Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-06
SCENE WITH A PIRATE.

In the month of July 1881, was on my
way from New York to the island of Curacao
on board the American ship Patrick Henry,
command by Captain Tuttle. We had fine
passage, and were looking forward to the end
of our voyage in about week. / was the only
passenger, and Of course was thrown in great
measure on my own resources for amusement,
the chief of which was testing the powers of
an admirable glass of London manufacture
upon every vessel that showed itself above the
horizon. Our Captain was kind and civil, but
there appeared a mystery about him that he
did not like to have pried into, and our COM
munication had in consequence been reserved.
In about latitude twenty degrees and longi-
tude sixty degrees and and fifty minutes we
were running along with fine fresh breeze
abeam, and all our weather studding sails set.
j was sitting alone in the cabin, Illuminating
upon the changes of scene and society into
which had been forced so contrary to my own
incinations and wondering whether the quiet
and happiness Of domestic life was ever to be
my lot, when the captain came down and told
me that, as ! was so fond of using my glass,
there was vessel just appearing on the hori-
zon to windN ard and that might go and see
what she was, for he could not make her out
at all. went on deck, and mounted into the
main top and began my scrutiny
"Well, what is she ?" asked the captain from
the deck.
81 can hardly make. her out-but think
she is schooner"
"Aye-what's her coursc9"
Southwest by south, l think; about the
same as ourselves"
remained in the top a few moments, and
continued looking at the stranger.
! "She seems fonder of the sea than am"
continued, for she might have her top-sas and
top-gaants, and studding sails to boot all set,
instead of slipping along under her lower sails"
The captain made no answer, but was look
ing hard at her with his eye. now perceived
through the glass white spcck above her fore
sail, tapping against the mast
"Well, she must have heard me, for there
goes her fore topsail."
The captain now went to the companion for
his glass, and after looking attentively for
short time
whats thatS" he asked; is that her square
sail she's settingp | can't see from the deck"
j looked again.
EYES," tis her square sail as I'm alive, she |
has changed her course, and is bearing down |
upon u.s."
But by this time the captain had mounted |
the rigging and was standing beside me; he
was cycling the distant vessel keenly. After |
having apparently satisfied himself he asked |
me TO go with him to the cabin, as he wished
to talk with me alone. We descended to the |
deck, and followed him to the cabin. He
motioned me to a seat, and after carefully shut |
ting the door, said
~ rather expect that fellows pirate"
"Pirate2" | asked in alarm.
eyes, sny pirate, and I'll tell you why In
the first place, you see, he'd no business to be
sncaking along in that do little sort Of a way |
as when we first saw him; who ever that had |
any honest business 10 do, would allow such a
fine breeze to go by, without showing more
canvass than powder monkeys old brceches
to catch itP Next, you see what the mischief
he has to do with us, that as soon as he clap
ped eyes on us, he must alter his course, and
bc SO anxious to get out his square sail. Again
he looks just like one Of those imps of mischief
with his low, black hull, and tall ralSing masts.
But it's no use talking; | tell you he's pirate,
and that's as true as my name is Isaac Tuttle
And now the only thing is, what shall we do
Tho Patrick Henry ANITA Baltimore clipper,