Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-07-20
AN ADVENTURE AT SEA.

The mate had been looking out with
Spygass, and observed a sail to the wind
ward.
Jump aIoft, one Of you who has good
eyes, and tell me what you make out of
that craft with the suspicious rake in her
masts, on our weather bow.
Ay, ay, sirH they again sung out, in
full chorus; and away several scampered
up the shrouds, pelImeII. Among the rest
was perceived the slight figure Of the lad,
who ascen1cd with remarkable agility, and
lcfttho others far behind. The mate could
scarcely credit what he saw, and gazcd
alott in Amusement.
Maintopgalant, thcre!' hailed the mate.
'Ay, ay, sir replied Isaac, in as grutf
a voice as he couIdmuSterior the occasion.
What sort Of craft is that to wind
ward-and how is she standng.'
1t IS small black schooner, Mi legs
and arms replied Mr.. Montopgallant;
and she is bearing down for US under a
press Of sail Now she runs up a flag,
which you can make out from the deck
with the glass; and, by the flash and smoke
she makes, she has Just fired gun!'
Presently, a dull, heavy report came
booming on the breeze, and a laundering
sound echoed against the side Of the ship
The glass bent upon the approaching
schooner, whose hull had not risen entirely
out OF the water. Her flag was found to
be French
'Steward-caII tho captainn cried the
mate in alarm: Forward. there!-caIl all
hands on deck-stand by to put the ship
about
'Ay, ay, sir. echoed along the deck, and
every sailor stood ready at his post for
prompt action.
Seth and Jethro now appeared on deck,
wondering not little at the uncommon
stir on board, and surprised to find every
man ready, whenever the word should be
given, to put the ship on Il new direction.
What does all this mean, mate 2 de-
mnnded the captain why woudst thou
change tho course of the shipF
L did not intend to do so without your
conconcurrcncc,' replied the mate; but
thought it best to have everything ready
for prompt mannuyrjng. We have a sus-
pcious- looking sail on our weather bow,
and she shows French colors. BY the rake
of her masts, should not be surprised to
find her clipper, with long-tom amid
ships; for She has given us gun already.
Rather n dangerous ncighbor for US,
surely said the captain, especially II she
should prove one Of those piratical rascaIs
that sometimes cut NJ sur commerce.
Keep her away, and see if she follows us
continued he lowering the point Of his glass.
Away went the Grampus with free
wind. saorting. as il were ike a race horse,
and plunging hlndsomcly through the seas
on her altered way.
The Frenchman St"crcd for, and gained
gradually and steadily upon the Grampus;
and the event was most anXiousv looked
for bv all on board. The ship. deeply la
den rs she was with oil, was OF great val
We, aud, as Seth thought, emnently worth
preserving. But the Freedmen were de-
tcrmned she should change owners-lor
they managed their i,tie craft with great
skill, and altered their course IN chase,
whenever the Macy changed his. The
breeze was brisk, and suited the schooner
TO a crack; while the laden ship, the fleet
est Of her class, could not show her heels
h advantage, without stronger wind
Macy tried his vessel upon every track
but escape was impossbIe-thc wedge like
schooner gained upon him at every turn.
Now would give the halt Of our car
co. said Macy, for few guns to speak
to that saucy little scamp in his own IAN
guagc' And then turning to Jethro' he
said, rather bitterly, Dost thou remy mber,
friend Coffin. what told thee about the SIN
FOUNDERS, before We left the port! | fear
thou wilt pay dearly enough for not taking
my advice. There comes salute number
tiroP
\ gun at that moment was fred from the
Crcnchman, across the bow OF the Gram
pus; bat the shot won't wide, and was most
probably intended merely as a warning to
hcave to. Seth paced the deck in great
agony Of spirit, muttcrjng,as he went, words