The Book of Pirates and Highwaymen by Cate Ludlow Read Free Book Online

Julie, we are describing, was in reality a stout vessel of war, expressly fitted out by a band of adventurers who formed her desperate crew, for piracy and marauding, and previous to the storm which drove her into St Domingo, had been in a complete state of warlike readiness to grapple even with armed vessels of much superior rate; and the merchandize and valuables saved from her when stranded, were the result of many rich captures. La Force, who with courteous and specious manners glossed over the blackest heart that perhaps ever animated the human frame, was a pirate of the most determined and fearless character, and of disposition more cruel and relentless than was usual, even amongst the desperadoes of his own class.
    De Tracy, in the sincerity and openness of his heart, suspected no guile in others, and in an evil hour determined to avail himself of the Julie being ready for sea, and take his projected passage to the Bahamas under the conduct of the pirate La Force and his band of miscreants. It should be told, that from the first landing of La Force from his wicked vessel, De Tracy, with his wonted kindness, had bade him a cheerful welcome to the comforts of his house and table, and the charming family. La Force, ever alert in desperate villany, was, like the adder of the old fable, scarcely warmed with the hospitality that sheltered and protected him, ere he sat down coolly to calculate the possibility of undermining and destroying for ever the peace and happiness of his benefactor: the ties of moral obligation would with La Force have weighed but little to prevent his insulting the virtue and modesty of De Tracy’s wife and daughters; but in spite of his infamous passions, this diabolical intention readily gave way to a plan of a still blacker hue, of a more sweeping and comprehensive mischief.
    The stay of De Tracy’s family in the Bahamas being determined to be of several months, it was judged necessary to their convenience, as well as a prudent measure of security, to take with them the greatest part of the family plate, jewels, &c. as well as a considerable sum in specie to answer the calls of purchases and current expenses. On the forcible seizure of this treasure, the murder of its owner, and the brutal gratification of his hellish designs on his wife and daughters, to obtain these ‘at one fell swoop,’ it was that the insatiate demon La Force had set his mind!
    The treasure was shipped under the gloating eye of La Force himself, and the unsuspecting victims being embarked, the Julie bore from these beloved scenes of his happiness, for ever, the ill-fated De Tracy. The vessel left the harbour amid the shouts of the assembled population of the estate, who shed tears of unaffected regret at their departure, and poured out prayers for their safety. A favourable light wind and smooth sea soon wafted the Julie from the multitude on the shore, and De Tracy, his wife, his children, his wealth, his all! were now in the hands and at the mercy of the ferocious La Force!
    The confinement and sameness of a sea voyage were rendered less annoying to the family of De Tracy than they usually are, by the attentions of La Force; he joined in all their recreations, and afforded every facility to the indulgence of them. Much of the time was spent in conversation, in music, dancing, and in walking on deck enjoying the cool evening breezes; and when the dews of evening obliged them to descend to the cabin, the captain would entertain them with a relation of the various dangers which himself and other persons had encountered at sea, or detail, with an amusing gravity, some of the prevailing superstitions of sailors.
    One delightfully clear morning, when they were in hourly expectation of making the land, La Force announced to De Tracy, that it was his intention to make that day a general festival, it being the anniversary of his birth. His orders were issued to the crew, and the ship’s steward received his instructions to make