Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-04-26
APRIL 96, $40.

English Bill. "Come down my boy Creep in
creep IN! Seize one of the haliards, and let
yourself down with rum"
SAY, ay," cried Isaac, as he finished reeving
the tack. He then quickly gathered few faith
oms in his hand, threw the coil down upon the
orecastle, and the sail wOs Immediately hosted.
The long tom was again elevated, and the gun
ner was in the act Of applying the match; but
Isaac stopped not for the additional peppering:
1.-THE cords ran swiftly through his glowing
hands,
And quick as lightning on the deck he stands !"
Hah !--my little younker!-my eyes, butyou
are brave 'un-You'll be an admiral yet-d'ye
|kee?" exclaimed English Bill as he joyfuly hug.
"a the Shipping an. his tsrg,rs5- ufr'is. &.
The prediction of Bill rang in the ears Of
Isaac for many year afterward1. 1t was like
the prophetic sound of the bells to the hearing Of
Wilmington:
"Turn again. Wilmington
Lord Mayor of great London"
The hasty strides Ct Seth were again arrested
by another shot, which passed through the sail
over his head. He folded his arms-looked up
at the rent saI.-and drew up his form, as if some
new purpose had taken possession If his des.
pairing mind.
"By heaven !" said he he, I" Twill not part with
so fine ship and cargo, without deadly struggle
"Swear not" said Jethro, it will not help us
in our strait We may better yield quietly to
the pacessity. Put down thy help,. Seth, and
bring the ship to-" -
"Yield quietIy-didst thou say?-and did
understand thee Alright, when thou bid me to
bring the shipto?" The eyes of Seth Charged
wildly upon Jethro, and his uostrils distended
like those of an infatuated wild bull at bay
"Put down the helm indeed Pray, neghbor Je-
thro, who is the commander of the Grampus-
thou or :" demanded Seth in high dudgeon.-
But he evidently avaied himself Of the first pre-
text to let off his anger, for he was waxing ex-
cecding wroth.
Jethro answered calmly" Thou, surely, ar
her captain-and yield all to thy discrehon.-
Save the ship if thou canst but thou canst mol
We have no means of defence, and if we had
it would notbe justifabe to oppose with arms
"Jethro, my resolution is taken-,I will save
this ship or sink in her. What! yield to tina
little gaddy-that gallinipper-hat is scarcely
larger than our long boat"
Another shot, better directed than the other
splimered piece from the mainnast, and woun
dcd one Of the crew.
"There, Jethro there are some of the tende
mercies of the French pirate, and an earnest G
what sAe,-a.ay all eAPect i takeRe' .-.s y.s.
"Yield thee, Seth, yield thee! The longe
thou dost delay, so much the more hazard to tn
lives of the people"
"Thou hadst better go below, Jethro-I mus
command here. Yield indeed the ship shal
sink first, muttercd Seth, as Jcthro began to de
scend.
"Stand by there men" shouted the captain
in voice that made every sailor start. 1t wa
evident to all that Seth had put off the Quake
and that prompt obedience was necessary.
"Get the longboat ready to be launched at
moments warning-clear away the quarter boat
and see all clear to lower them in an Instant
Mate take in all the small sail quickly"
The manner of Seth was somewhat Wild bu
resolute and determined; and the men and off
GERS having done his behest, stood wonlern
what command would be next issued, and where
unto these would tend that had already been eS
ccuted. The Fienchman was also at fault; fc
taking the maneuvring Of Seth for an intentio
to give up his ship, the schooner was hove t.
and seemed to await the lowering Of the boG
from the quarter Of the Grampus-even as tn
conqueror awaits the approach of an enemy sui
dued, who comes to yield up his sword.
rounding to, the schooner had given the advar
tuge of the wind to the ship; and while tn
French crew stood agapc at the management {
the larger vessel, which they already looked upo
as prize, Seth seized upon the helm with hi
brawny hand. The men scarcely needing tn
caulionng word, anticipated his intention as
put the helm hard up, and gave his inpressiv
shout in a suppressed and peculiar tone, whic
was heard distinctly from stem to STERN:
"!Iet 60 all the braces and bowlines, slack 0
sheets and tacks, and square the yards quickly
This was all done in the twinklng of an ey
and Seth shaped his course as though he wou
bring his ship under the lee-quarter of the pr
vateer
After making this demonstration, which wa
intended to deceive the enemy, her direction W,
suddenly changed, and her head was brought
, bear directly upon the hull of the Frenchmar
| The crew of the schooner now discovered, b.
. too late, the design of the Grampus; and conf
. sion and dire amazement agitated the people u
Oh her crowded deck. In their haste to remed
2 their oversight, the Frenchmen failed altogeth
t to avert the threatened disaster.
: off thou dost intend to run her down. sa
1 Jethro to Seth, hurredly projecting his head Fl
: moment from the cabin gangway, "iG--na
b hear me, Seth, for the sake of humanity if the
y art determined to run her down, ease thy hel
c little, and give them chance Tor their lives
It "Stand by to lower the boats !" vociferatt
n Seth, stamping furously upon the deck. A su
pressed groan of horror escaped the crew, as the
, now more plainly conceived the design of the
| captain.
Y uThc boldest held his breath for tmew
1 The little schooner still lay to, in the troug
of deep sea- her people running backward al
. forward in frightened confusion, while the hug
Il bulk of the Grampus mounted the last high way
" that separated the two vessels.