The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-10-17

while her crew delighted a, the prospect oil
something professional, we're Specializing as
to the value Of the chase aud the conse
quent amount Of prizo.money.
| 10 half an hour, Benson hailed the look
out; " mast head, there what do you make
her out 10 be ~
"A large ship, sir" replied The look ont
6 her statboard-tacks boarded, standing
south west
Keep her more TO the southland, Mr..
+ Townsend, said Captain Benson, on receipt
Of this Information, 'we'll cut her off,
She's Stout lump of ship, sir" re
piled the mate as he obeyed the order, she
may be a mau-of war
Very good, we have the weaihergase,
answered Benson, as he went forward TO
take another look.
In an hours time the stranger was plain.
~ 10 be seen. She vas evidently large
ship and from her build aud appearance
looked much like man.of-war. This
seemed more fully apparent short time af.
! ter; for the chase, which had III now ap
peared unconscious Of the presence Of the
prlvateer, suddenly hauled her wind and
made all sail towards her, whllo the rapid
+ ~ With winch her course was changed, and
her canvass crowded, seemed proof posi-
tive that she was a nan of-war.
! This mnnnovfe produced some surprise
on board the Sparkler.
A Scotch prize, Captain Benson, oh
served the first mate as he handed hlm the
glass.
Perhaps So replied Benson composed.
ly, clear away long Tom there, and dou.
bic shot both batteries, we viii soon see
what she is
Il was now abou, noon, and the vessels
being on opposite courses, had approached
within five miles Of each other, and this
distance was rapidly diminishing.
The chase IS now within range, sir,
reported Townsend.
Very good, sir. Let drive a, him with
long Tom and send up the grid.ron al the
FORE replied Benson.
Tho Gag OF the United States waved in
the breeze, and the forty two spoke in thun-
der the moment the order was given.
This was q touch OF his quality, which
the chase had no: expected at The hands Of
the priyateer, and the smoke clearing up
showing her bearing of before the wind,
crowdlng oil sail.
So much for your n.ln.of. var, Mr.
Townsend, said Benson, pointing o., this
change OF course she is pulling her heel,
and goes off before the wind because that
is the worst poin, 10 schooner's sailing.
Run ont tho batteries, load long Tom, and
open the magazine We will try this tel.
low little any how
Meanwhile on board the Z glish West
lndlaman. Tor such was the stranger all
was confusion and dismay. Her conman.
der had from the frs, suspected the schoon-
or was an American priyaeer, but had
adopted HE bold course Of standing towards
Der 10 chase, to give the impression that
he was a man-nl var, well knowing thatil
VAS IN vain to hope TO escape by SUPERIOR
sailing gorn Baltimore clipper. The re-
port Of the SpatkIer's long forty two, how
ever. and the sight Of the shot, which
struck the water llst ahead OF hun, had
dlspeled oil his hope Of frightening her
aud now, as last resource, he put his
helm up, aud bore away 10 the southeast,
hoping TO leave his pursuor os,etn until
some other ship might heave IN sight 10
save him.
This vas cer,a;uly his wisest course,
aud his vessel being fast salcr, aud uu
der press Of canvass, made rapid head
why. She was the largest class of En- 5lsh
West lndamen, about twelve hundred tons
in burden, and was now from Plymouth
bound to Kingston, Jamaica, with very
valuable cargo, aud number Of passen
gers; aud TO deleud the whole carried six
teen Twelve pounLeTs and crew Of forty
men.
Clear away those guns, my lads and
open the magazine, said the commander Of
the lndiamau, who, though ho wished TO
escape had u sto zach for dry knocks |
wish we had forty.two FOUNDER, for then
we'd fight the Yankees on better terms
Il hope, Captain ST, john said pas
senger, who at this momen, came up to
the companion. Il hope, sir, you do
not intend to fight the American
Certainly do, Mr.. Tompkius, replied
ST. John, he shall not take all our cargo,
and the ship into the bargain, without
lighting for il promise you. Why, our
cargo alone is worth fifty thousand pounds
sterling Jonathan shall not make his for.
tune this time if can prevent hlm.
But SIR continued Tompklns, anxious.
ly, consider the lady passengers. beg
you, sir, 10 surrender to the American,
and perhaps he will treat US well, while, II
you fight hun he will be enraged, and--
Kill all our males, and carry our women
and children into captivity beyond Babylon
as the scripture has it, interrupted ST.
John, hastily Consider the devil All
the Indies have to do, is to stay below and
be quiet; and you doubtless will fight TO
the last in defence of your wife aud daugh.