The captain of the Rattle-snake, whom we here call the hero of the marine, is at this instant in chace of a sail that he has espied.2 What his success will be, it is impossible to determine: but certain it is, he is the boldest fellow that has made his appearance in these seas forsometime.
The Rattle-snake carries only 14 guns, is an excellent sailer, and has taken a prodigious number of prizes, the chief of which she has sold at Martinico.
A short time since the captain, who is a native of Ireland, wrote word to captain Singleton of the Bridgetown, that if he did not take great care he would cut his ship out of harbour. Singleton, well acquainted with his disposition and courage, took, accordingly, every possible precaution against this enterprising Neptune.
Bets used to be often laid at Martinico, relative to the captures the above little vessel would bring into any of the respective harbours. People would be looking out for her; and on her appearance with a prize, the joyful alarm was, Le Serpent à Sonnettes! — The beach would then be crowded with spectators, and the Rattle-snake enter the harbour in triumph.
