Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-08-06

From the Bachelors Journal
THE STRANGE COMBAT.

1 1
twas during the last war ofthis country
with Great Britain, that circumstances led
me to be a passenger on board Of one OF
our large merchantmen, in which l mad
embarked what little property l possessed;
our seas were at that time covered win
small privateers, belonging to both beLh-
oerents, who did more mlSChIefto the COM
morce ofboth nations, than the several pub
lie armed vessels Of either.
We had been sailing for two days with
q rood breeze though now and then lull'
and then we sagged heavily along through
a foe, almost as dense as the waters which
bore us. We were not far from our port
and our captain was willing to crowd sall
nirht and day, as the risk Of capture was
superior to that Of shipwreck or disaster.
from a Gripping of our spars. Our ship.
was of about 400 tons, heavily laden q mot
a swift sailor. Her captain was a man OF
shrewd Judgment, Of inHeXlbihty OF our
purpose. rather given taciturnity. Hewas
ola slight figure, gentlemanly to his equals,
decided and promptto those under hum IN
ms orders, and in execution of their fulfil
ment. His keen dark eyes and naval off
Ger gait, showed a kind Of courage, which
one would call daring, if they had watch
ed his countcuance on particular occa-
sions.
After Swimming through the mist fort
days, (ofwhich have spoken happened
TO be on deck with our captain. | was m
conversation with him, as TO the probability
ofreaching our port free from the cnemy's
cruisers. He replied with his usual brew
ty, "thc fog and carrying sall, alone will
save us: | am q made man five escape; #
not am ruined" He said this in the
same tone of voice that he would have a
common ordcr-hc looked up and said
there is fog eater. at this moment the
sun seemed to flash upon our deck and the
fog rose from the sea like the hosting ola
curtain at the Theatre smart breeze
took us back, and before an order was
rivcn, we saw directly before under our
lee, a little black looking, sharp built
schooner, whose decks were loaded with
men, 81 know her." calculated our cap
tain: the next thing, there came a ball dan
cinr across our bows IN imitation of dis
tracted porpoisc. Our captain took the
helm from a sailor and gave orders TO lay
to- Another shot came within a few feet
of the captains head, and passed through
the main sail. which he seemed toregard as
| little as be would the tapping Of the wings
of a sca-gull. But his countenance grew
dark and terriilic-he had not a gun on
board. The priyateer braced sharp on the
wind. and at the second tack came within
uueEet shot: boat come and we were or
dered under the pic'ay's lee in the style Of
an admiral in the British Navy. In the
mean time the wind had treshened and the
captain had privately given orders to have
every sail in readiness for instant setting.
The boat left us, and we bore down APP
parently fulfilling the command which had
/ been given us. TO secure and pack my
papers was but the work of a moment, for
an anticipation OF the event of capture had
placed me on my guard in this particular.
/ When returned ON deck we were almost
within hail ofthe stranger under a flowing
sail: which In order to bring us to a proper
| luiiunder the lee Of the pryateer, would
seemingly require to be taken IN. The
captain was still at the helm and he was
intent, apparently, upon coming as near
/ the stern of the opposite vessel as was pos
sible. At this moment he gave the word
"square away" which brought our bows
on the centre of the vessel Of the enemy
"luf" said its captain: at the same mo
mcnt. the flash Of gun and ITS ball were
both seen and heard from the port holes Of
( our antagonist-it rakcd us fore and aft, y
cutting every thing before it, another mo-
ment and the bow of our heavy vessel
struck the quarter ofthe priyateer with a
/ Tremendous crash-another moment and
she passed over her, and nothing was to
/ be seen of our capturcr but few floating
barrels, some spars, and human beings
who had escaped for a few moments the
yawuiug deep. Never shall l forget the
cry winch came from the vessels as or
own was passing over 1t: it was allied to
nothing human; It was of such shrlll dis
tress, that q manlac's Imagination alone
Icould. grasp its drcadtulness. In q few
days we reached our port; and even to the
/ present hour l cannot forget the going down
of the privateer, over which our vessel
doomed as if buta floating stick Of timber
was in Its path.