Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-10-16
CHAPT Err II.

the Tender Of the British frigate was
standing off and on under easy sail, and
close in with Sandy Hook, The wind
was from the southwest and blowing a.
bout five not breeze. The sky was
without a cloud, and only gentle undu-
lalion lifted the surface of the ocean,
The tender was clipper built vessel,
very long and narrow in the beam, and
constructed wholly with an eye to her fast
sailing qualities; and she gave proof oc
them by overhauling every thing, She
carried amd-ships long thirtY-two poun-
der Her crew consisted Of about forty
men in the uniform of the British Navy.
They we're now principally assembled in
the bows and on the windlass, talking to-
gether or watching the shore. aft, the
officer OF the deck, a bluff, full faced young
English mildly was Ioungng over the
quarter railing, smoking a segar, The
man at the helm had sinecure Of his
post, for the vessel skipped along so east
ly that she seemed almost to steer her
self
Sail no! cried tho lookout, from the
heel ofthe bowsprit,
where away" quickly demanded the
officer. In shore, two points forward the
BEAM
Aye, aye! see" answered the MILDLY,
dwelling his glass at the sloop just steal
ing out of the harbor, closely hugging the
shore. It's another ofthe Yankee coasters.
a sail in shore, Mr. StanIeyr said he,
speaking through the sky-Iight,
The lieutenant, a stout heshy, port
wine visaged John Bull, came on deck
and took sight at the stranger, which was
about league distant
1t is lumber sloop; but we will bring
her to, if she dares to venture out; for
we NAV get some fresh provisions and
vegetables from her, il nothing more,
Shall put her on the other tack, sir Z;
Not yet Keep on as we are. till Tie
sloop gets an olling. If we run for her
now, she will take refuge in the harbor,
The sloop stood out for a half mile,
and then hauling her wind, beat down a.
long the land The tender delayed the
chase until she had got to far from the
from the entrance of the harbour to get
back again, and then putting about, run
for her so rs to cut her off The sloop
seemed to take alarm, and putting about,
began to make the bcs; of her way tow
ards the harbor she had left Confident
in the speed of his own vessel, the English
lieutenant felt satisfied that the chase was
already his, and laughed at the efforts of
the sloop to get away.
AT length they came near enough to
see that her decks were covered with PIGS
and poultry,
"A rare haul we shall make this morn
ingr said the mildly Enough chicken
pie for the whole frigate's crew, to say
nothing of the turkles and roast pig for
the cabin
what a regular slab-sided Yankee
skipper she h1s at her helm! Man and
boy, she has stout crew. said the lieu
tenant, laughing They looked frighten,
ed out Of their senses, as they began TO
think they are gone for t!-Soop ahoy!
What We wanl' come across the wa
ter, in the strongest nasal of Yankeedom.
Il want you to heave to, brother Jona-
than'
I'D rayther not, if it is all the same to
you I'm in a nifty hurry' Frank! ad.
Ged the disguised American officer, in an
under tone, when order you to let 60 the
lib, YOU must draw it aft as hard as your
strength will let YOU, | al the same time
will put the helm hard mp so the sloop
will play rapidly OFF, and fall aboard Of
her. shall curse your blundcrs, aud
order you 10 let go; but don't mind me-;
keep pulling the jib.sheet hard to the
windward. Leave the rest to me, Now,
my men, he said, speaking through the
companon-way take good grasp of your
pistols and cutlasses. When stamp my
foot on the deck over your heads, throw
off the matches, leap OF deck and follow
me-
iIoave to, or will sink you! What
are you paIavcring about shouted the
Englishman!
The two vessels ere nov side by side,
steering on the same course, abeam OF
each other, the tender to leeward and a.
bout hundred falhoms of.
wall, don't be too free with your pow
der, aud will. Aminidab, let GO that
ar lib sheet