The Southern journal., 1846-03-07

tackled to preserve the weather gauge.
At three, p. NJ, the enemy bore down
on the Wasp's weather quarter, an.
swered the cannon Of defiance, and
stood gallantly down to close. When
within sixty yards of the American the
chase fired a shifting gun from his
topgallant forecastle, and repeated
the same -unwelcome salute for sever
al munites. This destructive fire, was.
however, borne without a murmur, by
the Wasp, which vessel could not
bring gun to bear on her antagonist.
A favorable moment had now arrived.
"Put your helm DOWN. cried Blake.
ly, from the quarterback.
In a moment the broadside of his
vessel began to show its teeth upon
the enemy, and soon the stranger re.
ceived his former double. shotted sa-
lutte with interest.
"Haul up the main-sail!" Numbered
the deck trumpet. sa8 s.,
The order had scarcely died away,
before the heavy sail hung in festoons
upon the main- yard. The fire OF the
Wasp now became dreadful--every
shot told; and feeling that every risk
was safer than the one he was then
running, the captain of the British
cruiser. at forty minutes past three,
ran the Wasp aboard on the larboard
quarter, his larboard bow coming
foul. The English commander, now
ordered the magic command-"Boar-
ders, away" and placing himself at
the head Of his crew, endeavored to
carry the deck of his antagonist.
Three times in succession the attempt
was made, and three times the Ameri.
cans drove the assailants back with
great slaughter. At the third rush,
the gallant captain of the enemy fell
from the Wasp's mzzen rigging, while
in the act Of fourishing his sword
two bullets had pierced his brain, and
be was dead ere he touched the deck.
! AT forty:four minutes past three,
Captain Blakely gave the order to
board in turn. The American sea-
men now started en- n,asse, bounded
over the hammock MEETINGS of the enc
my living torrent; and in one minute,
amid the clashing of cutlasses, the
sharp reports of boarding pistols, the
groans of the dying and the yells of
the wounded, were masters Of the foe.
As the sword Of the dying Manners
was laid upon the capstan, the flag of
Britain dropped suddenly upon the
bloody deck of the Reindeer; and ere
the spectator could mark the move.
ment, the banner of freedom foated
triumphantly in its place.
The Reindeer was an Is gun sloop
Of war, and had compliment of lis
souls. She had 25 killed and 40
wounded; while the Wasp had but S
killed and % wounded.
After burning his shattered prize,
the victorious Blakely shaped his
course for L'Orient, where he arrived
on the Slh Of July, with his ensign wa
wing under the tattered flag Of Eng
land, and his vessel crowded with
prisoners of war.
On the 9th Of August, having un.
dergone thorough repair, the Wasp
dropped down to the outer anchorage,
and departed from the shores of
France. Having made few prizes,
she stood farther out to sea, and on
the morning Of the Isl of September,
found herself in the midst of a fleet
Of merchantmen, under convoy Of the
Amanda seventy.four.
With his accustomed skill and gall
lantry, Capt. Blakely now beat to
quarters, and dashed in among the
unsuspecting fleet. A vessel loaded
with guns and military stores was
soon captured, and while the board.
ing officer was busi!y engaged with
another, the seventy -four came down
upon the wind and stopped the havoc