The Merchantman and the Pirate

Ships at anchor reared their tall masts, here and there; and the broad stream was enlivened and colored by junks and boats of all sizes and vivid hues, propelled on the screw principle by a great scull at the stern, with projecting handles for the crew to work; and at times a gorgeous mandarin boat, with two great glaring eyes set in the bows, came flying, rowed with forty paddles by an armed crew, whose shields hung on the gunwale and flashed fire in the sunbeams.

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Interesting story

This short story is interesting especially if you are a fan of Melville’s writing. Unfortunately, the narrator makes the story very uninteresting as he speaks in a loud whisper.