Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-06-23
hrone. and settled upon the blue wa.

throne. and settled upon the blue wa.
tiers.
Continuing our course q few mile.
'arther' the dim island began to shake
oil ats murky aspect, and rear its DARK
promontories IN stern contrast With the
receding beadlsnJ. And then, from a
narrow nook. guarded by frow ming
cape started q new s,range sail, ho-
veriug along the indented shore with
strange and mysterious appearance.
This new vision seemed siensl word
Tor the first, which could be family
seen lingering in the opposite direc-
t'on' Tor with the glass. we beheld her
bear away. and with oil sail spread,
shooting along before tho wind with
Perceptible rapidity. The second like.
wise unfurled her top. sails, and head
ing from the shore, bore down in seem
ing triumph upon Us.
The vessel which frat attrat ted our
attention had the greatest advantage
of the wind, aud conseQuentls gained
upon US, in despite Of all our sailing
aud rs she seemed considerably small
er than the second, there was also suf-
hcient evidence Of her coming along
side some time before the second.
| lhe large stranger was n brig, the
small one a schooner; one was armed
the other was not, and as chance
would have il, the vessel with which
we we're first To contend with, was the
latter. For both were pirates. The
bloody pennon strcaned in the soft
AR flashing sabres cleaned among
the ropes. But rs the schooner DOS.
sessed no ordnance, We were deter.
mined that she should bs received as
we'll as o twelve pound carronade.
which honored our decks, was capable
oil besto~ing, and guarded by the net
ting which was soon extended round
the sunwale, with each fire lock, and
desperate mind, gave us some hopes Of
making a manly resistance.
But still. Of what avail could the re
solution have been-vhils even If we
succeeded in repslling this euemy,
there remained second, double in
power, both with men and guns? Ger
tainly none-yet better die in the arms
al bravery, than under the knee of
cowardice. Death we expected; IL
hung as ii ready to stamp its DESTINY
upon our heads. What could be ex.
pected from these myrmydoms ofblood,
but death? Ay, a death rendered ten
times more acute, when inflicted with
IMMUNITY! Nothing. Therefore our
resolution was taken. 70 make bed Of
our deok.-s death bed. and the price
should be the price of blood
The grim messenger OF our doom,
slowly dug the sparkling wave ia chase.
while the second. apparently her con :
sort, diligently Rugged the wind; and
although every yard and brace strained
with the bellying canvas, she seemed
TO hang IN the distance as If locked in
the waters!
| We were completely hemmed in,
without hope of escape: the wind op-
posed one obstacle, while. If we at
tempted TO run before il, our pursuers
had equal, II not more advantage; the
brig lay far away 10 the leeward, which
would be nearly the same, as running
within her grasp, and TO undertake q
Hight ia the other direction, would be
IN the end, like throwing ourselves
within the sohooner's power.
The only resource that remained
was To bring our own vessel little
more into the wind, which was effected,
aud endeavor. il possible, TO pass the
brig to windward; but then our speed
would be lcsscned. and the scheou er in
chase possessed Of more advantage
However,, tho foe TO windward was
nearly within haIi-our title gun frown-
eel beneath the netting! Each man
placed himself under cover Of some ar
ticlc, behind the mast, water casks,
and companion way. which happens
TO be my station, while two or three
remained resdy at tie sun--and firm
and resolved
The pirate now sent his hollow man.
date along the deep-tO .heave to-
hut We were our own masters. and
needed not the command. Five mi
nutes might have passed, aud then
came a crash Of small arms, followed
by shower 81 balls, which passed,
~hlzzing through our sales, netting
and ropes. Then succeeded a small
gun, mounted over the guDwaie like
COR own, which 10 consequence Of no
ports, had not been seen.-this piece
beloved along the deep, as IL the iicnd
himself had arisen 10 aid his grim fol d.
lowers. sending IT. iron bali vith q
screaming sound through the lofty
mainmast, which tottcrsd and rscIed
To the SEA. We mioded il not: but
answered with our caronade and small
arms ell government over the vessel
vas abandoned. because not within
our po~er. consequently, our schooner
lsy a. tie mercy VI the wind and waves.
In this manner ihe eight was sustain.