The Columbian fountain., 1846-04-06
III Il FRIG ATE,S ENDER.
BY PROF. j. II. INGRAHAM.

battery at New York, had his attention
drawn to a group of persons earnestly en-
gagged in watching two vessels just visible
far down the harbor.
"What is it, my friends 4" he asked in
a frank hearty tone, as he joined them.
"The tender, again, chasing in a schoo-
point Of his hat as he noticed the anchor
button on the officers coat
"Here is a spy-glass, sir, said masters
mate, who stood near, and at the same
time, respectfully handed it to him
"Thank iyou, my man, answered the
lieutenant, with smile, as he took the in
strument and placed it to his eye.
By its aid he could clearly distinguish an
armed schooner of about ninety tons, crowd
ing sail in chase Of "a trading sfore-and- latter
that was making every exertion to escape,
both by towing and throwing water upon
the sails.
The Chase is about half mile ahead,
sir" said the masters mate; s'but the tender
sails like shark in chase of a dolphin
The tfore-and-after' don't stand chance of
getting in past the fort"
IC tCudCl SdI odlI9 oHu 1 all Ou6 lIldL
ought to know it," said 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
frlgrate suddenly made her appearance out
of 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
SO thick the Englishman could not get
glimpse of me. 1t is my schooner that
they have turned into tender, sir, and that
has made SO many captures during the last
three weeks, Of our small coasters"
''She carries forty men and long thirty
two, so hear" observed an old seaman in
the group.
g 1t would be blessing" observed a
man-of-war's man, who had not before
spoken, /" if that craft could be caught nap
ping. 1t amt for sloop to put her nose
out of the harbor, beyond the cape-but
while the frigate was alone, they could
slip along the coast in light wafer, and show
her their keels. But now, everything that
ventures out is brought to by that long gun
of the tender's.'
"That's fact, Ben," responded another
seaman. "She has taken or driven back
into port, no less than twenty-siX craft in
the last three weeks. | shall be glad, for
one, when our frigate lying off there gets
her armament aboard; for then, think,
we'll swallow the English frigate outside,
and pick our teeth with the tender"
All these remarks were heard by the
young officer, who, all the while continued
to look through the spy-g lass at the tender
and her chase.
"There goes gun ~ cried several of
the spectators, as flash and Jet of azure
smoke came from the tenders bows.
"That's bold enough" observed the
young officer, as 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 of the batteries"
at is only to try to do her mischief,
said the masters mate, I" for she finds the
fore-and-alter will escape her, SO she fires
gun to cut away something"
You are right, my man. responded
the officer; for she has put about and
stands seaward again"
He continued to watch the retiring ten
der for some moments in silence
''It is a pity we hadn't an armed cutter
in port that would sail faster than she can,
so that we might give her chase out,'
said lad, approaching the group. His
dress was that of midshipman, and his
air siugularly free and fearless.
"Ah, Frank, are you there :" said the
Lieutenant, "when did you get back from
your ia theirs 7"
''Last night was in hopes to find the
ship ready for sea, Mr.. Percival, but am
told il will be three weeks before we can
get away. | want to have brush with
John BULBS frigate which hovers off and
on the harbor with so much bravadoing.
When did you get in town, sir ?"
" Yesterday morning. Have you been
witnessing the pretty chase down the bay,
Frank 7"
eyes. ] would give years pay if |
could have hand in capturing that rogue"
Come aside with me- said the officer,
,, putting his arm in that of the midshipman.
/ 's Your words but express my wishes. ]
/, have conceived plan for capturing tha'
: tender"
"In what way, sir'" demanded the
youth, with animation"
IL ID