athwart of the “Two Marys,” to the ruin of Captain Luke Snider and his good wife.  Seeing this, the major looked confusedly for a few seconds, then alighted with extraordinary agility, and retired to the cabin, saying he would get his sword and be prepared to give the fellow a warm reception, since he believed him a Sound pirate, in search of plunder.  Instead, however, of returning with his sword, he thought it as well to imitate the course pursued by so many of our valiant politicians, and quietly took a seat upon one of the lockers, where he waited with breathless suspense, as if expecting every minute to see the stranger’s cutwater pierce the quarter of the “Two Marys.”  As for old Battle, he had left him with a benediction, to which he now added sundry prayers for his deliverance.  It was not, he said, because he had any very strong fears of death, but solely in consideration of what his country would suffer by his loss.

And while the major was thus offering up his devotions, the strange brig ran close down to the “Two Marys,” close hauled her sails, and passed astern with a sort of coquettish contempt for so small a craft.  In truth, she mistook the sloop for a fisherman, and bore up for her in the hope of procuring some fresh caught cod; but finding she was mistaken, was glad enough to be rid of her.

“Upon my word,” ejaculated the major, with an air of regained courage, for he was certain the stranger must have passed, “just let the fellow come; and if his timbers be not like iron, Major Potter will give them a shivering.”  The major now took down his sword, and making several strokes, as if to test the strength of his arm, swore not to lose so excellent an opportunity of making mince meat of every rascal who dared to molest the “Two Marys.”  Again appearing upon deck, he cast several anxious glances to windward, and then, having given his head a significant toss, inquired what had become of the stranger.  “Pray, look the right way, and be not deceived with your eyes open,” spoke Captain Snider, giving his head a toss, and pointing astern.  “Magic, and nothing else, got him so far out of reach in so short a space,” re—­the major, with a flourish of his sword, at the same time declaring his readiness to give old Battle and the gifted pig, if the “Two Marys” would but go in chase of her.

“Faith, sir, I think it would be as well to let peace reign between you; for though the “Two Marys” is as staunch a craft as ever floated, and might with safety be put upon the chase, I am not so sure what time she would come up.  And if you will be cool for the present, I promise in due time you shall have a chance at an enemy big enough to test your metal; but it must not be said that blood has been shed on board of my packet; for I am a poor man, and, heaven save us, if I should be brought to trial in New York, but it would go hard with me, for I have heard it said that there the rich may murder, but the poor only are punished for such crimes.”