Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-01-11
CHAPTER TX.

The stranger makes himself interestiRg-a
Pirate crgtt-he ChGse-he conftct-hor-
gid d0oSlopSaeats-trerche7 ant mi n4see.-
Inc arrival OF the stranger on board the
Gull was an event III the history of her cruise
All day he was busy in drying his clothes
before the cooks fire and amusing the crew
with q rehearsal of jolly warns" connected
with his past life. st. Clair was an attert;ve
listener to his narratives, and confessed TO
the Captain that he was the most singular
character he had ever met with. A short ac-
qualntance with this strange being was suE
nclent 70 show that he possessed yery little
uread OF death or danger; that the natural
sehslpliltles OF man were all blunted and dcs.
troyed IN his bosom by a life of hardships
ana dissipation that he entertained or ex-
pressed opinions upon death and the futnm
state OF man entirely at variance WI 30
son ana common sense, which, IN rea-
choose not to pollute our pADopinions we
~ 70 us keeping: g by committing
~ ""r" nlsS2 re was well versed IN
S1arce1S 81 the world, and there was
vessel, sailing in the Southern
Z, with which lie was not acquainted to
wsome ex ent-at least, he could give a fair
descrip in Of her cut and general appear
anco-Jf her sailing qualities and strength.
Il COllbA AtGA w ttbh llAo ~ CCbOAS1 "
withstanding his repulsiye personal appear
ance, and st. Clair was entranced by the
stranger, urging him at all times to relate
some Of his entertaining nautical yarns
During the day the old tar gave it as his
opinion, corroborating the views Of Mr.. Lynd-
say, that there was to be a harder blow thar
had yet been experienced along the coast
and he seemed to base his Judgment upoT
the unusual aspect of the sky and the rest
~lessness of the waters.
After picking up the stranger there wa
nothing unusual occurred on board the Gul
for the first two days. Owing to the almos
dead calm into which they had fallen th'
brig made but a slow progress. On the after
noon of the third day a light breeze sprun,
up and it began to grow "squally ;" the bri
pitched madly against the waves rocking owe
them with the swinging undulation peculia
to all sailing crafts ONT rough sea. A negr
on the lookout at the main top gallant, san
out Justify =
"Sail no! yah, sail no, two points aft ~
ais she bearing down boy?" said tn
Captain.
"Lor' yes, massa Captain, she comm wi
long legs"
The Captain, his mate, st. Clair and tt
stranger now gathered in u group and clos
ly eyed the approaching vessel. After
long look the Captain said =
81 make her out to be a well built brig
excellent sailing qualities with a singular an
suspicious looking hull"
pray Heaven its not q Pirate cxclair
ed St. Clair.
Cant say" said the Captain she dor
look exactly right"
"Under whose colors is she flying" So
the stranger, shading his eyes with one han
She shows no ~colors," replied the Ca
tain, but comes along like blazesl Ri
up our c%olors, Mr.. LINDSAY" And in fl
minutes the " stars and stripes" was streal
ing the wind from the Sea CULTS mast hea
Still there was no sign of recognition fro
the strange brig.
"Clap on more sails, Mr.. LINDSAY" sa
the Captain" Don't lift a sail, my hearth,
keep her full, she'll weather the wind h
masts and yards are strong-never fear "
Up went sheet after sheet until the Ct
looked more like q white cloud than a saili
craft ; every yard of canvass was stretch,
and u strong breeze setting in filed her r
: full, and on she went like an arrow studdi
e away before the wind, parting the foam at
4 bows with o whistle.
The Captain and st. Clair withdrew to 9
side Of the deck and INDUCED in o few Il
ments conversation. The mate kept his
i on the rigging and rubbed his hands W
evident satisfaction at the swiftness Of
Sea Gull. The stranger walked the d.
n hurriedly with his eyes bent on the plan
beneath him.
The Captain looked astern and hurrie
said -
"@She is gaining on US a few minutes
s / could only see, without ny glass, her ma
{ top now her rakish hull becomes visible
she mounts upon the wave"
"What shall be done !" exclaimed
Clair: there is Agnes"
= The stranger overheard the exclamation
St. Clair, and springing upon the coop
e roared out -
"Beat the drum to quarters All hal
ahoy (! Roll up, tumble up here and but
" your jackets for q dog fight"
This ran through the briggs crew like
electric fash. The captain ordered the DIR
VI beat. and its thrilling roll rose above
a splash and murmur of the waves. The
n Mailing intelligence that a buccaneer was
l. chase sent a thrill Of horror through ev
breast in the cabin, and all seemed excl
save the old tar that they had picked up
, walked the deck whistling an old ma
cal air with as much RoRchGLGnce as if
u had been washing down the deck or " slaI
e, hg' the mast. Agnes chung to st. q
IT with a nervous energy and screamed,
wept, and prayed in turn.
r. FRO BE CONTINUED.