Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-07-01
THE STORY TELLER
From tho Home Journal.
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

BY THE SURGEON.

L toH dill uHpuOllSneO WORK.
In the month of August, 1923, when The
war ragged between Buenos Ayres and Bra
I'll, in South America, found myself with
many others from the northern division of
our continent, engaged on the part of the for
mer
Not only was there the hope of aureIs to be
won, our chivalry excited, and our wild oats to
sow, but we had heard of, or personally wit
messed, 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. 1t was, therefore.
war of Americanism against despotism
was made surgeon of the brig-of-war Sampson,
mounting eight guns, though larger vessel
under different commander had been offered
me. We were ordered 10 run down the coast
and land spy at Bahia, who was to create an
insurrection of the blacks, aud thus oblige the
enemy 10 call in her fleet from the blockade of
the river of Plata, together with injunction to
do as much mischief as possible going and re-
turning TO anything under the green flag of
Brazil. We had proceeded thus far on our
errand, and had so well executed and obeyed
our commands, that thirteen penants from ves-
sells OF war, and countless number of mer-
chant flags were displayed as proof of our sue
cess, beside the prizes manned and sent OUT
The consequence of the latter trophy, however,
was annoying. The manning of so many prize
vessels from cur own crew left US so reduced in
strength and numbers, as TO compel US to dis
miss, with prisoners, a valuable vessel, the ST.
John, for absolute want of an officer to take
charge of her. The lieutenants had taken
command, one after another, of the captured
vessels of war; and the master purser, mid
shipmen and masters mates had been sent in
with the merchant-prizes. Our commander
now stood alone, without single sea-of1icer
the crew, too, had necessarily become much
reduced; thirty-eight men and three boys were
all that remained of the gallant hundred who
had left port but few months before.
On board one of the lately captured vessels,
an Englishman, acting as supercargo, gave the
! intelligence of an enemy's brig-of-war lying in
port, ready to sail at a moments Warming
She was stationed here to protect the COM
merce-a vessel mounting eighteen guns
twenty four pounders-and hundred and thir-
ty-two men. Despite this great disparity OF
force, our commander concluded that she might
be taken by surprse-and that very hour, nay,
that very moment-hs design was put into ex-
ecution.
The evening before that battle l remember
as yesterday Our commander came on deck
with the gunner, saying to him. You will
lie too until daylight, with your head off shore,
when will join you with the other brig
Quarter-master, where is the prize!'
Under the lee bow, sir; she seems 10 have
filled away -..
Man the weather main brace; square away
main-yard board main-lack aft sheet were
the quick commands; I; and in few minutes
the two vessels were again within speaking
distance.
Brig ahoy!' No answer. Brig ahoy !
louder; no answer. Brig ahoy - sternly.-
Answer, or will sink you.' A pause. Still
no answer.
'Forecaste, there, clear away No 2, AM
send your shot into their cabin to drive then
up from their grog.' u
| 'Ay, ay, sir