Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 3 September 1848 — John Shaqi
Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 3 September 1848Various
General
Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 3 September 1848
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
As the pirate bore down upon his brig, Captain Greene perceived, by
aid of his glass, that the number of the crew on board was
considerably superior to his own, even with the addition of the crew
of the Betsy Allen. In consideration of this fact, he determined to
fight her at a distance with his long gun. This he still kept
concealed amidships, under the canvas, desiring to impress fully upon
his opponent the idea of his inferiority.
Leaving the vessels thus situated, let us visit the pirate again.
Julia, and John in his disguise, were conveyed to his deck, where they
were speedily separated. Julia was conducted below, where, to her
surprise and joy, she found a companion of her own sex, in the person
of Florette.
The wounded commander of the pirate was also conveyed to his berth,
where Florette, with much grief, attended to nurse him. It was in her
first passionate burst of sorrow that Julia discovered her love for
the pirate, from which circumstance she also derived consolation and
relief; and having already, with the natural firmness of her mind,
shaken off the deep despondency which had settled upon it when first
torn from her father, she began to resolve upon the course of action
she would pursue, in every probable event which might befall her.
During the long night the pirate lay groaning and helpless; but such
was the strength of his will, and the all absorbing nature of his
hatred, that when informed on the succeeding morning that a vessel was
in sight, he aroused his physical powers sufficiently to reach the
deck, where, seating himself on the companion-way, he watched the
strange sail with an interest so intense, that he almost forgot his
painful wounds.
He had hardly taken his position before the captain of the Raker
uncovered and ran out his long gun, and to the surprise of all on
board the pirate, a huge shot, evidently sent from a gun much larger
than they had supposed their antagonist to possess, came crashing
through their main-sail.
Too late the pirates perceived the error into which they had fallen;
and were aware of the immense advantage which the long gun gave their
opponent, enabling him, in fact, to maintain his own position beyond
the reach of their fire, and at the same time cut every mast and spar
on board the pirate-brig to pieces, unless, indeed, the latter might
be fortunate enough, by superior sailing, to get beyond the reach of
shot without suffering material injury.
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