Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-29

long the heaving eXpanse of water right In the
strangers direction. We looked ont with im-
patience as it sailed along till at lastit settled up
on him. and lightning up the sea in its lmmeoi-
ate neighborhood, a white sail was distinctly 10
be seen, in the quarter where it had been nrs'
discovered.
The officers began to collect in close groups
on the quarter deck, scanning the object OF our
curiosity, some with glasses, and the remainder
with their unaded eyes
Tack" said our skipper, in an under tone,
and We tackled accordingy and as we orought
the ships head up to meet the wind, the water
rushing up to, and flashing beneath our BOWS
flung at intervals with sudden splash upwards,
a shower of fairy moonlit gems. The stranger
was not long before he caught gllmpse OF US
and tackled likewise; standing partly IN our d.
recton, for his course, when first seen, was s.
w. inciining S. AS he came bowling along,
we could discern by little help from the par
tial moonlight, and great deal from our glass,
that the vessel was larg brig under courses,
lib and topsails, the latter single reeied
Starboard!" said our captain as soon as he
was enabled to make out these particulars.
"Starboard, It's sir,n returned our man at the
wheel.
"Now keep her steady for little while
Boatswain's- mate, pipe to quarters"
Aye, aye, sir"
We soon came up within hailing distance
The brig had cot across our bows, and he was
now pulling away at his lee-braces, and short
euing sail. was trying through the night glass
TO make out her bunting. | counted nine ports
in her broadside, and after great deal OF dim-
Guilty perceived the scarlet stripes and white
stars of the United States. Meanwhile, he had
backed his main-topsail, and we hailed her.
"Ho! the brig, ahoy-a~
"Hiilo!" came family through the gloom.
"What vessrl is that"
-hri
Boston,"
"Very well! Where are you bound too"
"Rio JaneirO,"
GAN very good" said our shipper in an under
tone taking the trumpet from his mouth, alter
he had desired them to send boat on board US
I" You put good face on it-but for all that
Pm thinking you're little better than you should
be. What doyou think, my lad, ITO me- OF the
account that he has given OF HIMSELF"
"Pm much Of your opinion" said |; :" those
are not the colours the fellow intends to fightun-
der, depend upon it!'
"Ten to one you're right. You at the helm
there, huff! huff up! huff sir! Mr. Brace, (our
lieutenant cast loose the guns"
We waited long time, but nothing seemed
to stir on board the brig. We hailed her Sec
ond time, but got no answer; all was as SILL as
the grave. "This is our man, depend on II"
said Captain Taffril; "prepare yourselves, Tor
we shall have tough bout of it. Take my
word for it, she's not so quiet for nothing
There's a squal brewing, or Pm Dutchman;
and at all events, it is better that we should be
prepared for the worst"
The brig came slowly and majestically on
wards, as ifit had contained not single living
soul. All was quiet as death; she looked IKE a
huge grim giant, marching sullenly over the
seas to battle; not voice or an order to be
beard, not even the creakng of block; even
the pillows seemed to have given up. Tor time,
their nature, and in place Of their usual wild
dash, only gave forth something like low,
sulen grow, as they washed heavily up
against her bows and sides. Up she came
nearer and nearer until the lazy folds OF the en-
sign at her gaff could be seen to slowly expand
their gorgeous assembly OF stars ana stripes,
with a fierce and dgnifed undulating move
ment.
"The rogue thinks to wear across our bows,
supposed said Taffrl, ''but he shall! find HIM
self deaucedly mistaken. Starboard your helm
-starboard! Mr.. Brace, attend forwards and
you larboard guns, keep yourselves DISK ana
ready"
"Before we had shortened sail the brig open
ed her fire, and sent her larboard broadsidc.
rafting and cutting along, right for our head
and bows Crash came the shot, and could
hear the grinding of the splinters, as they were
shaved up from the decks and oil from the bull
warks, with a fearful distinctness. Groans,
smoke, fire, stamping, and uproar followed, ana
in the middle of the hustle, Pumped to our men
at the guns, and strove hard by vigorous eXer-
ton Of voice and action, to excite them to pay
the rascas well, in return for what they had Civ
en- us.
We had both bore up with tine wind nearly on
our quarter;we now ported the helm, and rounded
to- pouring in our arboard broadside upon his
quarter Icould see that We had done good
deal of mischief as noise and excavations rose
from all parts of her decks. Smothering clouds
of smoke began to ascend into the murky air,
and curl about our rigging, while the flashing
light of the artillery, momentarily illuminating
both ships with fierce and red light pictured
the open port holes and the bristling guns with
beautiful exacttude; marking out the masts,
yards and every. simple cord, as wildly as if
a BODY of phosphoric air had traced them out
in fire, and shadowing the appraised ports chan
nels, and cabin-windows. Down came the en-
sign Of America to the deck in trice, and
large sable flag was hoisted up in its stead. Up
it rose to the extremity of the gaf, and like
funeral pail expanded lazily in the breeze The
pirate vessel had brought to the wind again;
we ranged under her lee, all our guns primed,