The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-06-26
From the y. i Home Journal.
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.
BY THE SURGEON.

In the month of August, 1923, when the
war ragged between Buenos Ayres and Brazil,
in South America, found mrself with many
others from the northern division of our con-
tinent, engaged on the part of the former.
Not only was there hope Of laurels to be
won. our chivalry excited and our wild oats
to sow, but we had heard of, or personally
witnessed, the gross conduct of Pedro towards
the American Minister and Consul carried
to such an extent as Obliged the former to
demand his passports and return home It
was therefore, a war of Americanism against
dcspotism. | was made surgeon Of the brig
ot-war Sampson, mounting eight guns, though
a larger vessel under a different commander
had been offered me- We were ordered to
run down the coast and land a spy at Bahia,
who was TO create IN insurrection of the
blacks, and thus obligc the enemy to call in
her fleet from the blockade of the river of
Plata, together with iniunctions to do as much
mischief as possible going and returning to
any thing under the green flag of Brazil. We
had proceeded thus far upon our errand, and
had so we'll executed and obeved our com
nands, that thirteen pennants from vessels
OF war; and a countless number of merchant
flags were displayed as proof OF our success
beside the prizes manned and sent in. The
consequence of the latter trophy. however,
was annoying, The manning of 50 many
prizc-vcs>cS from our own crew left Us so re
duccd III strength and numbers, as to compel
US to dismiss, with prisoners, valuable YES
sci, the st. John, for absolute want of an OH
Ger 10 take charge of her. The heutcnants
had taken command. one after another. of tn"
captured vessels Of war; and the ma>tcr-purs-
er, mil>hipmen and masters mates had been
! sent in with the merchant prizes Our COM
: mandcr now stood alone. without sin9}e sea
: officer; the crew. too, had necessarily be-
Y come much reduced: thirtv-eight men and
:, three boys were all that remained of the gal
Y liant hundred who had left port but few
months before
On board one of the lately canture5l y-,,- .
an En-,.Sliman, acting as supercarso, gave
the Intelligence of an cnemy's brig-of- war ~
: ing in port. ready to 81! at i moments warn
1.@. IL ""' ''".t"..-.. I",.u i,lv,~,, 80,
Il commerce. vessel mounting eighteen guns
v -twentv-tour poundcrs-a a hundred and
:. tlirtv-two men. DESPITE this grcat disparity
/ of force, our commander concluded that III,
n mi@ht be taken by >urpri>e-anl that Yer.
Vt hour, rav. that very moment-his design wa:
h put into execution
IS The evening before that battle remcmbcr
n as Yesterday. Our commodore came on deck
l.; with the gunner, saving to him. You will liz
= too unit! daylight with Your head off shore
:. when will Join YOU with the other hri e
% Quartcrmastcr, where is the prize -
e "Und"r the lee bow, sir; she seems to hav
D filled away"
p Man the weather man-hracc square 4
70 way main-vard board man-tack aft sheet
i were the quick commands; and in few min
is utes the two vessels were again within speak
ing distance.
a Brig ahoy" No answer "Brig ahoy
st louder: no answer. Brig ahoy" sternI,
IN "Answcr. or l will sink YOU" \ pause
Still no answer.
he "Forecastle, there, clear away No. 9, an
20 send your shot into their cabin TO drive the
n up from their erog,"
vs. "Ay, ay, sir"
he And in a moment the loud report of a gr
al was heard, and the grating crash of the sh
all was followed by the echo reverbcrating alol
he the coast of Olinda and Pernambuco
"Thcrcs work for YOU, Doctor" said o
ng Captain.
osc "Oh pray don't kill us" cried we;
rv, voice from the prize "the men are all drum
NO. and what can do 2"
This came from bov who had been Il
the nv mistake when the Brazilans were broue
rid away.
the Put the helm down = and, as if urged
ev- one impulse, both vessels swung graceful
up into the wind. The brig -ot-war kept I
zen der steerage way until the maintopsail of t
mir prize caught aback, when she hauled up
ink mainsail and hove to.
Of The gunner went on board with his pr
nds crew, and sent back the fellows who had,
me the boatswains mate said, Subjected him
Of extra duty with his cat"
this 1t appeared that the prize crew tempo
rilv left in charge had discovered case
r;,b gin, and placing it on the cabin table,
,oet taken out one or more of its square fiasks,s
Nth emptied them with such diligence as to r
and der themselves in common parlance, ''drr
.,,a as fools" that the man from the helm
ioined them, and the vessel, left "at her @
sweet WILL" fell off before the wind
main braces having been carelesslv belaye
o' her main-topsal had filled away. and she
eers fairly running into port of her own accorC
v 10 From the blissful state of somnolency prod
lrcd ed hv the too ardent use of the ardent.
'ta'e shot awoke the quarto seated around TIE
oe case: not that an ordinary sho: thrown
ther random across the bow or stern. or do
eece hroad,ides thrown over them could have
fma- dured a single man to stir, but this shot
;no hecn we'll directed, went through the