The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1841-02-13


black, with round spot in the centre OF
one end, SO as to bear tolcrable rcsem-
blance to pieces of cannon, and, with two
old six-poundcrs, were placed, one at each
port, on our deck, five on side; but the
ports were to be kept closed until our cap
tain gave the order to open them, then
they were to be raised as quickly as pos
sible, and the logs thrust out about foot.
A platform was then made on the top of
the long-boat, which was fixed between
the fore and main masts, and the carron-
adc, or contemporaries, was hoisted mp.
These things being arranged, the captain
went below, and the crew mustered in
knots, to wonder and talk of what was to
be done.
In the meantime, we had been standing
on our course, and had not shifted or
hoisted a single sail, but were as if perfect
ly regardless of the schooner. Not so
with her, however; for besides large
square-sail and square-topsail on the fore
mast, she had run out small forc-topmast
studding-sails, and onward she came, right
before pretty smart breeze, yawing from
side to side, at one moment sinking stern
foremost into the trough of the sea, as an
enormous wave rolled out from under her.
and at the next forced hcadlong EDWARDS
by its successor, while a broad white sheet
of foam spread out around her, giving
beautiful relief to the Jet black color of
her hull, testifying how rapidly she was
going through the water. could not
help thinking of the captains expression,
for she certainly did "walk up to us like
nothln'," and as there appeared to be not
much time to lose, | went down to the
cabin to assume my weapons. The cap
tain was there arranging some papers.
and bottle was before him, into which
he had put letter. "May be-" said he,
" something II happen to me for fthcm
ere bloody pirates wont be cheated, | will
be the first to suffer; and natural enough
too, for all the mischief they II suffer will
be by my orders, just because | didn't like
to be ovcrhauled, like an old tarpaulin, by
every rascal who chooses to say hcavc to,
on the high seas. But never mind only.
should you escape, just drop the bottle
and letter overheard, if you think you
can't deliver it yourself"
Now had never seriously considered
the probability that might also be killed
in an approaching melee, for thought
that the captain intended to throw open
his ports and show his sham guns, and
that, of course, the schooner would take
fright. But when he began to talk about
death in such Il serious strain, began to
feel very uncomfortable, and not being
naturally a warrior, ! wished myself any
where else than on board the Patrick
Henry. There was, however, without
a chance of escape, and | suggested to
the captain that it would be as well for
me to put letter into the bottle also, in
case of any accident to both of us, which
was agreed to; and we arranged that if
either survived and had the opportunity,
the letter of the unfortunate should be
safely forwarded to its destination. After
this little piece of preparation, the captain
took me by the hand. IT'S well" said
he; "are you willing to share with me
the post Of danger: DO not suppose
am unaccuslomed 10 the pcrils Of sea-