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ADVENTURE WITH PIRATES. 



Chap. XIII. 



deck, and tlie passengers crowded the deck in 

 front of tlie house. Every eye was fixed upon 

 the motions of the pirates. 



When our excitement was at the highest pitch 

 the pirates hoisted a signal, which was a welcome 

 sight to our crew, and although I have, perhaps, 

 as much bravery as the generality of people, I 

 confess it was a welcome sight to myself. The 

 signal which produced such results was neither 

 more nor less than a Chinaman's jacket hoisted 

 in the rigging. I believe any other article of 

 clothing would do equally well. It will not be 

 found in Marryat's code, but its meaning is, " Let 

 us alone and we will let you." This amicable 

 arrangement was readily agreed to ; a jacket was 

 hoisted in our rigging as a friendly reply to the 

 pirates, and we passed through their lines un- 

 harmed. 



During the time they were in sight we observed 

 several vessels from the north fall into their hands. 

 They were in such numbers, and their plans were 

 so well laid, that nothing that passed in daylight 

 could possibly escape. Long after we had lost 

 sight of their vessels we saw and pitied the un- 

 suspecting northern junks running down with a 

 fair wind and all sail into the trap which had 

 been prepared for them. 



We experienced head-winds nearly the whole 

 way, and, consequently, made a long passag'e, and 

 had frequentty to anchor. I rather think Andrew 

 attributed this luck to the two clergymen we had 



