MARTIN RATTLER. 49

“South and by east, sir,’ answered the man at the
wheel.

“Keep her away two points, Look alive, lads.
Hand me the glass, Martin.”

The ship was close-hauled when these abrupt
orders were given, battling in the teeth of a stiff
breeze, off the coast of South America, About this
time several piratical vessels had succeeded in cutting
off a number of merchantmen near the coast of Brazil,
They had not only taken the valuable parts of their
cargoes, but had murdered the crews under circum-
stances of great cruelty. 'The ships trading to these
regions were, consequently, exceedingly careful to
avoid all suspicious craft as much as possible. It
was, therefore, with some anxiety that the men
watched the captain’s face as he examined the strange
sail through the telescope.

“A Spanish schooner,” muttered the captain, as he
shut up the glass with a bang. “I won’t trust her.
Up with the royals and rig out stun’-sails, Mr. Wilson,
(to the mate). Let her fall away, keep her head nor-
west, d’ye hear ?”

“ Ay, ay, sir.”

“Let go the lee braces and square the yards.
Look sharp, now, lads. If that blackguard gets hold

of us, yell have to walk the plank, every man of ye.”
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