True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-01-06

'"' WV. W O"P" NP'"hS' ""o 81" oO"S
received all the necessary instructions and
set sail for their destination.
The schooner had fair wind, and she
went walking along in right merry mood
at the late Of six and seven knots, moth.
ing of Importance occurring until one
morning just after Sam had cleared away
the breakfast things. (Sam was the
youngest and had to do these things. y
Well just as Sam had got the last tIn-pan
cleanly washed and slowed away in the
locker, he happened 10 cas-. his eyes out
Of the cabin window, aud as the schoon.
er's stern rose upon the top of heavy
sea, The iut;er Of white sail caught his
attention off upon the starboard quarter,
and Fastening upon deck he made known
his discovery. In less than half an hour
the stranger was made out 10 be a top
mast schooner, coming down directly up
on Them. The down easter was heading
s s. w. aid had The wind from the north
ward and westward, while the stranger
was coming down wing.and wing before
il. Now there was nothing very aston
ishing about seeing a strange schooner in
these latitudes, but still Capt. Spinnet
could not help feeling that under existing
circumstances there might be danger
abroad. Had the sail in question been
discovered ahead or astern. or had she
even been making in for the coast, moth
ing would have been thought Of it; but
as it was, the old fishermen could only
think that he was the sole object Of the
fellows course. .....
"Seth," said the old man, turning to
his eldest son, who had the helm, that
chap is after us no mistake"
"Spose we luff a bit an see" remark
ed Seth. -.
"Try it."
The fsherman's head was brought
three points nearer to the wind, and in ;
few moments afterwards the stranger.
main boom was swung over, sae too, va
rying her course in proportion.
That settles it," said Capt. Spinnet.
NOW. my boys, that feller's pirate"
"A pirate 7" interrogated the four
sons, while slight blanch appeared upon
their cheeks.
"Yes," replied the old man, "I've
been in these waters before and know
sometin' about these chaps. If that'd
been an honest craft, they wouldn't q
dedged US in such a fashion, for its the
same one | saw last night. Now il he'd
been on any particular course he wouldn't
been there, for you see be can sail twice
as fast as we can. an he ought to a been
out Of sight long afore this"
"Then what are we 10 do, dad 7" ask
ed Seth as he brought the Schooner once
more upon her true course.
We must wait an see what he's q
gOin' to do frst," coolly replied the old
man, at the same timc raising the long
glass to his eye. -..-
"There just look at her." continued The
captain as he handed The glass to An
drew.
"Full of men by thunder u exclaim
ed the latter as his eye caught the head.
Of some twenty or thirty ill-looking chaps
who we're crowded around the pursuer'
bows. ...
Whatever may have been the doubts
that existed in the minds Of our Yankees
they were all put TO rest in short tim'
by tie very agreeable whistle Of an eigh
teen pound sho. just under their stern.
"That means for US 10 heave to-" re
marked The old man. ..... .
"Then guess we'd better do i, hadn'
we" said Seth. .
"Of COURSE"
Accordingly the Betsy Jenkins wa
brought up into the wind and her mai
boom hauled over to windward. "
"Now boys" said the old man, a
soon as the schooner came 10 a stand
"all we can do is to keep as cool as pos
sible, and trust TO fortune. There is n
way to escape that l can see now, bu
prehaps il we are civil they will tax
such stuff as they want, and le! us CO.
At any rate there is no use in cryin
about it, for it cant be helped. Now
get your pistols and see that they ar
surely loaded, and have your knives rea
dy, but be sure and hide them go that tn
pirates shall she no show Of resistance.
In few moments all tho arms whic
the schooner afforded with the exceptiU
Of one or two old muskets, were secure
about the persons Of The down casters
and they quietly awaited the coming Q
the schooner. -t... ''a. %"
), One word more, boys" said the ol
man, just as the pirate came round uude
The stern. Now watch every movemer
| make and be ready ,ojump the momer
| speak, 's.c'' '..' H.'. sasa .H
AZ Captain Spinnet ceased speaking
the pirate hffed under the fisherman'sl le,
quarter and in o moment more the latter
: deck was graced by the presence Of
dozen as savags looking lnortals as ey,
ever rested upon. ..aa .sE3
"Are you the captain Of this vesseli
asked the leader Of the boarders, as
approached the old man. 7i'1 a#et Of
"Yes sif.''s HJ 7't ett .5F
: "Wha. Is your cargo p
~ i" Machinery for steam ingins."