Year: 1861

| AS evening was approaching we saw tho


pirate again make use of her sweeps, anc


she advanced this time SO close to us thai


with the naked eye we could see her decks


swarming with men, and long Tom" Con


large swivel gum amid-ships. at once
ordered every man to his station. as we all
anticipated an immediate attack but, to our
astonishment, after deliberate survey, she


went about, and swept back again to her
prize. She evidently thought we were
rather too we'll armed and prepared for an
easy prey during daylight, so we once moro
set ourselves for our long and anxious night
watch. Some Of our men were so wearied
out that | sent them below to snatch little
rest but by nightfall, of their own accord,
all hands had again mustered on deck.


The lights were once more extinguished,
and [ was pacing the poop with silent and
sorrowful steps, when suddenly felt cool
air tanning my check. Yes, truly, it was
no delusion; breeze had sprung up at last!
Thank God! Instantly springing down
upon deck gave orders to set every stitch
upon her "bclow and aloft," and to trim the
yards so as to feel the full benefit of the
breeze. All was now hustle and activity !;
and after altering our course, by the skip
pers good advice, we once more heard the
joyful ripple of the waters as they danced by
the good ships bows.


But our JOY was short-livcd, for just as
we were congratulating ourselves on our de-
i
plished


[ was standing on the lee-quartcr, watch
ing what progress our ship was making,
when [ distinctly heard sound that sent
blood tingling to my very extrcmities, and
almost paralysed me. Mu6zea oars! from
one, two, three different points Silence
was useless now, so I sprang amongst the
crew, and shouting at the top of my voice ::
Men, to your stations the enemy's boats
are alongside p' 1 rushed to the gun on the
larboard side, and hurried old Joe and his
comrades to the other, and, with the crew
about equally divided between us, VIC silent
ly awaited the attack, each of us being arm
ed with a couple of cannon balls in our
hands. We had not long to wait, for, find
ing by the hustle on board that they were
discovered, the pirates, with a yell, pulled
boldly under: the main channels, and in an
isg sl!.s
been anon gst US, but shouting to my nen,
"Lct them have it, boys!' hurled the
heavy balls with all my strength into the
boat, and prepared to defend myself with
my sword But the avalanche Of cold iron
had done its work, and the boat alongside
was mass Of shattered timbers, with her
rulfian crew already beaten down and strug-
Cling with the water for their lives, except
two fellows who were now in the rigging a
blow from my trusty sword disposed of one
wretch, whilst shot from one of the crow
gave his quietus the other.


Hearing struggle on the starboard side
of the deck, rushed over with my division
and soon found we had enough and to spare
still on our hands.


Old Joe and his party had given the 9th
or two boats much the same reception that
our enemy had received, but not with such
complete and smashing effect, for one of them
appeared to have escaped damage altogether,
and the other was only partially submerged.



the flash Of smallarms were raging around
us, so, seeing that not moment was to be
lost, we let fly the old carronade, depressed
to the utmost, at the uninjured boat, which,
from the cries AMI yesls chat succeeded the
report, appeared to be no longer. But in
the meantime several of the pirates had sue
ceeded in gaining the deck, and the dark
ness prevented our seeing the full extent of
our danger SO retrcating to the undischarg-
ed gun, we ran it in as quickly as possible,
and Slowed it round on to the ships deck !;
We then threw ball of blazing tow anon gst
the panic~strickcn pirates, and gave them
the contents of the old gun at only few
yards distance, tearing our own bulwarks
to pieces, but clfectually DISCRIMINATING the
savages who had gained the deck


Finding on examination, that we were
completely victorious, and sole masters of
the deck, we had once moro leisure to look
around; and great was our joy and gratitude
to God when we found that the brigatine
had not herself followed up the attack trust
ing, | suppose, to the number in the boats.
and confident of success, she still remained
in the same position as when darkness closed
in, for l could distinguish her lights from
her masthead and main peak, intended as
signals for the guidance of the pirates DOOM
ed never to return to her.


We dared not yet congratulate ourselves
on being in safety, but squaring the yards
we ran dead before the rapidly increasing
breeze for the rest of the night; but the
morning broke dull and squally, and, after
one rapid glance around, we came to the
glorious certainty was no longer in sight.


Two gentlemen were walking togeth-
er in Paris. II will engage" said one to
the other, Ito give the man before me good
kicking, and yet he shall not be angry


He did rs he had undertaken to do. The
stranger turned around and looked astonish
ed. II beg your pardon" said the kicker;
II took you for the Duke de la Tremonille. :"