The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 3Whymper, Frederick
History
The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 3
Whymper, Frederick
Adventure and adventurers; Arctic regions; Ocean; Voyages around the world
While Vane was upon this island a ship put in there from Jamaica for
water, the captain of which, one Holford, an old pirate, happened to be an
acquaintance of Vane’s. He thought this a good opportunity to get off, and
accordingly applied to his friend; but Holford absolutely refused him,
saying to him, “Charles, I can’t trust you on board my ship unless I carry
you as a prisoner, for I shall have you caballing with my men, knocking me
on the head, and running away with my ship pirating.” Vane made all the
protestations of honour in the world to him; but it seems Captain Holford
was too intimately acquainted with him to place any confidence in his
words or oaths. He told him he might easily get off if he had a mind to
it. “I am going down the bay,” said he, “and shall return hither in about
a month; and if I find you upon the island when I come back, I will carry
you to Jamaica and there hang you!” “How can I get away?” answered Vane.
“Are there not fishermen’s dories upon the beach? Can’t you take one of
them?” replied Holford. “What!” replied Vane; “would you have me steal a
dory, then?” “Do you make it a matter of conscience?” replied Holford, “to
steal a dory, when you have been a common robber and pirate, stealing
ships and cargoes, and plundering all mankind that fell in your way? Stay
here if you are so squeamish;” and he left him to consider the matter.
After Captain Holford’s departure another ship put into the small island,
on her way home, for some water. None of the company knowing Vane, he
easily passed his examination, and so was shipped for the voyage. One
would be apt to think that Vane was now pretty safe, and likely to escape
the fate which his crimes had merited; but here a cross accident happened
which ruined all. Holford, returning from the bay, was met by this ship,
and the captains being very well acquainted with each other, Holford was
invited to dine aboard, which he did. As he passed along to the cabin he
chanced to cast his eye down in the hold, and there saw Charles Vane at
work. He immediately spoke to the captain, saying, “Do you know whom you
have aboard there?” “Why,” said he, “I shipped the man the other day at an
island where he had been cast away, and he seems to be a brisk hand.” “I
tell you,” replied Captain Holford, “it is Vane, the notorious pirate.”
“If it be he,” replied the other, “I won’t keep him.” “Why, then,” said
Holford, “I’ll send and take him aboard, and surrender him at Jamaica.”
This being settled, Captain Holford, as soon as he returned to his ship,
sent his mate, armed, to Vane, who had his pistol ready cocked, and told
him he was his prisoner. No man daring to make opposition, he was brought
aboard and put into irons; and when Captain Holford arrived at Jamaica he
delivered up his old acquaintance to justice, at which place he was tried,
convicted, and executed, as was, some time before, Vane’s companion,
Robert Deal, who was brought thither by one of the men-of-war. “It is
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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