1 
28 VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. [Octobei, 
refreshments, the commodore shaped }iis course for the capital 
of the Brazihan empire. 
In approaching the equator, a rather unusual share of baffling 
winds and showers of rain were thought to prevail. In latitude 
of about three, north, on the night of Saturday, the first of Oc- 
tober, a brilliant light was seen from the deck, in a northwest 
direction. Many believed it a vessel on fire ; but on more atten- 
tive examination, it was found to be a whale-ship, " taking care" 
of the successful labours of the preceding day. 
On the following morning, which was Sunday, the vessels 
were so near each other, that the commodore allowed a boat to be 
lowered, to board the whaler. She proved to be the ship Mer- 
cury, forty days from New-Bedford, bound to the Pacific; having 
had the good fortune to take a " hundred barrel" spermaceti, not 
a common circumstance ; as, we believe, that of more than ten 
thousand a year taken by our ships, only four have been known 
to produce more than one hundred and twenty barrels. 
This vessel, the Mercury, had been distinguished as the swift- 
est sailer in the South Sea fleet; and had gained no little 
notoriety in the year 1828, in a trial of speed with the United 
States frigate Brandywine, both leaving Payta, on the coast of 
Peru, and beating dead against the southerly tradewinds ; in 
which contest the Mercury came out in advance. A similar 
trial of speed took place between the whaler and our own goodly 
ship, as win be seen directly. 
At meridian, on the second of October, a sail was reported 
from aloft, directly ahead, and standing for us. At half past two, 
we had neared the stranger sufficiently to perceive that she was 
a clipper brig ; and she, on her part, appeared to be satisfied with 
the view she had of the frigate, as she soon tacked, and stood on 
the same course as ourselves, which was directly opposite to her 
track when first discovered. At three, P. M., beat to quarters, 
and' run in the gun-deck guns, closed up the ports, and otherwise 
disguised the Potomac as a merchantman, as much as possible. 
It was about a four-knot breeze, and all the sail we could put on 
the ship to advantage, had been spread from the first of the chase ; 
at dark we lost sight of her, about two points on our weather 
bow, and distant about five miles. The Mercury was now near 
us, on our weather quarter. We had gained considerably on the 
