New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-06-21

as us Powder and shot what do you call .
fight then % -
..'f ca Trafalgar afghte and Aboukira n firhte.
When We had our eighty's matched wi eiehty.s
each choosin' a bird and peckin at it-an peckin
it by the hour oS','''
''Well, but that's no sign,,' said Brown 9. YOU
fought man agln man, and gun agin gun, and
now look at that are fellow sheetin' home his
topsahs, and say if he aint more nor a match
for the likes of us -
Ihey were now joined by several of the petty
o1icefs and men, who, mastering upon the fore
castle, watched closely the enemy's movements
ana gave their opinions as to the probable re-
suit Of an engagement. All except Hunter
were evidently alarmed at the prospect before
them, and tried hard to persuade him to Join
them III carrying request to the Commander
that ne would not engage an enemy of such an
overwhelming force.
:" What for should gang wi ye - said Hun
ter; ha' as many lives as the Captain, and
l'll warrant we've as many friends in hell as he
has, - -
This profound reasoning did not suit the un-
intellectual minds of the group, and it was de-
termlned that boatswain's mate, captain of
the forecastle and marine, should compose the
deputation. 1t was delayed until after break
iast' IN the hope that it might prove unneces-
sary
Meanwhile the Captain slept as soundly as if
pillowed on down. receiving the reports Of the
enemy manGuvres with q simple IS Very well. p
and sleeping again.
Eight bells were reported to be struck, the
sentries were relieved, the hammocks had been
slowed, the decks made clean and spotless, the
sails sheeted home. and every thing done with
as much regularity as if no enemy were in sight.
The men were hardly seated round their mess
kids when the Captain stepped from under the
sail which had been spread over his hammock
as an awning, and, casting quick glance aloft
and along the decks, touched his hat and babe
me good morning." at the same time thank
ing me for the first refreshing sleep he had had
for several nights, and playfully complimenting
me on my skill as q sailor - srssza-s-ss.
But, Doctor" said he, ,sss how is it you have
run away from the prize See where she is
hull down, astern! .
The fact was, we had been so busy with ou1
thoughts of the &c mornings danger and the
enemy's movements, that we had forgotten the
prize altogether.
1t was now, however, apparent that the brig
ot-waf had given up the idea of overtaking us
which had at first seemed his object, as we
sailed too fast for him, and was making for our
prize to console himself with it.
When the men had finished their breakfast.
the word was passed call hands make sail; clear
away lower topmast and topgallant studding-
sails of both sides.''
And away we flew down towards the enemy,
who by this time was lying to in company with
our prize, about ten miles to leeward The
hands were now ordered to clear ship for action
Yards were slung, and the clues stoppered with
chain grapnels carried to the yard arms; shot
passed up and every thing with q rapdity only
gained by constant practice
As my duty had heretofore confined me to the
cockpit when we were in action, felt great
curiosity to see how things went on deck for
once, and accordingly asked leave to remain on
deck until my services were required below
Our Commodore reluctantly consented, but re-
commended me to go into the maintop, where
should be out of the reach of splinters.
We were nearing the enemy fast. The depu-
tatlon to wait on the Captain stood abreast the
mainmast, and were backed by the greater part
Of the crew, some grumbling threats, some swear
ing, some wanting grog, others talking of taking
the vessel; all loud, boisterous, in Short in open
mutiny. The Captain walked stately and COM
posedly into their midst, struck q blow or two
with the flat of his cutlass over the heads and
ears of the ringleaders, who were stunned, and
fell as if dead He then ordered the men to their
stations to shorten sail, and beckoning to me,
said '' Doctor, take these fellows down and ban
dage their heads quickly, and send them up to
me; l shall want their services in about five
''Do you hear, you sirs' If you are not at
your guns in five minutes, you'll hear from me
again. .-.
The wounds were dressed and the men at their
posts in due time. | heard, as / bound up their
wounds, our commanders battle-speech. 1t
came to my ears in superhuman tones, being
shouted through n speaking trumpet made of
very thin silver OF bell-metal, never used except
in actions.
Lads! l am going to take that brig. Now,
mark if you skulk; if you hang back when
call for boarders; if you let the rascally Brazil
ian get foothold on this deck, l put match
to the magazine. Remember! | never yet told
you falsehood, and, as l hope for Gods mercy,
never will.
This was followed by three hearty cheers from
the crew, which had hardly ceased before the
command was given to take in sail, and never
was the order more promptly obeyed. 1t seemed
less than a minute before reached the deck,
when I found all done ;the sails, booms and
gear all down, the fore-hatch and the gratings
laid on.
As l reached the top, the enemy gave broad
side, which would have annihilated our vessel
had it been lower; as it was, it came through
the topsails, literally tearing them clear from
their bolt-ropes. We continu:a our course
again, having yawed to receive the salute, when
he wore, and gave us his larboard battery,
which, like the former, went over without mate
rial damage except to the leg of the captain of
the foretop, which it took away. Of course l
left my exalted station, and that with right
good will, while the wounded man coolly made
IA bowline of the topgallant halliards, and low
cred himself to the deck Iapplied the tourni-
quet on deck, for he would not consent to go be-
low The enemy was wearing ship to give us
the third broadside, when, as he fell off stern
to, we opened, raking with grape and canister,
and as he came to the wind , he had fore-reached,
so that his shot went ahead, and our bow came
abreast his mainmast. Our grapnels secured
him. The marines on the forecastle soon drove
his men from the after division, while ours gave
it, well-told under his quarter. This was but
for moment. He rallied and prepared to board
over our bows we called and repelled -boarders
but his numbers were yet too great to admit of
our following him. Again he rallied and
boarded-got possession Of the bowsprit-rig
and forecastle Our commander-in a white
hat, to distinguish him-was left alone to keep
back the enemy, for the men had fled aft Al
sight of this, he ran aft. took a gun-match as
he passed along, and shouted, g Go forward, fol
your lives, or this goes to the magazine +" =
The men eheered, and, with a rush, droyetht
f,o,,, &In Iapta-oon,o hn In thptr VEG,