The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-07-23
From the Bachelors' Journal.
THE STRANGE COMRAT

"''A hIItdLu, LIidL circumstances led
me TO he passenger on board of one of
our large merchantmen, in which had en-
parked what little property possessed
our seas were at that time covered with
small priVateefs, belonging to both belliger-
ents, VINO did more mischief to the com
merce OF both nations, than the several pub
iic armed vessels of either.
we had been sailing for two days with a
good breeze though now and then a lull,
ana then We sagged heavily along through
log, almost as dense as the waters which
bore US. We were not far from our port
and our captain was willing to crowd sail
night AMI day, as the risk Of capture was
superior to that OF shipwreck, or disaster
from crippling of our spars. Our ship
was OF about 400 tons, heavily laden and
not swift sailor. Her captain was man
OF shrewd Judgment, Of inhex.bili.y of pur-
pose, rather gwen to taciturnity. He was
OF slight figure, gentlemaniy to his equals,
decided and prompt to those under him in
his orders, ami In execution OF their fulfil
ment. Ills keen dark eyes and naval Off
Ger gait, showed Kind of courage, which
one would call daring,if they had watched
his countenance on particular occasions.
After Swimming through the mist for two
days. (of which have spoken) | happened
to be On deck with our captain. was IN con-
versaton with him, as to the probability of
reaching our port free from the enemy's
cruisers. He replied with his usual brew
ty, the fog and carrying sail, alone will
save u.s. am Il made man five escape; if
not am ruined" He SAID this in the same
tone of voice that he would have common
order--he looked up and said, sternly, 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 of cur
tain at the Theatre-a smart breeze took
us back, and before an order was given, we
saw directly before under our lee, a little
black looking, sharp built schooner, whose
decks were loaded with men, Il know her."
CALCULATED our captain the next thing, there
came ball dancing across our bows In i'm
itation of distracted porpolse. Our cap
tain took the helm from a sailor and gave
orders to lay to. Another shot came with
in few feet of the captains head, and
passed through the mainsail, which he SEEM
ed to regard as little as he would the flap
ping of the wings Of a sea-gull. But his
countenance grew dark and territfic-he
had not gun on board. The privateer
braced sharp on the wind, and at the sec
ond tack came within musket shot; boat
came and we were ordered under the pig
.aay's Zee IN Lne sLyle VI sgu auuiI al iu UiGu
British Navy. In the mean time the wind
had fresiened, and the captain had private
ly given orders to have every sail in readi-
ness for instant setting.
Tho iH1uf loft ne aud hora
parentIy fulfilling the command which had
been given US. To secure and pack my
papers was but the work of 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 of the stranger under flowing
sail which in order to bring US to proper
huff under the lee of the prlyateer, would
seemingly require o.be taken in. The cap
tain was still at the helm and be was intent,
apparently, upon coming as near the stern
of the opposite vessel as was possible. At
this moment he gave the word "square
away" which brought our bows On the CEN
ire of tie vessel of the enemy" luf" said
it's captain: at the same moment, the flash
of a gun and its ball were both seen and
heard fiom the port holes of our antagonist
it raked US fore and aft" cutting every
thing before it, another moment and the
bow of our heavy vessel struck the quarter
of the 1rivateer with a tremendous crash
anothe moment and she passed over her,
and nohing was to be seen of our capturer
but few floating barrels, some spars, and
human beings who had escaped for few
momens the yawning deep. Never shall
| forge, the cry which came from the YES
sci as cur own was passing over 1t: it was
allied o nothing human it was of such
shrill distress, that maniac's Imagination
alone ,ould grasp its dreadfulness. In a
few dayswe reached our port; and even to
the present hour cannot forget the going
down Of the privateer, over which our YES
sci boOned as if but floating stick Of tim
her vas in its path.
SAND Storm IN THE DESERT. 1t
Gawned at last; and morning found me
still in wide and trackless waste of sand !;
which as the sun arose, was only bounded
by those fiittering vapours which deceive
the thirsty traveller with the belief that
water is near and have thence obtained the
name of the water of the Desert. In vain
looked for the marks by which my friend
Selir had taught me to recognize place
of refreshment. There was but too much
cause to fear that was now in one of those
terrible tracks of dry and moving sand, in
which no water is ever found, and which
sometimes, when set in motion by the wind,
swallow up whole caravans and their con-
ductors. Alas! the morning light, so earn
estly expected, only dawned to prove that |
was surrounded by dangers l had never
dreamed of.
The wind which had blown so piercingly
all night, lulled, as it generally does, to-
wards morning but the hazy vapour, load
ed with light PARTICLES Of sand, through
which the sun rose red as blood, gave warn
ing that the calm would not continue long
nor had pursued my course another hour
locnxo 10 100. IS tho nacapf mind uaa