The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-08-10

and the Dolphin was doomed never to
reach the por. Of her destination.
On the afternoon Of the following day,
we saw brig 10 windward of US which
we at first took to be . British merchant.
man, running westward under. full sail.
As soon, il appeared, as she observed us,
she rapidly took in her Sludding safs, and
hauled her wind, evidently to intercept us
before she got too far 10, leeward. When
she rounded TO, we could distinctly OBJ
serve her rig and her build, and TO tell
The truth, did not half "like The look Of
her." She was long, low, black, sharp
built, suspicious looking vessel, Of nearly
twice our tonnage, with sails Of extraordi-
nary breadth. Her mssIs rakcd go much,
that plummet dropped from the main
top.gallant masthead, would, probably,
have fallen clear Of her stern. She was,
indeed, rakish looking craft. altogether,
showing six large portfolios at side,
painted inside with red; and she had,
moreover, a wicked way Of her own (ike
our schooner, indeed Of dashing over 1t
or through it, like q dart from bow,
without making much noise about the
nose, or leaving whirlpool in her wake
Her decks, too, seemed TO be covered with
men. There was fresh Top gallant breeze;
and we put about on The starboard tack, in
hopes she would bear away on her course,
or that we might got the weather gage Of
her. She might be an enemy, and Id such
a case, with us, al least, "the b:ittt par,
Of courage was discretion"
| We no sooner lacked, Than the brig luiI-
ed up IN The wind, 10 bring gun 10 bear
upon us; and,- the next moment, shot
from her carried away our dolphin striker;
and she showed The Spanish flag at the
peak, and black Gag, with deaths
head and marrow.bOnes painted upon it.
at the main.
Captain NJ, who was sitting, in his
shirt sleeves, on the talfrail, coolly smo
king cigar, beckoned me TO him, and
whispered 10 me, that from the description
he had heard, he was certain that she was
the brig recently fitted Out at 81. Johns,
Puerto Rico, for the express purpose Of
taking him,-dead or alire,-and that the
Spanish merchants. he had learned, had
set price upon his head. Placing his
finger on his lips, as il to say. "utler not
a word 10 dispirit my crew." He put on hi,
naval Jacket. TO the breast Of which was
appended gold medal and, observing
the brig, which was a little to windward,
gaining gradually upon us, he called 10
the man at the helm, who had jammed
the schooner close to the wind, keep her
full! John. keep her full and if we can't
run, we can fight"
Leaping, at bound, upon the top Of
the companion way, with telescope in
his hand, he thus (whle he hoistcd the
Columbian flag, with his own hands, at the
pique) addressed his officers and men -
These Spaniards sOcin determined 10
find of what stuff we are made; and we
musI show them, my lads ! that though
they wrongiully brand US with the name
Of rapacious plunderers, we can fight,
when occasion demands, for the honor aud
independence of Columbia, without hope
Of any other prize than the shattered and
empty bulk Of The encmy's ship. Unken-
mel the bulldog, my Boys! (he added,
pointing 10 the great gdh, which was COW
cred by boat give him good allowance
Of powder, and double shot, and clear
the deck for action. You, Norman! shall
to-day be captain Of marines. Be handy,
brave hearts! she is nearing US fasl!"
The long gun was quickly uncovered
and % ,ded, The four carronades were
also prepared; and the gunners stood by,
with their matches in readiness. Fifty
stand Of arms we're loaded and primed.
Every man was armed with cullass, and
many carried brace Of loaded pistols in
their belts.
could no, al first, reconcile this san
culinary preparation with notions of hu.
nanily or propiiety, but when reflected
that, in this instance, battle was compul.
sorry, and that The engagement would vir-
lually be as one between two belligereni
men of.war, not as an attack Of a privaleer
on a helpless merchantmen in hope ol
booty, my scnples we're allayed; and tho
| felt, for a moment, somewhat dashed
by the contemplation Of a bn tie with
force apparently so superior, ! regained
my self confidence, and awaited the result
with calnness for which | cannot yet
account.
The crew of the Dolphin we're Of a mot.
ley descriplion--us regards both color and
country. They consisted Of nineteen Co.
lumbians, the greater part Of whom were
colored men; seven natives Of the United
States, several OF whom had been shippers,
and were accepted as prize masters, and
onu q black ; two Erslish sailors, who had
left merchantman al Carlhogena Tor wha;
they called "cruel usage" little thick
set Frenchman. the first officer, or mate,
who was the captains principal confdan,;
an lrishman, who was second officer; a
fine African Negro, the captains steward
and servant; aud Mula,io boy. There
was also on board youth Of color, ma.
tive Of Jamaica. lie, like myself, was
only passenger; but having studied un.
der a surgeon and apohecary Tor some
years, he volunteered to act 10 The best Of
his capacity as surgeon. Capt. NJ,
Who Was good linguist, (aud who would
probably have shone in polished society 10
On accomplished many gave his orders III
English, Freneh; and Spanish alternately
as be thought he lAnhest understood
'sy ~, 's,; sGl'.... C y & '@%:a, sS:n,
however, undet ~ NJ languages