Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-09-16
SCENE WITH A PIRATE.


Tuttle. We had fine passage and
we're looking forward 70 the end of our
voyage in about week. was the on
ly passenger and was of course thrown
in a 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 ves-
sci that showed itself above the horizon
Our captain was kind and civil, but there
appeared mystery about him that be
did not like to be pried into, and our COM
munication had in consequence been re-
served.
In about latitude twenty degrees, and
longitude sixty degrees, fifteen minutes,
we were running along with a fresh
breeze abeam, and all our weather stud
ding sails set. | was setting alone in the
cabin, ruminating upon the changes of
scenes and society into which had been
forced so contrary to my inclinations, and
wondering whether the happiness of a
quiet and domestic life was ever to fall to
ray lot, when the captain came down and
told me that if | was so fond of using my
glass, there was vessel just appearing
on the horizon to the windward, and that
l might 90 and see what she was, for he
could not make her out at all. Iwent on
deck and mounted into the maintop, and
began my scrutiny.
"WelI, what is she?" asked the cap.
tain flom the deck.
g can hardly make her out, but ]
think she is a schooner"
Ay-what's her course ?"
Southwest by south, think abou
the same as ourselves"
remained in the top for few min
utes, and continued looking at the stran
ger.
She seems fonder of the sea than
am" l continued, "for she might have be-
topsails and top gallants, and studdins
sails to boot, all set, instead of slipping
along under her lower sails The cap
tain made no answer, but was looking
hard at her with his eye. now per
ceived through my glass above her fore
sail. flag, Tapping against the mast.
'She must have heard me, for ther
goes her foretop-sail."
The captain now went to the compan
ION way for his glass and after looking al
tentively at her for short time,
. What's that? ?" he asked; {" is ths
her square sail she's setting? can
very we'll see from the deck
Hooked again:
Yes, It's her square sail; as I'm aliy
she's changed her course, and is bearin
down upon US"
BY this time the captain had mounte
the rigging and was standing beside me
he was eyeing the distant vessel keenl
After having apparently satisfied himse
he asked me to go with him to the cabi
as be wished to talk with me alone. u
descended to the deck, and follow,
him to the cabin. He motioned me TO
seat, and after carefully shutting the doc
"I rather expect" said he, "that f
low is pirate
"Pirate % asked in alarm.
Yes / say pirate, and I'll tell y
why. In the first place, you see, he'd
business to be sneaking along in that Z
little sort of a way, as when we first 81
him; who ever, that had any honest /
siness to do, would allow such fine bree
10 go by without showing more can'
than a powder-monkey's old breeches
catch it? Next, you see, what the m
chief has he to do with US, that, as sc
as he clapped his eyes on US, he must
ter his course, and be so anxious to
out his sail? Again, he looks just i
one of those imps of mischief, with
low black hull and his tall raking m;
But it's no use talking | tell you he
pirate, and that's as true as my names
aac Tuttle. And now the only thing
what shall we do? The Patrick He
amt Baltimore clipper, and that
fellow will walk up to US like nothing
But I'll tell you what strikes me: If
let them rascals get aboard, it's most i
ly we will walk the plank; so we'd
ter try to keep 'em out. We haint
but an old rusty carronade and two
Founders, and l don't believe there
ball on board, we came off in such
ry. Then there is two muskets anC
old regulation rifle down in my state re
but they hain't been fired, don't k
when, and I'D as lief stand afore as
hind 'em. But our ship is as hands
looking craft as you'll see and cou
III -. Il al isL, a r.otxr and fry IN fri