Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-01

future course. This suspense was but mo-
mentary a thought dawned upon MS mind
and applying the trumpet to his mouth nc
gave the order to the impatient scamen no.
to fire, but to be ready for making more sail
Leave your quarters, men, said he "pu
your helm up, Bobstay-man the foretact
and sheets-lay aloit, topmen, and clear the
wreck. Stir yourselves, my lvelies !--stant
by to set both fore-topmast studdlng sails.
This sudden and unlocked for change II
the state of affairs surprised, but did not dis
concert the crew, so great was the confidence
they rcposed in INN and they sprang for
ward to execute his orders with an alacrlty
that was itself, under such circumstances, 9
proud eulogium upon the bravery and Jndg'
ment Of their commander. The brig was
again put before the wind, more canvass was
spread along the booms, and the Rover once
more resumed the course she had steered
during the morning. A wild and cxultlne
huzza came down from the Engishman, as
her antagonist filled away and made sail with
out firing gun but the scornful smile that
curled the lips Of Buntline indicated too well
the deception of appearances, and immedi-
ately impaired stronger confidence in the
breasts of his scamcn. His character for
bravery was to well established to be doubt
ed by them, and they only stood impatient
to hear the next order that should issue from
his trumpet.
'The dogs shall have less cause for mer-
riment before nighlfal," mutlered Bun,line,
as another shout came down from the Eng
lIslman, who had also filled away, and was
| M crnuIin,, all coil in rI,.,en M,.tor fl
here, my men tumble aft here, every one
Of you come down from aloit, and up from
below blossoms mate, send the people aft.
My lads said Buntlinc, addressing his
hundred hold followers, 'it is fit that You
should be acquainted with the fact of my be-
ing the bearer of a message from the French
admiral of the West India station, to tine gov
eminent of the United States, which, my
men, is of vital importance to the interest, of
our country. do not tell you this, to sIim-
Mate You to any greater cXerlion, but mere
Y as IA rcciprocaiion of tina, confidence which
| am proud to believe you rcpose in me. |
know you will stand by me TO the last-I
have tested it. In the present disabled state
of the Rover, IL will be impossible TO escape
from yon;er squadron, now rapidly over
hauling us but, my lads, have plan to
propose, the successful execution Of which
will crown us with glory and success. Lis
ten to it,
The plan was then revealed and when
Bunllnc had done speaking, three hearty
cheers evinccd TIE readiness with which the
crew entered into il.
Men, resumed Bunlinc, the signal will
he Liberty and when give it FORTH let
every one of YOU do as have directed now
my lads, don't forget the word, Liberty"
Groups Of men were now seen spiking the
cannon, fore and aft, SO as to render them
perfectly useless. The muskcis were all
thrown overheard, and the powder, with the
exception of villa, each man carried about
witt, him, totally destroyed this done, the
crew armed themselves, and mastering aft,
awaited the farther orders of their command
Ier.
| In the meantime, the Engishman was rap
idly advancing, with the intention of carry
| ing the American bv buu,Li"g. liz 40.
ten wards aslcrn, and at every moment gain
inc on the Rover. Buntline stood watching
him as the tiger does his prey, scarcely
breathing, in the intensity Of his interest, and
awaiting yith painful suspense the moment
when he might pat his daring scheme nto
operation. The whistle of the bo'son's mate
was heard on board Of the Englishman, and
the cry of Away there, bosrders, away !
told their opponents how to expect them. -
Bun,Iine cast quick and anxious glance up
on his own seamen, who stood graspng their
cu.asses with an emotion as intense as his
own. 1t was moment of fearful excite
ment on board of either vessel, during which
nothing was heard but the ripple OF the wat
err as they sped along. AT length the dark
shadow of the Briton's canvass f, Il upon the
deck of the Rover: another minute, and
they were yard-arm and yard-arm.
Sheer to = whispered Buntline to the man
at the whee-'shcer to y The bows OF
the privateer slightly devated, and her an
raeonist was within three yards of her. Clank
wen, the grappcls of the Englishman, and
both vessels were brought broadside and
broadsidc.
Board = shouted the British captain and
two thirds of his crew sprang over the bull
warks and upon the decks the Rover, with