298 a wound. CONFESSION OF A GREEK PIRATE. Afterwards the brig's boat came alongside, with the four persons I had before mentioned. They were called upon the Mistico's deck, when the Maltese captain and the Greek passenger were sent down into the cabin, and the two seamen were sent into the hold. The hands and legs of the Maltese captain and Greek passenger were tied, the same was done to the two seamen. Immediately after Captain Panajotti ordered thirteen of the Mistico's crew to go on board of the Maltese brig. The names of some of them I recollect; these were Elia, nephew of Petro Bey; Capt. Mari, the Cephaloniote; Giorgi the Nostromo, a Spetziote; the son of Captain Panajotti, Cristodulo; Costantino, a Previsan; Mosca, a Corfiote; Pano, a Previsan, who is one of those in custody; Spiro, a Calavritan, another of those in custody; and Costantino di Giorgio, a Spetziote, the boy now in custody. I do not recollect the names of the others. I now remember another was Anagnosti, the brotherin-law of Captain Panajotti; and another named Nicola Lagonica, nephew of the captain; and another named Scartato, a Zantiote. They were CONFESSION OF A GREEK PIRATE. 299 all well armed with pistols, and large knives called attaghani. It was moon-light, and almost calm. 66 'As soon as they got on board of the Maltese brig, Anagnosti went to the poop of the brig and hailed Captain Panajotti, saying to him, ask the Maltese captain where the key of his chest is to be found.' Captain Panajotti answered, that the key was in a small drawer in the cabin, where the Maltese captain slept. The two vessels were very close to each other. Anagnosti, about three-quarters of an hour after, came again to the poop of the brig, and spoke to Captain Panajotti in the Albanese language, which I do not understand. Immediately after this I heard three pistol-shots fired; after which Capt. Panajotti ordered the crew of the Mistico that remained on board to go alongside and board the brig. The whole of the crew then went on board of the prize; and began to take out of her chests belonging to the captain and crew, sails, ropes, and many other things, which they put into the Mistico. An hour after the brig had been boarded, Captain Panajotti ordered all the people to return to the Mistico, except the 300 CONFESSION OF A GREEK PIRATE. thirteen persons who were first sent on board. I and five or six others did not board the brig: we remained in the Mistico to receive the things from her. Captain Panajotti ordered ten muskets to be given to the thirteen hands on board the brig, to defend themselves with. The vessels then separated; this was about midnight. The Mistico steered towards Vunaria, and the prize towards Capo Grosso. On our way towards Vunaria, Captain Panajotti ordered the deck to be cleared of the things taken out of the brig. After this was done, he ordered the crew to put the two Maltese seamen to death. They were then brought on deck and carried to the forecastle, and there put to death; but in what manner I cannot say, as I was astern on the poop, and did not see them. When this was done, the Greek passenger was brought upon deck, and Captain Panajotti asked him what money he possessed. The passenger replied, he had only thirty dollars. The Greek said to the Captain, don't put me to death, because I am a Christian, like you; you are quite right to kill the Maltese dogs, those you have killed,—because they dont like us at all.' Upon this, Captain CONFESSION OF A GREEK PIRATE. 301 Panajotti said, 'take this man also forward,' meaning to say that he was to be put to death with the others. After this, Captain Panajotti went astern, and called to Gregorio, (one of those now in custody), who was in the cabin, and had tied the Maltese captain and Greek passenger, and stood guard over them. He desired him to bring the Maltese captain upon deck; which he did, and brought him to the middle of the vessel. At this time Captain Panajotti asked the Maltese captain what sum of money he had in his chest. he had in his chest. He answered him, he had one thousand seven hundred and seventy dollars. Immediately after Captain Panajotti said, take this man also forward with the others.' At this time he asked Athanasi, the cook, where he had put the had given to him from the Maltese vessel. The cook immediately brought the rope, and gave it to Captain Panajotti, who cut it into four pieces, and gave them to the cook, saying to him, go forward, and tell the people to put the dead bodies into four bags. Put some ballast into them, and tie them with the four pieces of rope, and throw them overboard.' I did not see either of the four put to death, but 6 rope he 302 CONFESSION OF A GREEK PIRATE. I heard every thing. I was in such bad humour, I would not see any thing; and vexed as I was, I took my capote, and remained on the poop. I do not know if either or all of the four prisoners said any thing. I was alarmed, and wounded in the head, when the captain knocked me down. I tied my head with a handkerchief; the wound is perfectly healed, but can be seen. 66 After this the Mistico steered for Vunaria; where, having arrived, Captain Panajotti ordered two persons to go on shore. One of them was named Panajotti Gianni, and the other Anagnosti, the brother-in-law of the сарtain, who came on board from the Maltese brig before we parted from her. He was replaced by another man of the same name. The two persons sent on shore did not return on board. At day-light the next morning, the Mistico steered in the direction of the prize, to look after her. We remained at sea all the day. At mid-day we perceived the prize, and about sun-set we came near to her, when Captain Panajotti hailed the Nostromo, and asked him if he was ready. The Nostromo replied We are ready.' Then Captain Panajotti or |