Page:Demon ship, or, The pirate of the Mediterranean.pdf/5

Rh dense, and portentous mist in the atmosphere, as prevented her victims from descrying her approach until they fell, as it were, into her very jaws. Innumerable were the vessels that had left different ports in the MeditcrraneanMediterranean [sic] to disappear forvever. It seemcdseemed [sic] the cruel practice of the Demon to sink her victims in their own vessels.

The Demon Ship was talked of from thcthe [sic] ports of the LcvantLevant [sic] to Gibraltar; and no vessel held herself in secure waters until she had passed the Straits. Of course, such a pest to these seas was not to be quietly suffercdsuffered [sic]; so several govcrnmentsgovernments [sic] began to think of preparing to put her down. To the surprise, however, of all, she seemed suddenly to disappear from the Mediterranean. Some said that her crew, having sold themselves to the father of all evil for a certain length of time, and the period having probably expired, the desperadoes were now gone to their own place, and the seas would consequently hebe [sic] clear again. Others dcemcddeemed [sic] that the Demon Ship had only retired for some deep purpose, and would shortly reappear with more fearful power.

Most of the trading vesselsvasscls [sic] then about to quit the port of Valetta, had obtained convoy from a British frigate and sloop of war, bound to Gibraltar, and thence to England. So eager were all passengers to sail under such protection, that I had some difficulty in ohtainingobtaining [sic] a berth in any of the holes and corners of the various fine fast-sailing copper-bottomed brigs, whose cards offered such excellent accommodations for passengers.' At length, I went on board the 'ElizahethElizabeth [sic] Downs,' a large three-masted British vessel, whose size made the surrounding hrigsbrigs [sic] dwindle into insignificance, and whose fresh-painted sides seemed to foreshew the cleanliness and comfort that would hebe [sic] found within. One little hen-pen of a cabin on deck alone remained at thcthe [sic] captain's disposal. However, I was fond of a cahincabin [sic] on deck, and paid half my passagepassagc [sic]-money to the civil little captain, who testified much regret that he could not offer me the 'freedom of the quarter-deck,' as the whole stern end of the vcsselvessel [sic] had been taken by an English lady of quality, who wishcdwished [sic] for privacy. He added that she was a dowager countess. 'I hatchate [sic] dowager countesses,' said I, irreverently; 'what is the name of your passenger?'—'Passenger!'—'WcllWell [sic]—countess—what is thcthe [sic] title of your countess?'—'The Countess of Falcondale.'—'What!' thought I; cannot I even come as near to my former home as Malta, without again finding myself under her influence? My dear fellow, give me hackback [sic] my passagepassage [sic]-money, or accept it as a present at my hands, for I sail not with you,' said I. But a man at thirty-six will hardly sacrifice his personal