Litchfield enquirer., 1842-12-29
From the Maur Liberal. THE P1R TIE.

passengers) were congregatud upon the poop deck, in anticipation ot momentarily receiving an iron summons to round to- This. however, did not appear to be part of the unknowns policy : and whilst be was fast drawing ahead, Macsawney, who car ried on the duties of the ship as if saw ney, who carried on the duties Cf the ship as if she floated unprecedented mistress of the blue expanse, ordered eight bells (hav- ing taken the sun) to be struck, and invited his passengers to partake their customary median. They were in the act of GoscCnd- ing when Bosy, reported that the brig, hav- ing given broad yaw 10 leeward, showed Spanish colors at her peak. These were scarcely set ere they were dipped, an indi- cation that it was their wish to speak to uS.- The atrocities which have degraded Spaiu's once imperial banner, coupled with the rak~ iSh loom of the stranger, and our proximity with the Cape de Verd Islands, the favorite resort of the lawless, caused us 10 survey him with curiosity in which apprehension was not slightly mingled.
 Our doubts and fears were in course of speedy solution, for the self-styled Spaniard had now lessened his distance to a couple. of miles. A more exquisite hull it was impos- sible to look upon-long, low, and of exceed ing beauty-bow round as an apple, with out-water sharp as wedge, from which pro- jected female figure head of the most grace full proportions. Every line was symmetry itself-her bottom beautifully moulded, her copper bright as furnished gold, and her run clear and fine as the heels of a racer in short the model of what an English noble's yacht should be. The capacity might a. mount to some three hundred tons. The beauty of the hull was fully equalled by the gear aloft, which was taunt, tapering, and well set up /; the lower mast was clean scra- ped and bright vanished, with iong heads painted white. He carried courses, topsails, with a slab reef to make them stand better top gallant sails, fore-top.mast staysai!, jib oom mainsail, a laundering ringtail, fore top- mast and fore -top.g gallant studding sails; his | royal yards were sent down, and his flying jiboom housed. All his yards were remarka- bly, square, his canvass well cut, and it was impossible to surpass the light airy tracery | of his taper masts, with their mazy lines of superintendent cordage. As we approxi. l mated, we gave our meteor flag to the breeze 1 his Spanish ensign still floating at it's peak. His lovely craft was in perfect command, ] and having drawn little before our lee beam, he immediately hailed
 Ship, ahoy!
 'Hallo ? responded MacsaWney.
 'What ships that?
 'The Saucy Sally what briggs that ?
 sThe Vomito Pietro.' was the answer.- Where are you from!' 1
 'The Cape of Good Hope
 sHeave to-heave to! have intelligence to communicate.'
 sAy, ay' sung out Mac. 'Cheerily, my lads-round in the weather main and top. sail braces. Fo:etop there down top p-gal- 1 lant stun'sail-in with brig Ben-clap on the topmast stun'sail bownballo! That's it. with will men. So-o! Man the royal l and sxy-sail clue lines
 In a surprising short space the Saucy Sal l ly was reduced to top and gallant sails, jib and spanker, the fore and main courses ! hangingi in the brails, The Vomito Pietro was still under sail, and although while ! our ship was obeying the injunctions she had hauled up so sharp in the wind as not only to deaden her way, hut to dropa short dis | tance astern. Perceiving her main topsail to the mast, he once more ranged within mailing distance.
 Ship ahoy send boat aboard of me, dye hear :? mine leaves the ship. Ifyou have any thing to communicate send your own boat
 Send your boat this instant, sir, or I'll fire into you.'
 Blaze away sang out the imperturbable Scotchman. Down on the deck lads-you shall pepper him by and buy.' w
 A pause ensued--the vessels gradually sep- arated-the Vomito Pietro hove to some six. | ty yards forward of the Sally lee beam, and 1 without further ceremony, exchanged the | Spanish ensign for the skull and marrow bones. At this moment both vessels had lost steerage way, the wind having fallen dead calm.
 We must be guided by circumstances said the captain, addressing us, but in no case must we allow them to obtainya footing | upon our decks. Better go to the bottom like men than to be flung into it like dogs. He will no doubt, seek to board under cover of his long guns. Let him try but do not inn plore you, throw away shot until each of you is sure of a man every one they lose adds to our chance of escape.'
 The Captain was right in his conjecture, for scarcely had he ceased speaking ere the Vomito, apparently satisfied with reconnoit- ering, launched both her boats full of men. No sooner had they touched the water, than they sent forth wild yell, to which as fit ting accompaniment, the roar of their long eighteen pounder opened its deadly throat- happily without any material injury result ing. Emboldened by the no return of fire. the boats after brief conference under the Vomito's stern. commenced pulling. making somewhat of a sweep, apparently with the de. sign of assailing the Saucy Sally on either quarter.
 Divide yourselves continued the watchful and indetatigable Mac but above all be cool-be steady. An he exclaimed, rub hing his hands with great delight, it would be noble chance. I'll try it, by George at the worst it can but fail. Look aloft, a