Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-21

which she was aiming at. Finding l,
in vain to attempt reaching Bermuda
with a head wind, and being out of pa.
thence with the length and fatigue OF
the voyage, he was on the point OF
bearing away for the West Indies when
one morning he discovered, close haul
ed to the wind, a vessel at his stern.
which looked rather rakish, or, in com.
mon parlance, like an armed vessel-to
attempt escaping ifhe wished it, was in
vain. 1t was notifying to observe the
comparative speed ofthe stranger, as in
naval pride she doomed lightly over
the waves, tossing off the spray from
her dark sides, as the war horse filings
the foam from the bit-a few moments
exhibited the ports of ship of some
force, and soon the bugle of the ma
rines was heard above the roar of the
waters; the glancing of sabres and
muskets was flashed from the deck,
and without hesitation the stranger
ranged alongside, and the boarding
officer ascertained the character of the
vessel, and her disabilities for the voy-
age she had undertaken. The notions
and commodities of the vessel, consist
ing Of provisions, etc. attracted the eye
Of the officer, and as the countries were
then at war, he proceeded to help himself
to squash, knocking open the butter
kegs and beef barrels, as though ne
felt himself perfectly home. The cap
tain of the yacht, with the assistance
of beard of three weeks growth, had
something almost ferocious in his
appearance, yet his ferocity was wholly
exterior, and he was in fact lover OF
fun. AS he presented himself OH deck,
and discovered the proceedings Of the
officer, he addressed him in harsh
tone, inquiring what he was about; the
officer informed him that his vessel was
lawful prize to his majesty's packet,
then bound to Bermuda, & he was now
reaPipg the benefit of his capture. The
Yankee, however. forbade him from
llieddlmg with his property, and deli.
berately drew forth his pencil, enume-
rating the articles taken out with scru.
pulous nicety-Still the officer pro-
ceeded in his duty, and having obtained
a proper amount Of the delicacies, left
a crew on board his prize, and haw-
scr was made fast to the yacht, and she
taken in tow by the captors. In three
days they tugged her into the port OF
Bermuda, where a fleet Of British men
Of war were then lying, and she was an
chored some distance below them, and
the packet proceeded to town.
The difficulty which presented itself
to the captain of the packet, was SIM
ply this: lie had no commission to
capture, but only letter of marque
yet the temptation of the Yankee car
go was SO great that it could not be re-
sisted and the yacht was left below
the town for the purpose of having no
interloping frigate to share profits.
while the packet went up to obtain the
proper documents for capture, having
procured which, they proceeded to
take possession under their new COM
mission. The secretary Of the Gov
ernor accompanied the captain of the
Packet, and stepped on board the
yacht, Gas one having authority" The
Yankee marched up to him "Savage as
meat are," and asked his name and
capacity; the reply was, 81 am secre-
tary to the governor of Bermuda"
"You are %
81 am; and declare your vessel to
be good prize" SWELL" replied the
American captain, "You are the very
man l wished to see-have you a
knife :" At this the dandy gentleman
made retrograde motion, to get Out
of the way of one whom he though,
insane, but on assurance that he should
not be harmed, lie, at arms length, pre-
sented him a penknife, with which the
Yankee ripped open the top of his boot
and drew from thence British license
Never was there seen countenance:
more chop-fallen, than those Of the
prize-master * Co. The paper was
strictly examined, and found 10 be au
thentic: the appearance Of affairs wa'
wonderfully changed: "And now saio
the Yankee with sheer, "Mr. Secreta
ry to the Governor of Bermuda, ,Oitl
your permission, / ,0W dress and wait on
your Master i, :" The prize-master ga
thered himself up and departed, sensi
BILE of the "slips between cup and lip,
in liie's journey; the secretary politel!
accompanied the captain to the 10
vernor's residence; the cargo was solt
at an enormous profit, as provisions
were in great demand the captain o
the British packet sent him an equlva
lent for the goods taken out, at Bermu
da prices, and from being captured
vessel, and the crew prisoners, she wa
changed TO welcome vislter witt
friendly FREIGHT. but the money pal(