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Show lllO SCOTT WATSON (. 196, Western Newspaper Union.) Mary Read, the Woman Pirate '"pHE history of piracy lists at least three women's names among the prominent "brethren of the coast" Mary Read, Anne Bonny, the "wife of Calico Jack Rackham, and Maria Cot ham, the "wife" of Captain Cobham but of the three, Mary Read Is perhaps per-haps the most interesting character. She was born in London of obscure parentage, although it Is said that her mother was a "young and airy widow." She was brought up as a boy and at the age of thirteen became a footboy for a French lady. But life In this household was too quiet for Mary so she ran away to sea and enlisted en-listed on a man-of-war. Next she Is listed as a deserter and soon afterwards after-wards we find her enlisted in a regiment regi-ment of infantry to fight in Flanders. Desiring a change, she left the foot soldiers and enlisted In a regiment of cavalry where she fell in love with one of her fellow troopers, a Fleming, to whom she disclosed the secret of her sex. They were married and after obtaining a discharge opened an Inn, the Three Horsehoes, near the castle of Breda. Then Mary's husband died and she once more put on a man's attire and enlisted in a regiment In Holland. Again she deserted and shipped on a vessel for the West Indies. When this ship was captured by Calico Jack Rackham, the pirate, Mary decided that a bit of pirating would be a welcome variation of her checkered career, so she willingly enrolled en-rolled in his company of cutthroats. Soon afterwards Captain Rackham sailed to the Bahamas and took advantage ad-vantage of the royal pardon offered all pirates who would give themselves up. Then Mary enlisted on a privateer sent out by Got Woodes Rogers to prey upon the Spanish shipping and she had a prominent part In the mutiny which resulted in her becoming becom-ing a pirate again. Again she sailed under the leadership leader-ship of Calico Jack, who by this time had with hlra that other celebrated woman pirate, Anne Bonny. Among one of the prisoners taken near Jamaica was a "young fellow of engaging en-gaging behavior," and Mary's heart succumbed to his charms. This man became engaged In a quarrel with one of the pirates and, according to pirate law, they prepared to go ashore and fight it out. But Mary, to save her lover, picked a quarrel with the pirate, then and there forced a figbt upon him and dispatched him with 3word and pistol. Having proved her devotion in this Amazon fashion, she married the young fellow, but not long after the whole pirate crew were taken prisoners. Mary was tried with the rest, convicted and sentenced to death but died of the fever In prison before the gallows could claim her. |