Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1837-08-15
From the Charleston Courier.


From the Charleston Courier.
THECHASE.-A noble ship of 600
tons was Oh her outward passage to In
dia, with a valuable cargo of specie
and American goods. Before doub-
ling the Cape suspicious looking YES
sci was discovered dead to windward,
under a press of canvass, bearing down
upon the Indiaman-the experienced
eye Of the captain instantly enabled him
to determine that she was small, tight
schooner-an acquaintance with which
would not be desirable. She had few
arms--and although her crew was true
as steel, they could not contend with a
we'll armed pirate. The ship was
therefore put away before the wind,
and every rag of canvass packed upon
her that she could bear. The eye of
the captain rested for a time upon his
bending masts, covered with canvass
to the very trucks---was then turned
upon his gallant crew, who collected,
having entire confidence in his skill and
courage, and at last settled long and
steadfastly upon the chase. She gains
she gains and there are many hours
yet of day light A ship has the adj
vantage of small sharp craft with a
floating sheet; but yet she gains. The
danger is pressing, is imminent, and To-!
a new and terrible enemy appears, far
to leewGrd; black cloud arises slowly
from the horizon, and gives but too
surely an intimation of what may short
| ly be apprehended. The ship cannot
shorten sail; for thee chase win be ups
on him: and the captains plan was
INSTANTLY laid. Eevery InaH..was order.
ed to his post; the heavens grew more
portentous every moment; but the
pirate did not start tack or sheet, as
the captain hoped he would, and allow
him togain little before the hurricane
came on. The wind freshens the
masts yield to the tremendous pressure
which they have to sustain; the teeth
of the stoutest seamen are set, firm in
the apprehension that they will go by
the board. The steady eye of the cap
tain is fixed upon the gathering tornado;
at last it comes the ocean in the dis
lance is white with foam, and he who
was before so quiet and unmoved, is
now appointed to tremendous exertions.
"Let 90 all fore and aft, rang out clear
and loud; "clew up and clew down.
I-"lay aloaft," were orders which fol.
lowed each other in quick succession
and were as quickly obeyed the flap
Iping sails are rapidly. secured, the wind
lulls, the tornado is upon them, taking
them back the ship falls off, she bends
+ to the gale, until her yard arms are in
the waves, she begins to move through
the water with constantly accelerated
motion.
The pirate, with the quickness Of
perception so common amongst men
of their class, instantly comprehended
his advantage. lie was near two miles
: dead to leewaSd Of the Indiaman, which
made greater Roadway under her bare
} poles than he did; the hurricane coulC
not last long; he would therefore b,
close on board of her when it passed
over, and she must then fall an cas-,
; fpray to him.
I The captain of the noble merchant
man saw it all;there was but one fearful
T way to escape. He had gallant AM
staunch ship under him; she had no
!, yet sprung a spar, nor split sail; h
! had an extremely valuable cargo, ant
his men, he could not see them strun;
up to the yard arm, on the principle
; that s'dead mentell no tales, "-he there
e fore set hls fore topsail and close reefeC
P main topsaiI, which urged his shiI
e through the water with great velocity
: The little black pirate saw the plan
/ and attempted to make all sail, but al
It would not do, and he saw that his onl,
a chance for safety was, If possible 4
2 elude the shock, at the very moment Q
e the unexpected. conclusion.
2 The ship came upon him with terrlh
n precision. sHard to port r shoute'
I the pirate to his helmsman. sHard {
q portF' echoed the merchantmanto his
9 One tremendous crash; one wild, fran
y tic shrek Of despair; and all was hush
r ed ii death.
From the Tuscaloosa Iafelligtncer.
o. coMAFUNEGATED. g
-.