THE SAILORS STORY.
{"newspaper_name": "The Washingtonian.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
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Soon after the Revolutionary war, sailed
in noble ship on voyage to Europe, via
West Indies. One morning we spoke brig,
who informed US that the day before she saw
the smoke of a vessel, and saw another vessel,
small schooner, near it at the time, that was
evidently pirate; and that she was chased
by the latter many hours, and only escaped by
altering her course in fog. After delibera-
tion, it was concluded to alter our course and
proceed Soon the breeze died away, and a
dense fog came on. Just about midnight the
wind freshened, and the fog began to disperse.


The wind continued to freshen, and we were
just about to call help to take in sail, as the
old ship was ploughing through the waves at
a fearful rate, right before the gale; when all
at once we caught glimpse Of a sail. The
captain was called, and by the time he was on
deck the. pirate schooner, sure enough, was
within hail, crossing our track. ~


We were instantly saluted with a gun, and
with orders to heave to, and come alongside.
The captain groaned, but answered, aye, aye.
By the light Of the moon we saw the glitter
Of firearms, and the men streaming out Of the
gangway, until the deck was almost covered.
The noise awakened our passengers, and they
were now on deck, half dressed, wringing their
hands, and bemoaning the fate that awaited
them.


There was no time to deliberate. Run away
we could not; and as to fighting, we had
scarce gun on board. But the captain in an
instant took the helm, and shouted, stand by,
my boys, but wait orders. Every man was al
the halyards, expecting orders TO tack, or take
in sail, which our movements undoubtedly led
the pirate to suppose we were about to do.


Just then they were about TO cross our bows,
and shouted, ,Luf, Inf! with torrent Of
oaths and threats, and even orders to fire, but
all to no purpose. Our captain put the bows
Of his great ship head on, about midships Of
his adversary; and though the shock was tre-
mendous, and threw us to the deck, yet i,
stove through and went over, and the pirate
schooner was no more. And in ten minute:
after they fired their gun, every soul on boart
was buried in the blue waves; while we wen
on our voyage rejoicing, with very little dam
age.