The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-11-13
The Fight of the Grampus.

The mate had been looking out with a spy
glass, and observed sail to windward.
Jump aloft, one of you who has good eyes,
and tell me what you make out Of that craft
with the suspicious rake in her masts, on our
weather bow"
cay. ay, sir % they again sung out, in full
chorus and away several scampered up the
shrouds, pell- mel. Among the rest was per-
ceived the slight figure of the lad, who ascend
) ed with remarkable agility, and left the others
far behind. The mate could scarcely credit
what he saw, and gazed aloft in amazement.
Maintopgallant there !" hailed the mate.
GAY, ay. sir!' replied Isaac, in as gruff a
voice as he could muster for the occasion.
"What sort of craft is that to windward,
and how is she standings"
cit is a small black schooner, all legs and
arms" replied Mr. Maintopgallant; "and she
is bearing down upon us under press of sail !
Now she runs up flag, which you can make
out from the deck with the glass and, by the
flash and the smoke she Makes she has Just
fired gun p
Presently, dull, heavy report came BOOM
ing on the breeze, and laundering sound
echoed against the side of the ship. The
glass was bent upon the approaching sohoon.
err, whose hull had not yet entirely risen out
Of the water. Her flag was found to be French.
"Steward-call the captain" cried the
mate, in alarm. Forward, there call all
hands on deck-stand by to put the ship
about!'
"Ay, ay, sir" echoed along the deck and
every sailor stood ready at his post for prompt
action.
Seth and Jethro now appeared on deck, Won
dering no. little at the uncommon stir on
board and surprised to find every man ready,
whenever the word should be given, TO put
the ship on new direction.
"What docs all this mean mate ," demand
e the captain "why wouldst thou change the
course Of the ship:'
Il did not intend to do so without your
concurrence" replied the mate "bnt thought
it best to have every thing ready for prompt
manGuvring. We have a suspicious looking
sail on our weather bow, and she shows French
colors. By the rake of her masts, l should
not be surprised TO find her clipper, with a
long tom amidships; for she has given us ii
gun already"
"Rather dangerous neighbor for US, sure
ly," said the captain, ESPECIALLY if she should
prove one of those piratcal rascals that some
times cut up our commerce. Keep her away,
and see if she follows us" continued he, low
ering the point of his glass.
Away went the Grampus with free wind,
snorting, as it were, like race horse, and
ploughing handsomely through the seas on
her altered way.
The Frenchman steered for, and gained
gradually and steadily upon the Grampus
and the event was most anxiously looked for by
all on board. The ship, deeply laden as she
was with oil, was of great value, and, as Seth
thought, eminently worth preserving. But
the Frenchmen were determined she should
change owners-for they managed their little
craft with great skill, and altered their course
in chase whenever Macy changed his. The
breeze was brisk, and suited the schooner to u
crack while the laden ship, though the fleet
est of her class, could not show her heels to
advantage, without a stronger wind. Macy
tried his vessel upon every tack-but escape
was impossible-the wedge-like schooner
gained upon him at every turn.
CHOW would give the half of our cargo"
said Macy, for a few guns to speak to that
saucy little scamp in his ow7 language p
And then turning to Jethro, he said, rather
bitterly, "Dost thou remember, friend Coffin,
What told thee about the six-pounders, be-
fore we left ports fear thou wilt pay dearly
enough for not taking my advice. There