Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-11-19

yi,led the latter held the course she was
now steering. But who could hope that
she would do that! Indeed, all on board
the brig expected every moment TO hear
that she was lying off and running away
If she did no, do so, it would be almost
proof that she was engaged in lawful COM
merce, and not what they expected, and,
in truth, hoped.
An hour had passed, and the Semlramls
had visiby gained on the schooner; so
much so, that the hull of the latter, which
was long, low, black, and rakish-looking,
could now be seen from the blig's tops.
Surely they must see U.S. said the
captain.
She's Just the build of the Don Pedro
we took off This coast said the second
lieutenant, from the maintop.
Il hope she will turn out better prize,
replied the captain.
The truth is, they had captured that
same Don Pedro, condemned her, and
broken her up. The captain and owners
of her had appealed proved to the sat-
islaction of the Admiralty that she was
not engaged in the slave trade; and con-
sequently, every man on board the Sem
iramis who had assisted at her capture,
was obliged to cash up his quota of dam
ages instead of poekeiing prize money.
The Don Pedro, therefore, was sore
subject on board the Semiramis.
Another hour elapsed; the hull OF The
schooner began to be visible from the
deck of the cruiser. She was wicked
looking craft; and Jack slapped his pock-
cts in anticipation of the cash she would
bring i'm to them.
well It's odd she don't alter course,
anyhow said the boatswain on the fore
castle, 'may be she wants to throw us of
the scent, by pretending to be all right
and proper, and not to have notion that
we can be coming after her.
SHOW the colours cried the captain
on the quarter deck; lets see what flag
she sports
The British ensign was soon floating
from the Semiramis but the schooner
a, first showed no colours in reply.
Presently the first lieutenant who was
watching her through the glass, cried out
Brazilian, by Jove!
There was short pause. Every sort
of spy-glass in the ship was in requlsl'lon.
Every eve was strained to its utmost VS.
ual tension. The captain broke the 81
lence with 'IIolloa! She's easing of
a. .,,,, for ~ last
She's leetle too late" said the lieu
tenant. Before these (ore-and aft schoon-
ers are tubs, though on the wind there
clippers
However, it was clear that the schooner
had at last resolved to run for her life.
By going off with the wind she got good
start on the brig; and, although 1t was
her worst point of sailing, sull the breeze
was so light that, while it suited ner, IT
was insufficient TO make the heavier brig
sail well.
For three hours the chase continued,
and neither vessel seemed to gain on the
other: but the breeze was now treshen-
ing, and the Semiramis a, length began
10 diminish the distance between herself
and the Brazilian. Right ahead, in the
course they were pursuing, lay a point ol
land projecting far into the sea, and the
chart showed a tremendous reef OF rocks
extending some three miles beyond 1t. IL
was certain that neither vessel could clear
the reef, if they held the course they were
then steering.
Keep her little more to windward,
cried the captain. we shall have her !;
she will be obliged TO haul up i'll about
an hours time, and then she can, escape
as we shall be well TO windward.'
The hour went by; and still the
schooner showed no signs of altering her
course. The captain of the Semlramls
again examined his charts; bat the rect
was clearly laid down, and it seemed nt-
,erly impossible that the schooner could
weather it by the course she was then
steering. Yet, either, from Ignorance OF
the danger, or from the determination to
brave il. she tried; knowing that 1t she
escaped it and cleared the point, she
would have gained an immense advantage
over her pursuers.
Ii would be impossible 10 describe 'he
anxiety with which all on board the Sem
iramis now watched the little Brazilian.
She was literally rushing into the jaws ol
destruction; and as she rose over each
successive wave, it seemed as if she must
he dashed on the treacherous reef at the
mex, dip. Still she stood bravely on
and, though doubtless the lips of those on
board her might be qnivering at that mo-
ment in the agony of suspense, the little
craft looked SO beautiful, and sailed so
gailv, her white sails and slender sPars
flashing in the sunlight, that even her
pursuers mentally prayed for her safety
quite irrespective Of the prize-money they