Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-13
MIDSHIPMAN EASY.

More precious than peri's tear.
-
s MIDSHIPMAN EASY. ...
Arrival on the coast Of Corsicd--strange
vessel-desperate encounter--Russian
prize--thc Trident lost tDo hundred
men-the aurora about sicty.
in week the Aurora had gained the
coast of Corsica, and there was no need
Of sending lookout men to the mast
head, for one of the officers or midship-
men was there from daylight to dark
She ran up the coast to the northward
without seeing the object of her pursuit,
or obtaining any intelligence.
Gains and light airs detained them for
few days, when northerly breeze en-
abIed them to run down the eastern side
of the island. 1t was on the eighteenth
day after they had quilted Malta. that a
large vessel was seen ahead, about Is
miles off. The men were then at break
fast.
"A frigate captain Wilson-Tm sure
ofit,' said Mr.. Haswell to the captain,
whose anxiety induced him to go to the
masthead.
How is she steering?
THE same way we are -..
The Aurora was put under all possible
sail, and when the hands were piped to
dinner 1t was thought that they had near
ed the chase about two miles.
This will be long chase-a stern
chase always is,' observed Martin to
Gascoigne.
'Yes, I'm afraid so; but I'm more
afraid of her escaping
That's not unlikely ether replied
the mate.
E. you are one of Jobs comforters,
Martin, replied Gascoigne.
Then I'm not SO often disappointed
replied the mate. 'There are two point
TO be ascertained; the first is, whether
she is the vessel we are looking for
'You seem very Indifferent about it,
'lndeed | am not. / am oldest pas.
sed midshipman in the ship, and the ta-
king of the frigate will, if live be my
promotion, and if Pm killed l shan't want
it. But Eve been so often disappoint-
ed, that now make sure of not hing I'M
til have it,
n well, for your sake, Martin, I will
still hope that the vessel is the one we
seek, that we shall not be killed, and
that you will gain your promotion
. Il thank you, Easy. | wish | was
one that dare hope as you do
Poor Martin he had long felt how
bitter 1t was 10 meet disappointment up
on disappointment. How true it is that
hope deferred maketh the heart sick =
And his anticipation Of early days. the
buoyant calculations of youth, had been
one by one crushed, and now, having
served his time nearly three times over,
the reaction had become too painful, and,
as he truly said. he dared not hope still,
his temper was not soured, but chasten-
ed.
sShe has hauled her wind, sir" hailed
the second lieutenant from the top mast
cross-trees." r,-.s.,..,vs,
ar' What think you of that, Martin z OBJ
served Jack. --,a 4s.7f .f0ag...
Ether that she is an English frigate,
or that she is vessel commanded by a
very brave fellow, and well manned
b Ii was sunset before the Aurora had
arrived within two miles of the vessel.
The private signal had been thrown out
but it had not been answered, either be-
cause it was too dark to make out the
colors Of the flags, or that these were
unknown to an enemy. The stranger
had hoisted the English colours but that
was no satisfactory proof Of her being a I
friend, and just before dark she had sput
her head towards the Aurora, who had
notcome down stem down to her. The
ships company of the Aurora were all
at their quarters, as afew minutes would
now decide whether they had to deal
with friend or foe. isias
) There is no situation, perhaps, more 4
difficult, and demanding SO much caution
as the occasional meeting with a doubt {
full ship. On the one hand, it being me- |
cessary to be fully prepared, and not \
allow the enemy the advantage whichlf