Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-07-24

uependcucIes- The Command of this
vessel wss entrusted to an experienced
officer, and we sailed from the United
Colonies Nth orders to let nothing in
terfcre With our time and duty, until
~e had accomplished the object Of our
expedition.
( At sunrise oo the 9th morning sub.
sequent TO our departure, was discover
ell vessel to ieeward; orders were in
stantly given TO bear down, when, after
an hours sal, We discovered her to be
lore topsail schooner, lying low in the
water, and shaping her course south
westerly; when she perceived il was
our intention TO hail her, she wore a.
round and Law TO awaiting our approach.
: As We drew near had an oppot to-
nifty Of examining her more infinitely,
and every one on board asserted that
she was the most beautiful craft they
had ever beheld. Her tall spars had a
graceful, though no more than ordinary
rake and the delicaey Of their taper was
only equalled by the proportionate ira
Gerry o' the eoTdage that enshrouded
them; the bows were exceedingly
sharp.and bespoke the utmost fieetness.
while the outvater rose with a graceful
curve from the briny element, and was
handsomely gammOned to the bowsprit;
bat one feature deieriorated from her
extreme beauty, and that vas the dark
colour OF her hull which was slightly.
though ImPereeptible from afar, reliev-
ed by a thin streak Of red, that mark
the lower chamber Of her channeI.. .
ven the masts and yard were Of the same
dinsy colours as the hull, and the ouly
trait that broke the gloom Of the head.
gear was the snow white canvass that
huttered alOlt- Yet amidst all this bean :
ty'here was something suspicious in her
appearance, probably impaired by the
tenebrI'y Of her hue, or perhaps engen.
de.ed BY the recollecti ton Of our GRAND .
As We neared her, Eve or SIX forms we're
observed scanning US with apparent in :
terest, yet still she Law in the winds
eve, her topsails throw n Aback, and she
resting a. mOtloniess as \ gull sleeping
upon the ocean, while we were dash
ms The spray aside, and every moment
attaining . lessened intervention.
When ne had approached within hail,
our vessel wore round. and hosting the
cross ct 81 George, fired a gun that the
strange sail migat satisfy rs Of her ma
ton, by showing her eoIors. Scarcely
had the echo OF our gun died upon the
oEeeLe, when 4 great black banner.
bearing no device. unfurled itself from
the stern Of the stranger, and was 10
s'anIiy run to the extremity ofthe staff.
The Black B,eeAnneer ~ shouted
fifty voices simultaneously, and the
echo OF their words were succeeded by
fearful. though brief silence. When
the monetary surprise was oyer.every
man In concordance with the order Of
our cOnm1nder.prepared for action; the
Guns were loaded and RON out Of their
respective ports-the magazine iIIum.
led--the Iosserheads Iighted-the
decks cleared. aud every thing prepar-
ed to execute the work Of death. In
the meantime the Buecanneer WAS no
way backward IN initiating our exam I.
pie; has vessel was swung round until
hIs bTcadsids Was brO'I 10 bear full up.
on u, and her decks, which before
showed but FIVE or SIX forms were now
literally crowded fore and aft; then or
ders we're gwen 20 commence the action.
and the huge eaonons belehed forth
their IRON messengers Of death.
= We mast board. - said our comman.
1sr-9iier a quarter Of an hours cannon.
1d'ns' IN which no signal advantage
wa gained BY either party. Fill away
nv men, and stand by to heave the
SriPpel-." Tie mandate was ob-veJ.
aud 10 lev moments We were lsshed.
and fought yard arm To yard arm. with
the braNest and most formidable Buc-
eanneer that ever plOugLed the ocean.
The pirates were the FIRST 10 board
headed by their notorious ehieItain.
they s?ranS upon our deck and fieresIy
assaulted our selmen; for a long time
victory remained undecided. but then
TIE Buccaneers began TO faIter. still
ihsy fought hand To hand, and with the
iniafiateJ frenzy 81 men Who had expe.
rieneed an opposition they did not an
ticipitr. bat still the ta,s Of Old Eng
land met them With all the eoolBess.
experience had taught. 50 essential 20
victory. By this time one half the a.
.aiiants Jay dead or wounded upon the
dcok.-Iheir cheering shouts were
s'i'l heard. though faint and almos,
drowned by the clash ~ arms. and the
grpsns = tie sounded and dying -
A-sIn they filtered. add retreated +.
pace. bat then the voice Of their com
narder was heard above the ruihle..
din. urs'ng them 20 another eduft.
gam tLey formed. and % shed madly Bp-
ON oar seamsu, bit they met the same
ordinations oppOsItIon ~ before. and
iAry once mbTe broke aud reiterated.
At ihls CFiticAi moment, when the "a
rates WcTe refreshing sttp BY step ifotn
OR gaaTter deck. their ehisfialn rssh.
81 i"rs ari. aud eating passage With
- sword. spFabg down the hatehuay.
and rushfng into the light room seized
4 TIE burning lamp. then shiyering the
Z PARTITION 81 g'a.s thar separated u from