The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-01-27

BOARD some oil tneSe outward Dounu lnuia-
men. The thing must be carefully DONE
however, for if John Bull only suspects our
inferior force, he will blow us out of water,
and laugh at US afteiwaids!''
Every rag of canvass was packed on lie
brig, and j, was evident that the captain oil
the Indisman did not like her appearance, for
he tackled ship and stood off TO the south
west. The Wanderer rapidly gained upon
the chase, and vast fast closing on the wealth
er quarter, when Capt. Wilcox fired gun to
the windward and hoisted American colors
The ship replied by showing the English en-
sigh, and taking in her courses and topgal-
liant 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 near The gang
way, with speaking trumpet in his hand
He was fine looking fellow, possessing a
dignifed exterior, and had a voice like the
famous Stenfor of cd.
First division, there" shouted he; 'see
all ready TO fire. and then directing his
trumpet towards the huge ship, with heavy
cannon protruding from her massy sides, he
had the cool impudeuce to add in loud and
imperative tone-"Ship ahoy haul down
your colors, and lay your main topsail to the
mast, or I'll give you whole broadside ~
Then turning TO his crew-"stand by my
boysl Take good aim" Then in his loud
est tone to the Experimentation down
your flag, | say. this minute, or I'll blow you
sky high!'
This threat produced the desired effect
The British ensign came fluiteiing upon the
deck, and the heavy maInyard of the East In
diamen was Reluctantly braced round, the
helm was put hard down, and the ship was
laid 10 with her main-topsail TO the mast.
having struck to the United States letter OF
marque Wanderer
Capt. Wilcox sent his first officer on board.
accompanied by his clerk, in officers uniform,
with orders to send on board the brig the
captain of the ship. with his papers, and as
many of the crew as the boat could convey.
The ship proved to be the AInwick Castle.
Captain Hender son, Of seven hundred and fiji
ty tons, from Bristol, bound to the Isle OF
France, with a cargo of stores, provisions,
&c, of no use 10 the crew ola privateer. The
ship mounted sixteen eighteen-pound carron-
AIDES, and was manned by crew of forty
men, all told. The guns were all double
shotted with round and grape-and one
broadside, well directed, would have made
NOih WIN w uNuCiSif NNNaSSe
the contest against her.
But Captain Henderson was accompanied
by his wife, young and beautiful woman, TO
whom he had been married but few short
months. And TO this circumstance must be
ascribed his reluctance 10 engage in des-
perate contest with vessel apparently well
fitted for fighting and evidently his superior.
With heavy heart he handed the officer his
papers, and assisted his wife into The boat.
and with the greater part of the crew, they
were soon on board the Wanderer. The
men were placed in irons for great err security,
aud temporarily slowed away beneath the
quakers,' in the waist.
Captain Wilcox soon ascertained by exam
lining the ships papers that he had captured
a prize of little value. He could not spare
men sufficient TO navigate her into an Ameri-
can port; her cargo consisted OF bulky artl-
Giles which could not be transferred to the
brig and he issued orders TO take out every
man. with all their baggage, and set the yes
sci on fire. Ii was then that Capt. Hender-
son ventured to demonstrate in gentleman
" manner against such summary DISPOSE
lion of property, in which he was directly in
terested, for he was part owner OF tue ship
and cargo. He suggested that by burning
the ship his own ruin would be effectuallN
sealed, without any benefit TO his capior
and that by restoring The ship aad cargo ID
the legitimate propretors, Capt. Wilcox
would perform a noble and magnanimous
act, which would meet the approval of al
good men, and which would be in accordance
with the dictates Of benevolence and justice
This was a view oflhe matter which was
altogether new TO the generous hearted Yam
kee. There was force in the reasoning OF
the Englishman, and his feeling responded to
the arguments set forth. He felt that il ,rdS
little better than piracy to set fire TO, and de-
strOy property belonging to private aud de-
serving individuals. when far away upon the
ocean. But it is uncertain what would have
been the result, had he not at that moment
caught the eye of the beautiful and accom-
plished. Mrs. Henderson. She was sad-but
charming in her saduess--and addressed the
captain in a musical voice. which sounded to
him, accustomed for months, to the grufi
mutterings Of the sailors. like the music OF
the spheres. He listened 10 her atteniively.
while in eloquent language she pleaded the
cause of her husband; and Capt. Wilcox,
who with all SAILORS gaIIantry, adored love-
" woman. was in his turn completely van
4uiShNus liz toiN bCi ~ SfC hSieCi ~
Their apprehension; the vessel and cargo
should be restored to her husband. Such
was the triumph of beauty pleading in behalf
ofhumanity and justice
In the mean time the English sailors, who
were slowed away among the wooden guns,
were INDUCING in sundry philosophical re-
marks.
Il say, Ben." growled rougb-ookin:
tar. with voice like a screech owl troubled
with the bronchitis, Just look at the crack in
this ere gun!''
Crack replied Ben. $50 there is
That gun was never cast in foundry. It is
made of a curious kind of metal and growed
in the woeds.''
"Aye," said another OF the crew, "and here
is one of the same kidney. Queer kind of
cannon these Yankees use.''
Cannon ~ chirred in the boatswain, sthe
cannon are all wooden ones. This craft has
not an effective gun on board-all wood, all
'quakers,' as sure as my names Timothy
Twilight. Oh, we have been shamefuly
humbugged by these rascally Yankees!-
Whew!" and the boatswain whistled Lilli-
bullero in a style that would have charmed
''my uncle Tobey," and astonished the corpo-