Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03


the progress of the last war with Great Britain,
that young naval officer standing on the bat
,ery at New York, had his attention drawn
to a group of persons earnestly engaged In
watching two vessels just visible down the
harbor. ..........| .-.
What is it, my friends y he asked in frank,
hearty tone, as he joined them. I-
The tender again, chasing in schooner,
sir answered an old tar, touching the point of
his hat as he noticed the anchor button ON the
officers coat.
Here is spy-glass, sir said masters
mate who stood near, at the same time respect
fully handing it to him.
Thank you, my man, answered the heuten-
ant with smile, as he took the instrument
and placed it to his eye.
By its aid he could clearly distinguish an
armed schooner Of about ninety tons, crowd
ing sail in chase of trading fore-and-after
that was making every exertion to escape
both by towing and by throwing water upon
the sails.
The chase is about half-mile ahead, sir
said the masters mate !; but the tender sails
like shark in chase of dolphin. The fore
and-after don't stand chance Of getting in past
the fort.
The tender can sail, and am the one that
ought to know it, said stout, weather-beaten
looking man. She was pilot boat, and the
fastest craft that ever danced over the waves.
Three weeks ago and my crew were out in
her, when the English frigate suddenly made
her appearance out of fog bank and brought
us to. But took my yawl and pulled for the
land league away, and escaped; for the fog
was so thick the Englishmen could not get
glimpse of me- 1t is my schooner they've
turned into tender, sir, and that's made SO
many captures the last three weeks, of our
small coasters
She carries forty men, and long thirty
two, so | hear observed seaman in the
group.
'And is commanded by luff and a REFER
added the masters mate.
1T would be blessing observed man
who had not vet spokea, it that craft could be
caught mapping. 1t amt safe for sloop to
put her nose out of the harbor beyond the cape;
but while the frigate was there alone, they
could skip along the coast in light water, and
show her their heels. But Row, everything
tha, ventures out is brought to by that long gun
Of the tender's.'
That's fact, then,' responded another sea-
man. She has taken or driven back into port,
no less than twenty-six crafts in the last three
weeks. / shall be glad, for one, when our
frigate lying off there gets her armament
aboard, for then we'll swallow the English
friga,e outside, and pick our teeth withrthe
tender
All these remarks were heard by the young
officer, who all the while continued to look
through the spy-glass at the tender and her
chase. -....
There goes gum cried several of the
spectators, as flash and jet Of azure smoke
came from the tenders bow.
- That is bold enough observed the young
officer, as if speaking his thoughts aloud, the
impudent tender is almost up with the fort, and
dares TO fire al the chase in the very face Of the
batteries .-..r
..Ilis only to try and do her mischief, sir,
said the masters mate; !; for she finds the fore
and-after will escape her, and so she fires gun
to cut away something
You are right, my man, responded the OIL
Ger, for she has put about and stands seaward
again
He continued to watch the retiring tender
for some moments in silence.
It's a pity we hadn't an armed cutter in
port that would sail faster than she can, so that
we might give her chase OUT said lad, ap
preaching the group. His dress was that of
midshipman, and his air singularly free and
fearless.
'Ah, Frank, are you there, said the lieu
tenant. When did you get back from your
father'si'
Last night Twas in hopes to find the ship
ready for sea, Mr.. Percival but am told it
will be three weeks before we can get rea-
dy. want to have brush with John Bulls
frigate which is lowering off the harbor with
such bravadoing. When did you get in town,
sir,'
: Yesterday morning. Have you been wit
Messing the chase down the bay, Frank.'
Yes. Iwould give years pay if could
have hand in capturing that rogue
Come aside with me-, said the officer. put
ting his hand in that of the midshipman.-
Your words but express my own wishes. |
have conceived plan for capturing the ten
DER
..In what wayt' demanded the youth with
animation.
twill show you. The tenders game ap-
pears to be the coasting vessels ; from which
she takes men to impress in the British navy,
and also plumbers the craft of such things as
they contain which are of any value. My plan
is tn charter IN old sloop, the worst looking
one that it is possible to find in port, yet toi-
cradle sailer, for she must work well and readily
obey her helm. will load her decks with
henrcoops, well filed with poultry, pens cram
med with pigs, few sheep, and calf or two
BY way of variety. You laugh, Frank, but the
commander of the tender will find /, NO laugh
int matter if succeed as l anticipate. l
shall ship. about thirty-6ve men, and conceal
them in the hold, and taking command of my
tss'.A. with one hand only visible on deck, /