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

nothing. But I'll tell you what strikes me
five let them rascals aboard it's most likely
Wen all walk the plank; so wen try to keep
EN- out We hain't got but an old rusty car
ronade and two six Founders, and don't be-
lieve there's one ball ON board, we came in
such hurry. Then there's two muskets and
an cid regulation rifle down in my state room,
but they han't been fired, don't know when,
and I'd as lief stand afore 'ern as behind 'em.
But our ships as handsome looking craft as
you'll see; and couldn't we look wicked ike
now and try to frighten that cut-throat rascal?"
u confess was at first startled at the cap
tain's opinion Of the strange sail, and his rea-
soning left me hardly hope that his Judgment
was not correct; but his cool and collected
manner impressed me with confidence in bis
management, and told him he knew best
what we should do, and would second as
best could. He walked up and down the
cabin twice; then rubbed his hands together
as If pleased with his own idea.
~ have it, " he cried, 'spl just 60 on deck
and pat things in order, and in the meantime
you'd better amuse yourself looking out your
pistols, ifyou have any; for if he wont be con-
tent with a look at us, well have to fight"
hurriedly took my fowling piece and pis-
tolls from the cases, for somehow refused to
allow myself to believe there would be any oc-
casion for their use, yet loaded them all with
ball and in each Of the pistols put a brace this
done went on deck. where found the cap
tain surrounded by his crew, telling them hi
plan Of action.
"But" said he "maybe we'll have to fight.
II them Williams have mind to try us they'll
send boat on board, and / want to know if
you'll help me to keep them off. You see it's
most tdikely they viii make you walk the plank
whether you fight or no., if they get on board,
and | calculate, if you do just as / tell you,
wen frighten 'em"
There was hearty "Aye, aye, sir" to this
short harangue.
"Thankee, thankee, boys" said the captain
snow we'll not show another stitch of canvas
but seem to take no more notice of the fellow
than if we didn't see him; and if he does try to
come on board then we'll show 'em what we
can do"
Our captain was about fifty years old, rath-
er short and stout, but muscular; his face was
bronzed with time and tempest, and his locks
which had once been black, were grizzled by
the same causes. He was an old sailor and
staunch republican; and as some of his men
told tales of fights in which their captain had
borne part presumed he had served, when a
young man, in the navy of the States
The crew were busy in obedience to his or
ders, cutting up square top-gallant mast into
logs of about four feet long; these were i'm
mediately painted black with round spot in
the centre of each end, so rs to bear tolerable
resemblance of pieces of cannon, and with
two old six Founders were placed, one at each
port on our deck, five on a side, but the ports
were to be kept closed until the captain gave
the order to open them, when they were to be
raised as quickly as possible and the logs to
he 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 carronade or fourteen FOUNDER was
hoisted up. These things being arranged, the
captain went below, and the crew mustered in
knots to wonder and talk about what was to
be DONE
In the meantime we had not shifted or hoist
cd single sail, but were as if perfectly re-
gardless OF the schooner. Not so with her
however, for beside large square sail and
square top sail on the foremast, she had run
out small fore topmast studding sails, and
onward she came, right before pretty smart
breeze, yawing from side to side, at one mo-
ment sinking stern foremost into the trough of
the sea, as an enormous wave rolled out from
under her. and at the next, forced head-long
onward by her successor, while broad white
sheet toffoam spread out aroundher, giving beau
tful lrelief to her hull testifying how rapidly she
was going through the water. could not help
thinking of the captains expression, for she GER
tainly did walk up to us like nothing, and as
there appeared no time TO lose, went down to
the cabin to assume my weapons.
The captain was there arranging some pa
pers and bottle was before him. into which
he had put a letter.
Maybe" said he, something1l happen to
me; for if them bloody pirates won't be cheat
ed, | will be the first to suffer, and natural
enough, too, for all the mischief they'll suffer
will be by orders, just because didn't like to
be overhsuled like an old tarpaulin by every
rascal who chooses to say hcave to, on high
seas But never mind, only should you escape,
just drop the bottle and letter overheard, II
you think you can't deliver it yourself"
Now had never seriously considered the
probability that | might also be killed in the
approaching melee, for thought that the cap
tain intended to throw open his ports and show
his sham guns, and of course the schooner
would take fright. But when he began to talk
about death in such serious strain began to
feel very uncomfortable; and not being natu-
raj warrior, wished myself any place else than
on board the Patrick Henry. There | was,
however, without any chance of escape and
suggested to the captain that it would be as
well for me to put letter in the bottle also, in
case Of any accident 10 both Of us, which was
agreed to, and we arranged, that if either sur.
vived and had the opportunity the letter of the
cho L. 4 -.