The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-06-26

t
Gle that nobody was killed but they were
well sobercd, and put under my hands in
stead of the boatswain's mates; their further
punishment deferred until their wounds were
healed, or they had redeemed their character
by good conduct IN action.
Before this little prelude was concluded.
symptoms Of approaching day had made their
appearance-the heavens for moment had
frightened up-and then deeper darkness
covered the waters.
"Doctor," said my Commodore, handing
me the night-e.ass with which he had been
watching the motions of the enemv's brig-of-
war about ten miles to lecward of us-"Doc- /
tor, pray keep the deck half an hour for me;
YOU are non-combatant, and NAV sleep while
we are at work. The brig has been told of
our strength, and will probably come out and
give us chance to take her in open fight
Il is too late to cut her out now, and to en-
gage under the guns Of the battery might he
called rash hy our rulers. After the men
have had breakfast | will take her if she
comes outside. Qnar'crmaster, keep the Prize
on our lee quarter. and shorten sail if YOU
find We are getting away from her" And 50
saving he threw off his hat and laid down in
hammock hung for him between two of the
quarterback GUNS
"Qnarermaster Hunter" said quarter
gunner, what do Won make Of that old man?
He's gone 10 sleep lik" 4 troopers horse all
standing, and means to wake up and FIGHT
that heavy craft the sailors of the last prize
told lis Of Amt he mad"
"Na. Ma" said the hin- >kcred Scot. who
from being the most athletic and faithful f,l-
low on board, was the Captains fancy man
Ma. Na if we ha to i.ht a wee bit it will ma
hurt us. We ha been p.ayin and scrimma.in
long rnow"
"Scrimmagc. is it," said Brown, the FIRST
speaker: do Won call it srrinmagc 10 take
those two biz letter o mark s-both twice a>
bio as us Powder and shot, what do vou
call a iight, them"
II "a T~,c,'ger a 4ich' and Abouhira Fl hit
when We had orr eighties matched vi eight
les, each choo>in' 4 bird and pcclin at it--a
Dcckin at il by the hour
"W"N hu. thar> no ~,rr-" sad Brown
''vou tought man ae;n man. and run a-in g;n
and now look at that ar" fellow. ~hrc,in' hom'
his topsail> and sav if he amt more nor
match for the likes of us -
They were now joined tv several of tn,
petty officers and men. who. mastering uror
the toreca>tlc. watched closely the enemy
movements, and gave 'hr;r opinions as to th
probable result Of an engagement All cx
cept Hunter We're evidently alarmed at tn
prospect before them. and tried hard 10 per
snalc him to ION them in carving rcqucs
to the commander that h" would not cnrar
an enemy Of such an ovnrwhclmin" force"
What for should clnr vi We :" sai
:, Hunter; Il ha as MANY lives As tie Cartair
and II! warrant we've as MANY friends as h
/ has"
This profound reasoning did not suit t.
unintclecual minds Of the group and it ",
determined that hoatswan'> mate, captai
y Of the torccaStle and a marine, shonld con
pose the deputation. 1t was DELAYED unt
after breakfast in the hope that it miaht pro,
'' unnecessary.
!" Meanwhile the Captain slept as SoundIv
if p;lowcd on down. receiving the reports {
the enemv's manGuvres with simple We,
III we'll" and sleeping again
lo' Eight bells were reported to be struck. Il
ny sentries were relieved. the hammocks h;
been slowed, the decks made clean and spr
"r less. the sails shceted home. and evcrvthi
done with as much regularity as if no cnen
DIN were in sight The men were hardly scat
H. round their mess-Fids when the Captain ste
ned from under the sail which had been snrc
eli over his hammock as an awning. and cast
mt quick glance aloft and along the decI
touched his hat and babe me good mornin
ov at the same time thanking me for the first
lily freshing sleep he had had for several nigh
nn- and plavfully complimenting me on my 81
'lc as sailor.
ner But. Doctor" said he. chow is it YOU ha
run away from the prize ? See where she
lze hull down, astern."
; as The fact was, we had been so busy W
10 our thoughts of the "morning's danger" a
the enemv's movements. that we had t
'ra- gotten the prize altogether.
ol 1t was now, however, apparent that
had brig-of-war had gwen up the idea of overt
ana ing us, which had at first seemed his obj
en- as we sailed too fast for him. and was m
INK ing for our prize to console himself with il
had When the men had finished their breakf
own the word was passed. all hands make S
-i'er clear away lower topmast and topgallant st
d ding sails of both sides
was And away we flew down towards the c
l. my, who by this time, was lying to in con
inc nv with our prize about ten miles to leew;
one The hands were now ordered to clear
GIN ship for action. Yards were slung, and
at clues stopped with chain grappels carried
'zen the ward arms; shot passed. up and everytf
III with rapidity only gained by constantr
hav- tice.
side As NV duty had heretofore confined nj