The sailors wanted rest and refreshment, and next day Captain Davis and the pinnace went ashore to look about. The hours pnssed. Night, fell, the boat had not returned, but as the light, faded the watch called the officer's attention to a light which appeared to be burning on the inland. What do you make of it?" said the captain to the pilot. ItV a Spanish device mayhap. Our men are entritpped." It may be the boat's lantern," suggested another man. It looms too large for that," was the pilot's answer. Give them one of the quarter-deck guns, and hang out the ship's lantern in the shrouds, to recall the pinnace," said Rogers. About, two o'clock a.m. the "Duke" was hailed by the Duchess," and the pinnace was found in tow. The boat was hoisted up, and the light was attri- buted to an enemy. Some French ships. We shall engage at day- light. Make ready." As day broke the frigates beat to quarters and tacked towards the distant shore to open up the bay in which the light had been discerned overnight. "Std by! Reef topsails," was the next order, as the wind increased, coming in sweeping gusts down the island gullies. The bay extends. All eyes are fixed upon the expanding stretch of water. Everyone is ready to meet the enemy the guns are cast loose, the matches are lighted, the men are at quarters. Ah! now, the word! But it did not come. The bay was empty. Not a ship of any description was visible. Astonishment seized upon everyone. Captain Dover and Mr. Fry, take the yawl, armed. We will try to get in. There may be a Spanish garrison yonder." The boat, fully armed, put off about noon, and the two ships kept standing off and on, awaiting her return. But as time passed, and no sign of the boat appeared, Captain Rogers signalled the shore, and the "Dutchess" ran up the French colours. Man the pinnace!" there cried Rogers. "The yawl may be captured. Be smart! Lower away! The crews of those days made nothing of lowering a boat, even in tempestuous seas and the pinnace was soon pulling away for the shore in pursuit of the yawl, which, however, immediately returned with a cargo of crabs and a passenger. What is this ? Who is the stranger ? were the questions put by everyone, as the boat approached. What sort of a man is this ? He is clad in skins, and seems to be a Wild Man of the Woods The boat came nearer and nearer, and the crews of the Duke and Dutchess" assembled to look at the queer specimen of humanity who was being taken on board the Duke." From the port-holes, the shrouds, the bulwarks, and the quarter-deck, faces full of curiosity were thrust forward to behold the wild man, and ears were strained to catch some words of his speech. To the still greater surprise of the men and officers the Wrfld Man both spoke and understood English, and he announced himself as Alexander Selkirk, late the master of the "Cinque Ports" galley, who had been put ashore by Stradling. That's more than four years past," exclaimed the pilot. I then was in command of the St. George: Stradling left us to sail his own course." Captain Dampier!" was the surprised exclama- tion of the wild man. Stradling would not receive me back. For four long years and four months I have resided alone upon yonder island." And you lighted the fire last night ?" Aye. I saw your ships and judged them English. Many a vessel have I seen pass while I was on the island, but only two Spanish ships came to anchor. They shot at me, but I escaped, choosing rather to die alone on the island than fali into their hands, lest they made a slave of me in the mines." "They gave chase to you?" asked one of the officers. Aye, indeed, but, being fleet of foot so that I can run down even the wild goats, I eluded them and hid myself in a tree. They neared me close, and stopped to slay some goats hard by, but they did not see me, and 1 escaped. There was by this time a large audience, each one very anxious to hear the adventures of this wild man —the original ltobinpon Crusoe, whose story Defoe obtained, no doubt, from Dampier, and wrote it out with all the evidences of a tale compiled from actual experiences. Many comments ware made upon Selkirk's state- ments, which were not immediately understood. Captain Rogers states that he had so much forgot his language for want of use that we could scarce understand him, for he seemed to speak his words by halves. We offered him a drain, but he would not touch it, having drank nothing but water since his being there, and it was some time before he could relish our victuals." By degrees, however, Selkirk was able to tell his rescuers all they desired to know, and his personal narrative is so interesting that we may give it as re- lated by Woodes-Rogers himself, it being even more interesting than that of Defoe, who adapted it. ALEXANDER SELKIRK'S NARRATIVE. II I was born in Lago, in the county of Fife, in Scot- land, and was bred a sailor from my youth. The reason I was left here was because of a difference between me and my captain, which as the ship was leaky also, made me wilhng to rather stay here than go along with him at first, and when I was willing he would not receive me. I had mv clothes and bedding, a firelock, some powder, bullets, and tobacco: a hatchet, a knife, a p ow kettle, a Bible, some practical pieces, mathematical instruments, and books. I diverted myself as much as I could, but had to bear up against melancholy and the terror of being left alone in such a desolate place. I built two huts, and oovered them with long grass, and lined them with the skins of goats that I killed as long as the powder lasted, being only a pound, and that being near spent, I got fire by rub- bing two pimento sticks together upon my knee. "In the lesser hut I dressed my victuals, in the larger I slept, and employed myself in reading, sing- ing Psalms, and praying. At first I ate nothing, till hunger constrained partflv from erief, partly from want of bread and salt, nor did I go to Led until I could watch no longer. The pimento wood. which burnt very clear, served for both fire and cal1.¡e. "When powder failed, I took the goats by of foot, and killed five hundred, besides mr.rVi"jr five I hundred nlote. I can cntch goats, but, T pursuing them with much eagerness, and Ml wiih the goat down the precipice a jrrext height, being stunned and braised, barely escaping with mv life. When I came to mv senses I found ihp (/a it. de.rd under me. I had lain there twenfy-fimr h<mvn. *.nd was scarce able to crawl to the hut or to stir nbmad for ten dnvs.

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CHAPTER II.

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[No title]

MARKETS. FARMING AND THE CORN…

LLANFAIR CAEREINION SHOW.

CORRESPONDENCE.

IUNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES,…

- THE LAW AS TO DOG BITES.

+ SHREWSBURY FLORAL FETE.

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I RAIL AND COACH EXCURSIONS

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CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.

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