S.W. In the early
part of the gale we had the weather very thick, with heavy squalls of
rain, clearing about nightfall, with the wind from the W.S.W.
In the midst of a heavy squall of wind and rain, and with a heavy sea
on, we discovered a brig close aboard of us, on our weather quarter; but
as we were on opposite tacks we soon increased our distance from each
other. Wore ship, and hove to, under close-reefed topsails on the
starboard tack. Being about a degree to the southward of St. George's
Bank, got a cast of the lead at 7 P.M., with no bottom at eighty-five
fathoms. Lat. 39.47 N., Long. 68.06 W., a little over two hundred miles
from New York.
_Tuesday, October 28th_.--Weather cloudy; wind light from the north,
hauling to the eastward. The heavy sea, from the effects of the gale
yesterday, continued all day rolling and tumbling us about, and keeping
the deck flooded with water. In the morning watch descried a brig
running off to the southward. She being some distance off, and running
in the wrong direction, we did not chase. Soon afterwards another sail
was reported to the westward, standing in our direction; shaped a course
to head her off, and at 11 A.M., having approached her within half a
mile, hoisted the English blue. The stranger showing United States
colours, we hoisted our own, and hove him to with a gun. Brought the
master on board with his papers, and finding the cargo condemnable, got
the crew on board, fired the ship, and filled away.
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