Then the wind dropping, the ship settled once
more upon the sea, and they sailed on the water.
One morning the wind began to blow vehemently,
and they were driven by storm for days.
On the third day they fell in with the Pumpkin
Pirates. These were savages who were wont to
sally forth from the islands that lay in the seas
thereabouts, and plunder them that sailed by.
For ships they had large pumpkins, each being
not less than ninety feet in length. These pumpkins
they dried, and afterward dug out all the
inner part of them till they were quite hollow.
For masts they had reeds, and for sails, in the
place of canvas, pumpkin leaves.
These savages attacked Lucian's vessel with
two ships' or rather two pumpkins' crews, and
wounded many of his company. For stones they
used the pumpkin-seeds, which were about the
bigness of a large apple.
Lucian's company fought for some time,
without gaining the advantage, when about noon they
saw coming toward them, in the rear of the Pumpkin
Pirates, the Nut-Shell Sailors. These two
tribes were at war with each other.
As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates saw the others
approaching, they left off fighting Lucian's crew,
and prepared to give battle to the Nut-Shell Sailors.
When Lucian saw this he ordered the captain
to set all sails; and they departed with speed.
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