in peril; and the sailor, as he stands forth in defense of a shipmate, never stops to ask whether he has any authority for his course of conduct, or to reflect upon the consequences. It is enough that his big soul speaks; were it the devil he was to meet, he would face him.

The point was soon passed. At a single glance we saw both the danger of the sternmost brig, and the timely assistance we could render her. She was about three miles distant from us, while the pirate was within half of a mile of her, and had we not have come out, the Medford would soon have shared the fate of the Nestor. Unfortunately for us, so far as related to the immediate capture of the pirate, the moment we were seen, he hauled his wind and stood directly out to sea. At this we were, of course, much surprised, as he could not have feared a little sloop like ours, nor from her appearance could he have suspected our intention. Upon our return we learnt the cause. When the plan was adopted ashore of proceeding against the schooner, a treacherous scoundrel,* who was leagued with the pirates, immediately started off with the greatest speed to give the alarm to his brother fiends. We observed, as we reached the point, a white flag flying upon a neighboring hill, but had no idea that it was in any way connected with the object of our pursuit. This however was the case, and the pirate, although thus informed of our expedition, still kept up the chase until we rounded the point, and then, trusting to the speed of his vessel, altered his course. Our sloop was a fast sailer, especially when going "close hauled,” and in a very short time it was evident, that we not only could keep up with the schooner, but that we also gained upon her. The breeze was fresh, and we ploughed through the water at no ordinary rate. Even the little Huron herself seemed conscious that she was engaged in a noble cause, rushing forth as the avenger of blood. Every bosom was fired for the contest,-none thought of the danger, or dreamt of the possibility of our own capture.

'Och! by the powers!' said a tall brawny Irishman, who, on account of his great strength had been appointed commander of one of the guns, 6 sure if these water-bastes dint git a good murthering, then by saint Pathrick may I niver put my shoul in old Ireland agin. Jist let me old gun have a chance to make a bit of a spache to ye, honeys, and she'll tache ye to come killing innicint men agin.'

'Ah, Oui,' said a Frenchman, 'de d-d pirate sall never, by Gar, escape to steal any more monish. Ve vill make him laugh in de oder side of his teeth and choke his troat up to de yardarm.'

* This wretch a few months after, fell down dead in the public street.

'I guess as how we'll fix him,' added the green hand; 'I'll pepper his beans for him, darn me if I don't; and I reckon I'll make him pay up for what the tother feller did to us tother day.'

We continued during the afternoon to gain upon the pirate, but were unable to overtake him before sunset. He was then about two thirds of a mile ahead, and had the day light lasted he would soon have felt what sailors can do in the way of punishing. The darkness, however, soon shut him out from our sight, and after. continuing the chase for about an hour, not only did we think it useless to proceed any farther, as the pirate might already have tacked and now be standing in shore, but owing also to the haste in which we had started, there were not provisions aboard sufficient for so many men. Reluctantly did we decide upon returning, and it was not without much difficulty that the men were persuaded to abandon the chase. The sloop was put off before the wind, and we steered for the harbor. Sad indeed was our disappointment, that we had been thus foiled in our effort to destroy the miscreants, and yet the recollection that, beyond doubt, we had been the means of rescuing at least one of the brigs, afforded us no small reward for all our trouble. That many on the shore were leagued with the pirates was now evident, from the signals which were continued to be made. All along the hills, for the distance of five miles, bonfires were blazing, for the double purpose of serving as a telegraph, according as the number was increased or diminished, to inform the pirates whether we had returned or not, or for guiding them to a place of rendezvous. About midnight we reached the point. The sea breeze had died away, and the wind was now blowing from the southeast. During one of the tacks (as we were obliged to beat up) while standing in towards the western shore, unfortunately we stretched a little too far and grounded upon one of the ledges. Here we remained for several hours, and indeed until the next forenoon. This fact would not have been introduced but for the purpose of sketching an incident which took place while we were thus situated.

