The North-Carolina standard., 1843-04-19
NAVAL sTRATAGEMs.

NAVAL STRATAGEMS.
One of the prettiest tricks performed during the
last war, was by Commodore Rodgers. In the
early part of the war, when he was IN command
of the President, the English ships on the coast
knew that he was on cruise, and would soon
return and all the commanders were cautioned
to keep good lookout for the Yankee frlgate.
The President fell in with the land off Montauk
Point, and was standing towards Gay Head,
keeping an eye to windwards for the enemy S
cruisers, when strange sail was made in the of
fng, on the starboard bow He was soon made
out to be schooner, rakish looking one, too,
coming up under full sail. She soon hoisted
English colors and from her general appearance,
and the color of her canvas, confirmed the indi-
cation that she was member of the family OF
John Bull.
Commodore Rogers shortened sail, and also
hoisted English colors-and the commander OF
the schooner, who was evidently thick headed
fellow, took it for granted that the President was
one of the English frigates ON that station. But
in order to make sure that he was right, he hoist
ed set of signals which of course could not be
understood on board the Yankee. The Commo-
dore, however ordered red and white flag to be
run up quickly, and Immediately hauled down.
This had the desired effect. The flag was not
clearly distinguished, but the commander of the
schooner was convinced that his signal had been
duly answered, and not wishing to appear dull
on the occasion, hauled down his flag, and con-
tnued his course until he came under the leeWard
quarter of the frigate, within range OF her guns.
The President hove to with the British ensign
flying at her peak-the schooner was soon with
in hail--and the question was asked from the
President-''What schooner?'
ellis Majesty's schooner Highfyer,'' was the
respectful reply.
"Come on board, sir, with your papers, direct
ly."
''Aye, aye, sir.''
The boat was lowered forthwith, and manned,
and British Lieutenant stepped into it, and was
soon alongside the frigatc He assembled the
gangway with an air of much Importance, and
was politely received by an officer on deck, and
ushered into the cabin, where sat Commodore
Rodgers, ''as calm summers morning."
with a roguish lccr lurking about his counten-
ance.
The Lieutenant, with bow, handed the Com
modore some papers, containing his instructions.
"Umphr' grunted the Commodore, ''and so,
sir, see you are on the look out for the Ameri-
can frigate President, Commodore Rodgers
eyes, sir %
"Have you seen any thing of her?
"NO, Sir !''
"When did you leave the squadron ?"
YESTERDAY morning, sir"
"IIave you had so particular description of
the President, as to enable you to recognize her
if you should chance to fall in with her?'' con-
tinued the Commodore.
''Certainly, sir l shall be able to know her
immediately!''
''Well, STRIP said Commodore Rogers, with
a smile looking the British officer full in the eye
Il will keep you no longer in suspense, and will
take this opportunity to inform you, that you are
on board the United States ship PRESIDENT and
that the person whom you address is Commo-
dore Rodgers
The astonishment Of the poor Lieutenant may
be imagined. He had been most egregiously
duped, and could never hold up his head again.
The labors of his life were destroyed in moment
While this little scene had been enacting in
the cabin the crew were piped to dinner, and the
officer of the deck ordered one of the boat-swains
mates to ask the boats crew to come OH board
and get something to eat.
This functionary accordingly looked over the
side and addressed the boats crew, said-'I say,
shipmates, step aboard, will you, and get some
thing to eat!
'Shipnates, is it? Ha replied a suspicious,
dry looking chap, acting as coxswain, who was
in the act of thrusting enormous quid of to-
bacco between his jaws. Pretty shipmates you
arer
The men went on deck and took a LOOK at
the sails and around them. Il say, Ned eXclaim-
ed the coxswain, Just twig that SPLIT CANVASS
J1B! Brother Jonathan has fairly got to WIN
ward of us this time =
The next morning, the frigate President and
schooner Highfyer were snugly at anchor in +
The harbor of Newport.
A SMOKING ANECDOTE.
AT Frankford, lately, curious circumstance
occurred, illustrative of the characters of the sur
" English and the dull German In coffee