Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-11-26

GrampuS-thou or | ;" demanded Seth in high
dudgeon. But he evidently availed himself OF
the first pretext TO let of his anger, for he was
waxing exceeding wroth
Jethro answered calmiv-Es TH0u, surely,
art her captan-and yield all to thy discre-
ton. Save the ship if thou canst; but thou
cHnSt not We have no means of defence,
and if we had it would not be justitlable to OPP
pose with arms"
''Jethro My resolution is taken-I will
save this ship or sink in her. What! yield 10
that little gadhy-that gallinipper-that is
scarcely larger than our long boat -
Another shot better directed than the other,
splntered 4 piece from the mainmast, and
wounded one of the crew.
"There, JethrO there are some of the ten
der mercies OF the French pirate, and an ear
nest of what we may ali expect, if taken :"
I" Yield thee, Seth, yield thee! The longer
thou dost delay, so mach the more hazard 10
the lives of the people,
Thou hadst better go below, Jethro-I
must command here Yield, indeed the ship
shall sink first :" muttered Seth as Jcthro be.
gan to descend,
g Stand by there, men - shouted the cap
tain, in a voice that made every sailor start
! 1t was evident 10 all that Seth had put off the
Quaker, and that prompt obedience was ne
Cessary.
&C Get the long boat ready to be launched at
a moments warning-clear away the quarter
boat and see all clear to lower them in an in
! slant Mate, take in all the small sails quick
| lyr'
The manner OF Seth was somewhat wild
but resOlute and determined; and the men and
officers having done their best, stood wonder
ing what command would next be issued, and
Whercunto those would tend that had already
been executed. The Frenchman was also at
| fault; for installing the manpuvering of Seth
for an intention to give up his ship, the schoon-
er was hove TO, and seemed 10 await the low
cring Of the boat from the quarter of the Gram
pus-even as the cOnqucrors awaits the APP
proach OF an enemy subducd, who comes TO
yield up his sword. In rounding to, the
schooner had given the advantage of the wind
to the ship; and while the French crew stood
agape at the management of the larger vessel,
which they already looked upon as prize
Seth seized upon the helm with his brawny
hand. The men, scarcely needing the eau
tioning word anticipated his intention as he
put the helm hard up, and gave his impressive
shout in a suppressed and peculiar tone, which
was heard distinctly from stem to stern:
g Let go all the braces and bowlings, slack
off sheets and lacks, and square the yards
quickly! !" This was all done in the twink
ling of an eye, and Seth shaped his course as
though he would bring his ship under the Ice
quarter OF the privateer.
After making this demonstration, which
was intended 10 deceive the enemy her drcc-
ton was suddenly changed, and her head was
brought to bear directly upon the hull of the
Frcnchman. The crew of the schooner now
discovered, hut too late, the design of the
Gramnus; and confusion and dire Amusement
agitated the people upon her crowded deck. In
their Taste to remedy their oversight, the
Frenchman failed altogether to avert the threat
ened disaster.
IF thou dost intend to run her down." said
Jcthro to Seth, hurricdly, projecting his head
for moment from the cabin gangway, " if
nay, hear me, Seth, for the sake of humanity
If thou art determined to run her down, ease
thy helm a little, and give them chance for
their lives"
''Stand by to lower the boats! ' vocifcraed
Seth, stamping funously upon the deck. A
suppressed groan of horror escaped the crew.
as they now more plainly conceived the de-
; sign Of their captain
"The boldcst held his breath for time ~
ilC llltlC SClOOIlt1 sun w, Ill lllC
of deep sea, her people running backwards
and forwards in frightened confusion, while
; the huge bulk of the Grampus mounted the
last high wave that separated the two vessels
g 011sericorde p exclaimed hundred vol
, ces. wild scream of despair--heard far a
: bove the noise of the element and the dashne
= of the ship-burst from the poor doomed
Frenchmen.
Down came the Grampus, laundering upon
the privateer, and striking her with her plum
ging bow directly amidships. The frail schoon
er was cut directly in two by the shock; anC
her heavy armament, together with the ire
sistiblc force OF the severing blow, bore botl
parts of her hull, with all her Inflated crew
of a hundred souls, beneath the wave.
'sDown with the boats from the quarter
launch the long boat" shouted Seth But the
, command, though it could not have been ut
lcred nor executed sooner with safety, came
too late. The aim of Seth had been too fatal
ly sure. The boats rcachedth spot, and mar
rowly escaped being sucked into the vorte,
where the schooner had gone down. The
French crew were all sent to their long &C
count, and the next wave left not trace o
the wreck, nor solitary human being to b.
saved from watery death.
The ship and cargo were dearly ransomed
Jethro Coffin; and Seth, thou didst sacrifice
: hetacomb of human beings for thy preserva
ton.