After we perceived that nothing could be done to get the sloop off until morning, the greater part of us lay down to catch a short nap, a watch having been appointed who could awaken all hands in case of an emergency. Just before the day dawned a sail was observed at a short distance beating in, and so far as she could be distinguished, appeared to be a foretopsail schooner. The watch therefore thought that this might be the pirate, who had perhaps been informed of our situation and was now coming to attack us while lying at such disadvantage. As the sloop was aground aft, her bow, being afloat, had swung directly off from the shore. But few of our guns therefore could be brought to bear againt the enemy with any effect, while he could choose his distance and rid

dle us at his pleasure. All hands were immediately called and every preparation for defense made. Two of the guns were pointed over the bows and the coffee bags piled up as a breastwork, behind which we might protect ourselves from the fire of the enemy. The suspicious craft, in the meanwhile, had tacked and was now standing off into deeper water.

'Stand by, my good fellows,' said our commander, 'and let us see who this stranger may be.. On the next tack he will just about reach the sloop, and should he manifest any intention of troubling us, be ready to meet him. I will hail the vessel twice as she approaches, and should no answer be given at the second time, let fly every thing you have. Give no quarter, my men, for you will receive none.'

Unluckily, our courage had been screwed up to the sticking point merely to be screwed down again. The schooner was soon observed standing in towards the shore. Every man was on his knees behind the coffee bags, with his musket pointed over them, ready for the command to fire. Nearer and still nearer she approached in perfect silence, save the splashing of the water under her bow, and the deep breathings of our men.

'Ship ahoy,' said Captain L.

No answer was returned. Every man cocked his musket and took a surer aim. The match was almost in contact with the priming of the cannon when the captain again shouted,

'Ship a-h-o-y?'

'H-0-1-1-0!' echoed across the waters.

'What schooner is that?'

'The Diamond from New Orleans.'

Immediately the vessel rounded up in the wind, and as she fell off on the other tack we were satisfied that our adventure was at an end.

VALEDICTORY.

"Thus far with rough and all unable pen,
The feeble author hath pursu'd the story;

In little room confining noble men,

Mangling by starts the full course of their story."—Shakspeare.

Reader! in these few sketches I have attempted, but very feebly, to portray for thee some of the peculiar features in the character of a sailor. Those incidents have been selected in which I have personally been interested, as affording me the power of delineating from experience. If I have introduced myself too often, do not, I crave thee, brand me as an egotist. My motive has been a good one, viz., that I might present thee with sketches from real life. If I have failed not merely to please but also to instruct, I pray thee forget that which I have written and forgive my folly. If I have succeeded, grant me thy kind benison.

Which, put together, make me sad.
Now do not call it folly;

For poets have, and ever had,
The right to be both mad and glad,
And to be melancholy.

We all stand on time's awful shore !
Earth's joys are woo'd-not won
The winds awake, the waters roar--
A few brief days, and life is o'er--
Ere life is well begun!

Yale College.

ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES.

No. IV.

(Being principally descriptions of Ancient Medals, &c., translated from the Latin.)

VENERIS PAPHIE TEMPLUM.- -(Incis. in Jaspide rubro.)

"IT is fabled that Venus after her birth amid the waves of the sea, was wafted first to Cythera, and afterwards to ancient Paphos on the island of Cyprus. On the former island she was worshiped in a small town called Golgoi; but when Agapenor built New Paphos, a temple was dedicated to her there. Near this temple flowed Παφίης {μερόεις νυμφήϊον ὕδωρ 5—a stream which witnessed the espousals of Venus and Adonis. Amathus likewise built a temple to Venus in Cyprus, whence she is called Amathusia by Ovid and on various coins. The image of Paphian Venus is said to have resembled a white pyramid, which accords with the description given of it by Tacitus,* and generally accredited. History informs us that no rain ever fell in the court of the temple of this divinity, where were nourished her sacred doves, which upon some coins are incorrectly changed to bees. Torches (as in this gem) were continually burning before the altar, the insignia of Nymphs and other attendants of Venus, and even of the Goddess herself. Paphian Venus was worshiped elsewhere than in Cyprus."

The fable concerning the birth of Venus is supposed simply to mean, that her worship was introduced into this island from abroad; most probably from Phoenicia. This may be inferred from the account given by Tacitus, who, after observing, "Deamque ipsam, conceptam mari, huc adpulsam," adds, "sed scientiam

* Hist. Lib. 2, Cap. 2.