Year: 1862


pilot-boat.


The shores of England faded from our
sight, and we were on the open sea. Wehaa
fair Winds Ind foul stiff gaies ana geHtle
breezes, and became q sailor We crossed
the line, doubled the Cape of Good Hope,
and sailed on weeks and weeks through the
Indian seas to Batavia, and then to Canton.
When our voyage was completed we sailed
homewaId again.


'One day, as we were reaching our north
ern latitudes, my captain came hastily into
the cabin to get his spy;gass, and I followed
him on deck. There was vessel in sight
bearing down directly for us. She had chan.
gcd her course since we first saw her, and it
was evident she meant to come near us.


MY captain took q long look at her. Well,
said |, standing at his elbow, and taking the
glass from his hand.


You have good eyes, darling, said he,
see what you can make Of her.


I adjusted the glass to my eye, and looked
intently. 1T is an armed vessel, said |. 4
see ports and large gun amdShips.


you are quite corrcct--as usual, said my
captain.


But she does not look like man-ofwar,
said I, and do not think she is English


Nc more is she, said he Either war has
been declared, and she is privateer, Or she
is a cursed pirate


4 never vas coward. held the glass
steadily in my hands, and watched the brig
as she bore down with all sail set, and it was
evident that she was a good sailor. There
had been talk of war before weleGt England,
but my father did not believe in it. shud-
dered at the idea of its being pirate.


Whatever she may be-, said my captain
she has no business with US. shall give
her try at all events. So We tackled the
ship and stood off in the contrary direction
from that in which we had been sailing The
stranger had tackled also before we were
well on our course. In half an hour she had
gained perceptibly.


She can beat US on wind, said my cap
tain, looking very serious. There is nothing
for us but to show the cleanest pair Of heels
we can. ..


Round we went to our best point of sail
ing; out went the studding-sails, the cargo
was shifted to give our ship the best possible
trim, the sails were wet; but it was soon ap
parent that, after all we had done, the brig
was gaining on us-slowly indeed, but GER
tainly gaining


"A stern chase is long chase, Calista
darling, said my captain, cheerily; but
could see that he was not all satisfied Will
the aspect of things


'You know am not cowardly, said I, tel
me just how it is.


Il know your soul is bigger than you
body, my darling, said he. This rascal,
brig gains on u.s. five can have foul wealth
er tonight, we may change Our course and
loose sight ofher--I see no other hope. w
are not strong enough to fight her.


There are muske s and pistols below,
said l, and we have two cannon on deck.


Well enough to frighten savages or bea
off Malaypirates; but that brig is well armed
and must have plenty of men, by the wa!
they handle her. If she is privateer, vi
must surrender if pirate, we must fight
Her Long Tom will make oven wood of US
but we must take our chance


| We held on, praying for night and storm
and darkness. The full moon rode high il
the heavens, and silvercd the waves through
which our good ship plowcd CALAMITY. Near
or and nearer came our pursuer. Once tho
wind freshened, and we seemed to gain
slight advantage, but it soon fell off, ant
the brig crept nearer and nearer Few slept
| By the full morning light there lay thehand
some brig, full over our taffrail, bounding
along with a bone in her mouth My brave
husband walked the deck in sore trouble =
He had made the best possible preparations
for defense, the crew were ready to obey his
orders, but the case was hopeless, ,..


Astho light increased ! watched the brig
closely through the glass, trying to aacer
tain the character of our pursuer. A flag Of
stars and stripes went up to her masthead
and the smoke Of cannon curled up from
her deck. 1t wins the first signal. The com.
mander of the brig was in the field of my
glass and my worst fears we're dispelled