Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-01-31

she overhauled her, and found she was
about catching tartar, just in time to pre-
vent boarding. Finding the privateer ma
king of, the captain Of the frigate opened
fire upon the little vessel, now crowding
sail for St Kits. Fortunately her rig
ging remained uninjured, and the vessels,
as / before said, came into the harbor, the
irigate closely pursuing the privateer, and
both anchored under the walls Of the fort.
In few moments boat was seen leav-
ing the shore with the British Consul on
board. The boat soon returned with both
the captain of the frigate and the Consul,
and the two proceeded to the residence of
the Governor, where they remained for
an hour. When they left the Governor
house, both seemed delighted, and on ar
irving at the waters edge,s the British
captain remarked, that he would send the
privateer TO England next day, with des-
patches.
Soon the news was limited about that
the Governor had ordered the privateer TO
leave the port within twelve hours, or its
neutrality should be no protection, and this
decision was based upon its violation by
the captain Of the privateer, in invading its
neutrality, by capturing merchantmen
within the harbor, some weeks previous.
The excitement among the American res
ilents upon the reception of the news was
intense, and even the French citizens,
whose feelings were ever against the Eng
lish, whom they regard as their natural
enemy, and in favor Of the Americans,
whom they regard as natural allies against
England, the feeling OF indignation was
freely expressed, while the English resi-
dents were loud in their exulta,ion.
All eyes were turned to the doomed
vessel. Her captain had been duly noti-
fled of the determination of the Governor,
but no movement was seen by which her
course of conduct could be foreshadowed.
AT length the order was given to weigh
anchor, and the same moment the same
order was given on board the frigate, and
both vessels, side by side, steered for the
mouth of the harbor, the privateer with
but sufficient canvass to carry her out, the
frigate with sails so set as to move neither
faster nor slower than did her anticipated
prize. The Americans OH shore were
loud in their indignation. Ii the privateer
was 10 be taken, they preferred that she
should be boarded and captured under the
guns of the fort, that the question of right
OF the Governor TO refuse protection,
might be made national affair.
Slowly the vessels sailed towards the
mouth Of the harbor. In the commence
ment of this description said the harbor
had two outlets; the one broad and deep,
the other shallow, narrow, and dangerous
The latter was used by fishermen in going
to sea, for it cut Oft near one mile in get
ting TO the ocean; the other was used as
an outlet, and the only one, for vessels of
war and merchantmen.
As the two vessels were nearing the
lesser outlet, the privateer was at once,
as if magic, covered with sail--every
stitch Of canvass that she could bear,being
placed upon her. At once she dashed
into the narrow outlet and cry of horror
rose from the old fishermen on shore, for
none supposed she could pass through it,
but must founder on the rocks with
which it abounded. With the speed of
an arrow shot from a crossbow, the gall
liant vessel sped OH, as obedient to the pi-
lot as though possessed Of human reason.
The frigate, too, crowded all sail for the
deeper channel. On shore the excitement
was intense-scarce a sound was heard,
SO deep and absorbing was the race, that
men seemed almost afraid to breathe. -
On swept the glorions privateer, and on
went the !riga,e, each strained to the ut
most, like two gallant horses contending
for the prize. The one was flying from
captiyity-the other for the honor and for
the enolument Of the capture. The priva-
teer had gained two-thirds OF the distance,
but the most dangerous passage lay before
her, yet still did her taper masts bend be-
meath the weight of fcanvass--still her keel
was untouched by rock or bar, and on
she sped. Soon the crooked windings
of the channel were all passed, the last
snnken rock was left behind, while the
figate, though within the distance of half
mile, had near two miles 10 run ere she
could gain the open sea. The deep
s'thank God!" Of those ON shore, told that
all danger was passed, and as the keel of
the privateer touched the ocean, ball was
seen for moment suspended at her mast
head, which soon unwinding itself, that
little piece of bunting -ssthe Star Span
gled Banner" (Which had before been
hoisted, opened to view, as the sucy little
privateer, in defiance, opened a fire on
the lrigate, which being still within the
harbor could not return it. The shout
which then rose from the shore--from
Americans. Frenchmen and from the men
Of all nations, save the English, seemed to
shake the very heavens, 50 loud and deaf
ening was it, and the cheers were resum-
ed again and again, as when the frigate
dashed out Of the harbor il was seen that
the privateer, then running before her
best wind, was already hull down at sea,
and was soon lost to the eye in the rotun-
dity Of the ocean.
The frigate after pursuing the chase for
short distance, gave it up, and returned
that night to the harbor.
She remained not long in the station,
for the very boys in tie streets would
talk Of the chase, when the officers of the
frigate were passing, for the purpose Of