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

chorus; and away several SCampered up the |
shrouds, pell-mel Among the rest was per-
ceived the slight figure of the lad, who ascen-
ded with remarkable agility, and left the 9TH !
ers far behind. The mate could hardly credit
what he saw, and gazed aloft in amazcment |
Maintopgallant, there !" hailed the mate |
"Ay, ay, sir,' replied Isaac, in as eruff
voice as he could muster for the occasion.
What sort of a craft IS that to Windward,
and how is she standings
6 1t is small black schooner, all legs and
arms" replied Mr., Maintopg,llant; and she
is bearing dewn upon us under press of sail
Now she runs up a 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 !"
Presently dull, heavy report, came boom
ing on the breeze, and laundering sound
echoed against the sides of the ship. The
glass was bent upon the approaching schoon-
err, whose hull had not yet entirely risen ont
OF the water. Her flag was found to he the
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, az, SIR echoed along the deck, and
every sailor stood ready at his post for prompt
action. -
Seth and tethro now appeared on deck,
wondering not little at the uncommon stir
on board, surprised 10 find every man rea-
dy, whenever the word should be given, to
put the ship on.a new direction
g What does all this mean, mate - deman-
ded the captain, "why wouldst thou change
the course OF the ship?''
GO did not intend 10 do so without your
lioJ h. 1,,+ A.
it hest to have every thing ready for prompt
manpuvering. We have a suspicious look
ing sail on our weather bow, and she shows
should not be surprised TO find her clipper
with long tom amidships for she has given
lis a gun already"
" Rather a dangerous neighbor for US, sure
w. said the captain, g especially if she should
prove one OF those piratical rascals that some
times cut up our commerce Keep her away,
and see if she follows us" continued he, low
ering the poin4 of his glass
Away went the Grampus with a free wind,
snorting as it were, like a race horse, and
ploughing handsomely through the seas on
her altered way.
The Frenchman stccred for, and gained
gradually and steadily upon, the Grampus :;
and the event was most anxiousv looked for
by all on board. The ship, deeply laden as
she was with oil, was of great value, and, as
Seth thought, emnently worth preserving
But the Frenchmen were determined she should
change owners-fol 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
a crack while the laden ship, though the
| fleetest of her class, could not show her heels
to advantage, without stronger wind. Macy
| tried his vessel upon every tack--but escape
was impossble--the wedge-lke schooner
gained upon him at every turn
"Now would give the half of our cargo
said Macy, " for few guns to speak TO that
Saucy little scamp in his own language r.
And then turning to Jethro, he said rather
bitterly, =" Dost thou remember, friend Coffin,
what told thee about the six FOUNDERS before
we left port | fear thou wilt pay dearly G.
nOugh for not taking my advice. There comes
salute number TWo!'
A gun at that moment was fired from the
Frenchman, across the bow Of the Grampus,
but the shot went WIDE and was most proba-
bly, intended merely as warning to heave 10.
Seth paced the deck in great agony OF spirit,
muttenng as he went, words that sounded We
~ much like $ ddmndtlOIa,' and the like The
sound may have been equlvOCal to the ear OF
JethIt, Tor he forbore to put in his usual eau
| ton of 6" SlreGr not at dU,'' as he was wont
to do whenever Captain Seth used obnoxious
words.
The Grampus was now kept off two or three
points, and foretopmast- studdng- sail was
about being set; but, in the hurry of the mo-
ment, by some mlshap the tack got unrove
a couple OF hands were ordered aloft to rig
In the boom and reeve the tack anew. In an
instant little Isaac, who had heard the order
put the end OF the rope between his teeth, ran
up the fore shTouds, crept out on the rope OF
the fore-yard like monkey, then out upon
the bare boom. But before he had accom-
plished his task, the Frenchman brought then
long tom, charged with small shot, to heal
upon the yard, and let drive at Isaac think
ing, probably, that his labor might be the
means of enabling the Grampus to escape
The little fellow was not disconnected by this
terrible salute, although the balls whislled
like hail around him. He fearlessly and de.
libcrately went on with his work
s'They are again charging the gun y shout
ed English Bill. "Come down, my boy =
Creep in! Creep in! Seize one Of the hal
lizards and let yourself down with runp'
cay, ay," cried Isaac, as he finished reev
ing the tack. He then quickly gathered Z
Jew fathoms in his hand, threw the coil dowr
upon the forecastle, and the sail was immedi
ateIy hoisted The lonG-to was again ele
waited, and the gunner was in the act of apply
ing the match, but Isaac stopped not for thu
additional peppering:
g The cords ran swiftly til ough his glowing hands
And quick as lightning on the deck he stands ~
"Hah my little younker my eyes, blu
you are brave 'un-lou'll be an admira
yet-d'ye see ," exclaimed English Bill, as h.
joyfully Rugged the STRIPPING in his brawny
arms.
The prediction of Bill rang in the ears o
Isaac for many a year afterwards 1t was Ike
the prophetic sound of the bells to the hear
ing of Wilmington:
"Turn again, Wilmington
Lord Mayor of great London!'
The hastv strides of Seth were again ares
ted by another shot, which passed through TIT
sail over his head He folded his arms-Iook
ed up at the rent sal-and drew up his form
as if some new purpose had taken possession
of his despairng mind:
"By heaven !" said he, &C | will not par
with so fine ship and cargo without dead
ly struggler -
& Swear not :" said Jethro; " it will no
help Us in our strait We may better well
quietly to the necessity. Put down thy helm
| Seth, and bring the ship to-
Yield quietly, didst thou say and did
understand thee Alright, when thou bid me +
hrino tho shin 70 ,, The evcs of Sath oIora