Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1846-06-29
THE FRIGATE'S TENDER
or, THE NAUTICAL RuSE.

t..
Ii WAS early on d sunny morning during the
progress of the last war with Great Britain,
tSat young naval officer, standing on the
battery ai New York, had his attention drawn
lo group oil persons earnestly Engaged in
watching two vessels just visible far down the
hsrhor.
VIVA Is it, my friends lac asked in frank.
hearty tone. as he joined them.
The tender, again, chasing in schooner.
s'r, answered an old tar, touching the point of
has hat as Ice noticed the anchor button on the
Officers coat.
Here l. spy glass, sir, said masters mate
who stod near, al the same time respectfully
handing il To him.
Thank you, my man. answered the iieutcn-
ant with smile as he took the instrument
and placed il to his eve
! By It's aid lac could clearly distinguish au
armed schooner, OF about ninety tons, crowd
ing sail in chasc OF trading iore-and after
that Was making every eXertion 20 escape,
both 10y towing and throwing water upon the
sails.
The chase is about half mile ahead, sir,
said Ties masters mate; bat the tender sails
\ like shark in chase ol dolphin The fore
Il and-aiter don't stand chance of getting in
y past the font.
4 Til. tender can sail. and am the one that
ought To know IL, sida stout. weather beaten
looking man. She was pilot boat. and the
fastest craft that ever danced over the waves.
Three weeks ago | and my crew were out in
her, when yOn English irigatc suddenly made
her appearance out OF fog bunk and brought
MS to. But | took to my yawl, and pulled Tor
the land league away, and escaped for The
log was 20 thick the Englshmau could not
get glimpse oi me. 1t is nay schooner they've
! turned into Il tender, sir. and that : made So
many captures the last three weeks, OF our
small coasters.
She carries forty men. and long lhiny two
80 hear observed a seamrn in the group.
And Is commanded by a lun and rccIer, al
] died lhc masters mate.
/ ii would be blessing. observed a man-si-
war $ man. who had not yet spoken, II uIai
craft could be caught mapping. II eat safe |
Tor sloop 10 put her nose out of T. harDor,
beyond The cape; but while the :, .,lSate was
there alone, they could skipH,ns 'he coast IN
light water and show hb,nr,s 49, nc, ncciS' But
y. w. every ever. lhlnS vi the tenders. ous"'
T RI ,'oe '|Ns Then, responded another sea
,,,,,, :, las taken or driven back into port
m',I,. han twenty six crafts in the last three
=. -. shall be glad for one when our fri,
gate lying on there gets her armpnent aboard. i
or ihch ! MINK vv'u swallow the English fri c
iale outside, and pick our toet, with ,tr,-
All these remarks were heard by the youna i
officer, who all the while continued to- look
through the spy glass at the tender and her
chase.
There goes gum cried several of the spec.
lators, as flash and jet OF azure smoke came
from the tenders bows.
mat IS bold enough, observed tho Young Of
iicer as ii speaking his thoughts aloud the
lmpudent tender Is almost up with the fort
ana dares TO fire at the chase in the very face
OF the batteries
1t Is only to try and do her mischief. sir.
SAID the masters mate; for she finds the fore
and alter VIII escape heT-so she fires gun
to cut awaS something.
lou are right, my man. responded the OIL
Ger, lor she has put about and stands TO sea
ward again.
lie continued to watch the retiring tender
Tor some moments in silence.
Its pity we hadn't an armed cutter i'm port
mat would sail faster than she can SO that we
might give her a chase out said a lad. an
preaching the group. His dress was that of a
lnIdshIpnan, and his air singulary free and
fearless.
All, Flank. are YOU there2 said the licutcn-
ant When did you get back from your faith ,
er's?
Last night wasin hopes to find tho shin
ready Tor sea, Mr.. Pcrcival: but a,n told II a
viii be three weeks before we can get ready. {
want To have a brush with John Bulls ri
gate, who hovers of the harbor with such :
Drayodolng. When did YOU get in town. sir? q
yesterday morning. Have you been wit
On ss'nS ne pretty chase down the bay, Fmukl ]
Yes. ] would give a years pay il could
ave hand in capturing that rogue. g
Comc aside with m. said tlIc officer. put i
ing ms arm in that OF ia midshipmn. Your
words but express my own wishes. / have Il
onceiyed plan for capturing that tender il
la what way! demanded the youth with an.
nation. u
viii show YOU. The tenders game an ii
'ears to bc the cods,ing vessels: from which Il
&C. takes men io impress in the British navy. "
ma ais" plumbers the craft OF such things as 81
lcy contain which are OF value. My plan i, a.
% charter an old sloop tie worst looking one s
lat 1t IS possible TO lind u port. ycta tolcra- O
- sailrr Tor she must work well and readily y
'b'y h'r helm. will load her deck with 6,
zen coops, we'll filed with poultry. pens d
fdmmed with pigs, and a icw sheen. and d
1lI or two, by way Oi variety Yuu lauph. d
frank, but TIE commander Of the tender viii q,
ind IL mo- laughing matter, il succeed al an. II
iCipate shall ship about thiriy-Gyc mon. -,
hd conceal them iu thc hold, and taking com g.
nand ol my crir with one hand only ST .ibIe nj
~ deck, ] shall set sail out OF thc harboT.-
N hen get outside, ! think shall h.. abi. fo|
. y
ihrly To- forget very suon. butall will drpeud Nh
~ our Fpud management of the affair Now a.,
ou see what | would b. at frank viii ,on in
Din mr. ~
Helr, and had, sir responded Frank T,l p,
~ with enthusiasm. viii YOU allow ur ,o
the hand on dack 90 help wor, On .I.,py D
Yes ID sou cln alk Wcajh.rsG. Y11t.. ia
MalI, } mh"r guess hen. thJ lo'uth..n O..
p Lonn'rucu, among 'cn since l5st er,- ir
This reply WAS pronounced Inn ui.L a. ill.,
ui'abIe Yankee DAT llie Iicuienin. b.r..,t., a..
hearty laugh
You win do, Frank Sow wc want ep,,.
'ed at once Co action. want sou tB ~ a..
BE- Anchor rnj.ztoU. iu Pearl .fr,.t and
rum u- about fs. anil thirty men. T4.
lly tIiosr That afs dau1. 1ud re,I, o,8Y, y
ling. let nuue ol them know ,aIf ohio. l''
- YOU b. betrayed by information b.ins Con. '' .'
'}ed TO thc tender You wiu im man O.. Wv,
Ia ia fIl.aafl "a. I...