Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-10-25

CHAPTER L.
II was early on Sunday morning during the
progress of the last war with Great Britain, that
young naval officer walking on the Battery at
New York, had his attention drawn to group
of persons earnestly engaged in watching two
vessels just visible far down the barbor.
what is it, my friends! he asked, in frank,
hearty tone, as he joined them.
The tender. again chasing in schooner, sir
answered an old tar, touching the point Of his
bat as he noticed the anchor button on the off.
GERS coat.
Here is spy glass, sir said masters mate,
who stood near, and at the same time respect.
fully handing it to him.
Thank you, my man, answered the lieuten-
ant, with smile, as he took the instrument and
placed IT to his eye.
BY its aid he could clearly distinguish an
armed schooner, Of about ninety tons, crowding
sail in nchase Of trading "fore-and.after' that
was making every exertion to escape both by
towing and throwing water upon the sails.
The chase is about half mile ahead, cir, :
said the masters mate; but the tender sails like
a shark in chase of dolphin. The fore and after
don't stand chance of getting in past the
fort
THE tender can sail, and am the one that
ought to know it, said stout weather beaten
looking man. She was pilot boat, ant the
fastest craft that ever danced over the waves.
Three weeks ago, and my crew were out in
her, when yon English frigate suddenly made
her appearance out ofa fog bank and brought
us to. But took to my yawl, and pulled for
the land a league away, and escaped for the
fog was 20 thick the Englshmen could not get
glimpse Of Inc. 1t is my schooner they have
turned into tender sir, and that's made so ma
ny captures the last three weeks Of our small
cossters'
She carries forty men, and long thirty-two,
SO hear observed a seaman in the group.
And is commanded by huff and REFER
added the masters mate
1T would be a blessing Observed man.o!.
wars-man, who had not yet spoken, ,-s that craft
could be caught mapping. 1t amt safe for a
sluop to put her nose out of the harbor, beyond
the cape; but while the frigate was there alone,
they could slip along the coast in ligh. water,
and show her their heels: But now, every
thing that ventures out is brought to by that
long gun of the tenders
That's fact, Ben,' responded another sea-
man. .She has taken or driven back into port
no less than twenty.six craft ia the last three
weeks. | shall be glad for one, when our fri.
gate lying off there gets her armament aboard,
for then think we'll swallow the English fri
gate outside, and pick cur teeth with the ten.
der.
All these remarks were heard by the young
officer, who all tie while continued to look
through the spy-glass at the tender and her
chase.
There goes gun? cried several Of the spec.
tators, as fash and jet Of azure smoke came
from the tenders bows.
That is bold enough observed the young
officer, es if speaking his thoughts aloud; the
impudent tender is almost up with the fort, and
dares to fire at the chase in the very face ef the
batteries
1T is only to try and to do her mischief sir,
said the masters mate ; for she finds the fore.
snd.after will escape her--so she fires gun tc
cut away something
'You are right, my man. responded the off
Ger, 'for she has pat about and stands seawsrd
sgaln.
He continued to watch the retiring tender
for some moments in silence
Its a pity we had'nt an armed cutter in por
that would SAID faster than she can, SO that we
might give her a chase OUT said lad, ap
preaching the group. His dress was that O
a midshipman, and his air singularly free ant
fearless,
'Ah, Frank, are you there y said the lieute
nant. when did you get back from your ia
ther's'
Last night. I was in hopes to find the sh'
ready for sea, Mr.. Percival; but am told
will be three weeks before we can get away
want to have push with John Bulls frgate
who hovers off and on the harbor with sue
bravadoing. When did you get in town, sir. ,
Yesterday morning, Have you been wit
Messing the pretty chase down the bay Frank
'fes. would give years pay if ! coul
have hand in capturing thst rogue
Come aside with me- said the officer, pu
ting his arm in that of the midshipman. You
words but express my own wishes. I hav
conceived pan for capturing that tender
In what way" demanded the youth wit
l