Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1845-10-30

his cargo Of teas and silks, and by way of
recreation, caused dozen 'quakers,' or
wooden guns, to be manufactured OH
board, and regularly. mounted on car
riages or slides. He was thus enabled
on gala days TO show wha, appeared TO be
a formidable set Of teeth although the
greater part of Them were false ones!
One day Commodore Treenail. in a
conversation with Captain Wilcox, ex
pressed desire to 60 on board the
Wanderer. The Yankee was aware that
the Commodore merely wished to satisfy
himself Of the efficiency of his vessel, and
to form an opinion Of the result, of any
contest that might take place between the
American brig and one of the English
gun briggs then in those seas. Neverthe-
less. without indicating by his manner
any reluctance, Wilcox cordially invited
the British 10 honor the Wanderer with
his presence the next afternoon.
Capt, Wilcox went Immediately on
board the brig, had his 'quakers' pu,
in good trim--and sooth to say, they
made an imposing appearance in their
warllke garb, and provided with temp
kins, aprons, breschings, guntackles, and
o,he, ,rimmings--cannon sho. were ar
ranged couspicuously in racks about the
bulwarks--and sabres, pistols and board.
ing pixies in great profuson, were exhibi-
ted IN gallant array. Wilcox, who was
seldom al loss for expedienls, mex, con-
sidered how he should make up for the
occasion he deficiency in his crew, and
finally applied to the captains Of the few
American vessels in port, for The loan of
their crews for a day! This favor was
readily granted. The Wanderer was
soon manned by some eighty or ninety
as fine fellows as ever kno,ted reef point
or pnddened an anchor-(we had no
chain cables in those days - and when
Commodore Treenall came on board in
his barge. agreeably to appointment, and
passed up The accommodation ladder,
and over the gangway. and saw such
crew, all neatly dressed. at quarters, he
promptly decided in his own mind that
the Wanderer was calculated 10 do yrea,
deal of mischief, and would make shor,
work with any thing of less force than a
sloop of war. He determined TO lake his
measures accordingly.
The result equalled the expectations Of
Capt. Wilcox, who stood in as much
fear OF a small gun brig as of figate,
bu. who was determined to avoid a con.
tact with either. and rus, TO the nimble
ness OF his heels, if he could once get fair
| ly out to sea An opportunity al length
! A
the night. The wind blew in fierce and
| htful gusts, and the rain fell in great
abundance, and increasel the obscurily of
the atmospheric. Wilcox ordered the ca
| BILE to be cut. and under reefed foreiop-
sail and jlb, shot like struck dolphin out
Of the harbor of Whampoa.
The Wanderer had fine run to the
Cape Of Good Hope, and met with nothing
TO furnish cause for alarm. One day
when few degrees to the westw ard of
the Cape, as day broke in the east, a
large ship was seen steering to the east
ward under press of sail. Capt. Will
cox altered the course Of The brig, and
steered directly for the ship, which he
soon made on, to be a heavy East India
man, doubtless well armed, and manned
with numero..r and effective crew,
All hands wsfe piped to quarters.
Come my lads said the Captain, ..sup.
pose we try the meule of that felow!-
We have taken nothing yet, and there is
good picking on board some of these out.
ward bound Indiamen. The thing mus,
oe carefully done. however, for if John
Bull only suspects our inferior force, he
| will blow us out of the water, and laugh
| at us aflerwards!'
Everyrag of canvass was packed on the
brig, and it was evident that the captain
of the 1ndiaman did not like he appear.
ance for he2tacked ship and stood of 10
the southwest. The Wanderer rapidly
gained upon the chase, and was fast clos.
ing on the weather quarter. when Capt.
Wilcox fired a gun 10 windward and
hois'ed American colors! The ship re.
piled by showing the English ensign, and
taking in her courses and ,opgalant sails
and was evidently preparing for a
brush. Not a shot, however. was fired
until the Wanderer was within hail, when
Capt. Wilcox sprang upon gun neal
the gansway. with speaking trumpe, in
his hand. He was fine looking fell
low, possessing dignitied exterior, ant
| had voice like the famous Sten,or o.
old. AaasN
First division. there shouted he; see
all ready to fire!' and then directing hi.
trumpet towards the huge ship. with hea
F. Wy cannon pro,ruding from her mass
sides. Ire had the cool impudence to ado
in loud and imperative tone--.ShiE
ahoy! haul down your colors, and la,
4 your main topsail 10 the mast, or I'll Civ,
you a whole broadslde!' Then turning
to his crew-'Stsud by, my" boys!--
Take good am!' Then IN his loudes
4 tone to the Emglishrnan-.Ilaul dowI
'lyour flag. say, this minute, Or III blow
You sky high! '''faf.s ~
# This threat produced ihe desired ef
feet. The British ensign came nuuer
ing upon the deck. and The heavy mail
yard Of the Eas, Indiaman was re1uctan,
lily braced round, the helm was pu, har,
down, and the ship was laid IL witi
her niain-,opssil 10 the mast, havin.
struck to The United States letter o
/ 41.8aAKg 4#Eft h