The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-07-27

Rugged them ALL OF course there was
little noise, and crowd collected TO see
what was going on. Hospitable Jack made
every one welcome who looked over our
sides, and our decks were soon crowded.
Of The new comers, about thirty were Eng
lishmen, and although they were willing
enough TO drink off the punch given them,
they could not restrain their national pro-
pensity to be Extensively insolent. Pretty
loud whispering about "bloody rebels"
"d--n rascals," "oughtto have been hung"
at long'h reached the ears of Silas Weeks.
Silas was little drunk--a gooe deal so,
indeed, as the mate Afterwards told me, and
when he arose TO speak, his attempt at Dig
nifty caused derisive laugh from the Eng
lishmen.
"Mr. President" said Silas, addressing
the mate, "ths is the fourth Of July, and
right over your heed the American flag is
flying. l have just hearl from that quarter"
poiUing to where the Englsmen were stand
ing, "Some remarks ola character deregoto-
ry to our national birthday and our national
flag"
Thus far Silas had spoken with great pro-
priety, but now his passion got the better of
his dignity, the sublime orator sunk into tho
impulsve sailor, and he burst out
81 say, Mr. President, that those id
cockneys have insulted us, and d--n my top.
lights but they shall apologize or 60 over the
side"
Every man was on his feet in a minute,
our crew boiling with rage, while the foreign
guests full ofgrog and ready to fight for those
who provided 1t, watched eagerly for some
sign which should explain the cause of the
commoton. The mate endeavsred to quell
the disturbance, by requesting the English
men 10 leave the ship, but as they emily gave
him an nsolent refusal, his blood rushed to
his face, and turning 10 his men he shouted,
"Well then, boys, clear the decks"
Silas Weeks with one bound planted him
self right in the centre of the Englishmen,
and dealt out his blows right and left. The
rest of the men followed suit, and were car
rying out the mates orders in fine style,
when large reinforcement came TO the aid
of the English. This sudden accession Of
strength on the part Of the enemy called in
TO active service our reserve, and our Dutch,
Spanish, French and Danish friends, without
understanding what the fighting was about,
arranged themselves on our side, and the
decks were soon cleared.
i But though driven off, the enemy were
not vanquished. Our patty returned o,heir
grog, while the Englishmen increased their
numbers and stood together ON the dock, de-
termined to have another bout when the crew
left the ship at sun down.
The mate proposed visit 10 the theatre
which was readily agreed to. When the
time came 10 close the gates, the whole
party left the ship in good order. and were
proceeding towards the gate, when they
were intercepted by the enemy. The mate
saw that there must be another fight. and he
gave the word to close up and move on
Silas Weeks walked piece in front, as pi-
onecr TO clear the way. The Englishmen
were now two TO one, but Silas made an open
irg in their ranks, delivering his blows right
and left with such precision, that two Of our
antagonists went over. The opening thus
made was quickly enlarged, our progress was
not much delayed, all things considered
In ten minutes our party had knocked down
about twenty-five Of the enemy and cleared
the way. With three hearty cheers they
left the dock, and proceeded to the theatre
1t so happened at that time that the dra-
ma was in 'sdecline" in Liverpool. There
were not forty persons in the theatre on that
particular night, except our party, which had
no sooner entered the pit than they discover.
ed, with republican sagacity, that they were
in the majority.
The orchestra was playing an overture.
when Silas Weeks called for Hail Colum bia.
No notice was taken of the call by the lead
er, and the result was one tremendous yell
of "Hail Columbia The orchestra kept on
at the overture, and Silas, losing all patience
cried out
"Shipmates, perhaps the d--fools
don't understand the tune-lei's larn it to
en-"
The next moment began vocal entertain
ment which was certainly not set down III
the bills. Our men sung the piece well
bu. the Danes, Frenchmen, Spaniards and
, Dutchmen did not know note oft, yet fel
bound in obedience to Silas' signal 10 Join ir
the chorus. The effect may be imagined
The orchestra stopped their performance
: tho few people in the boxes looked on will
amazement, while the actors peeped from
behind the curtain, wondering what the devi
would come next.
When "Hail Columbia" was finished, i
! was loudly applauded by the performers oft
and Silas remarked that the fddlers mus
how understand the rig Of the tune and b.
!. able to run it off handsomely. Accordingl!
he reiterated the call, but with the same sue
cess.
: The curtain went up, and two actors appear