The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-19

SUPP IN Iull chase OF our vessel, and, but
for some merciful interpostion of Provi-
deuce, we seemed doomed for capture.
| walked up to the captain :-HWell," !" |
said, "the secrets at last out?
" Yes, knew her from the FIRST but
tried the chance of au escape, not knowing
whether she might have seen us or not /;
but, you see, we have failed. She is one
of the most determined pirates in these
seas-manned by "a crew Of about the big
gest rufians that ever trod deck.
" But what is to be done2 asked.
" Surely, you do not think of offering
resistauce?'
"There is no other way for IL; at all
events, we must try. We may wing her,
and escape"
But, if you fail, you will only have
exasperated them, and provoked their re-
venge."
"Resist or not, we have no mercy to
hope for from them, and my minds made
up
But what means Of resistance have
you? Your vessel is short-manned; you
are without guns or ammunition"
:" You have not yet seen our means; aud
such as they are, we must use them
against that rufFian ?"
His eve glanced again in the direction
of the pursuing ship. She was a long, low
sort of craft, evidently very swift. Her
foremast and bowsprit were immensely
strong, and of great length, both covered
with canvas, under press of which she
came bowling along, the now freshening
breeze filling her sails. The rapidity with
which she gained on us, showed that we
had no chance of escape by fight. Our
every rag of canvas had been for some
time set, and the old numbering ship,
heavily laden as she was, went snorting
and groaning through the water. The
match was as unequal as between a cart.
horse and thoroughbred racer.
Turning my eyes again towards the
deck, | found the men all activity and
hustle. One group observed busily en-.
gagged in breaking and saving old iron
hoops and spikes. These were for grape
shot
& But where are the guns p | asked Of
Che captain.
"You shall see presently" he replied
"the men are dragging them from their
concealment below, for we carry more than
the regulation number. In the mean.
time, may | ask you to 90 below, and
break the matter to your fellow passengers
There may be some of the gentlemen not
unwilling to aid in the defence of the
ship. At present cannot leave tho deck.
My wife Pa shudder seemed to pass
across his face, and he added-"would to
heaven she had not been here p
| pressed his hand and went below.
Need | say what screaming, sobbing, and
crying there was, when l informed my fel-
low passengers of the danger so near at
hand. One tender girl there was, fair and
graceful beautiful as light, who displayed
the most charming courage and self-pos-
session. She was on her way home to
England, in search of the health which she
had lost amid the hot swamps of the
tropics 1t might be that she felt the hand
of death already upon her, and the ties
that bound her to life were thus feeble.
She tried to soothe the shrieking women,
cheered those who seemed as if stricken
down by their terror, and urged upon all
to reflect, that it was their duty rather to
aid and encourage those who were about
to risk their lives for their protection, than
to embarrass and distress them by shrek
ing and Glamour. The captains wife |
found, was more composed than the Others;
and she suggested that the other females
should at once proceed to disguise them.
selves in ordinary seamen's clothes, and
proceed upon deck, SO as if possible to es-
cape detection, in event Of the ship being
boarded by the pirates.
left them engaged in these prepara.
tions, and fastened upon deck. / foupd
that the men had now dragged from their
concealment nine eighteen. pound carron-
ades which were mounted and ready for ac-
ton. Some were busiIy engaged in loadino
them, each with round shot and bag
of iron cuttings, broken nails and musket
buIlets-the most destructive Kind Of
grape. They worked as if life and death
depended on their efforts, which was indeed
the case. OF the eleven gentlemen mas.
senpers on board. Of nearly all nations The