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

IdsnlOni IOunu Tue WAIST Uut He OuipHiii
was only, as il were, the bottom Of yes.
EEL, her deck being only two and hall
feet from the waters edge; and her bul.
warks very low, these offered only fee.
bic security 10 the lower limbs only
Of her crew, against the musket balls OF
The enemy. The boarding netting, topped
by chain, was extended on both stiles
from stem to stern, and the mate (who had
been boatswsin in one Of the finest, hard.
fought frigales Of France, and had still a
spice Of his calling) piPed all hands to
quarters, with a silver whistle he carried
in his breast. .l
When the warriors Of the plaid (said
Norman) commence the attack, they are
urged on by The spirit stirring pibroch oI
their clans. recalling TO memory the deeds
Of. their gallant sires land every corps in
the field Of battle is reused to lofty en-.
ihusiasm and daring, by the stormy music
Of the drum, or the martial strains Of the
war horn. But here there was no such
excitement; save the gentle roar Of her
bows. as she cut rapidly through the Sum-
mer sea, the occasional kiss Of sporilVe
wave on her sides, or the nutter Of the
fore leech Of sail on the frequent lull Of
The breeze-saviug these, there was death
like, prophetic silence on board The Dol.
phin. A pin, dropped from the hand,
might have been heard 10 fall upon her
decks. d DO. ......... ..... ......
Some gazed upon their fellows. as If to
say-"Our lives are at stake if captured,
you yard arm will be our gibbel. We
must stand BY each other 10 the last"
was myself seized al this moment with a
feeling for which | scarce know whether
10 credi, my courage or my unacc )unla.
Bile apathy. was certainly very composed,
and carried my passion for observation
on human character, in difficulty and in
danger 10 as great a pitch as if had
been witnessing a melndtama, in which
The same things were represented. ! had
got my marines, about fifteen in number
ranged on tho quarter deck, each with a
musket in bis hand. had examined al
those deadly tubes, and found them to be
chiefly Of the most vil.ainous BirilnghaH
manufdc,ate but there was no r1medv
! Observed the countenances Of the whole
crew. The captain, who was loading biz
blunderbuss, appeared exactly as have
seen him when chalking his queue. Il
play a game of billiards. His dark haze
eye was. indeed, lighted with unusua
brilliancy; but his sunburni and comely
coun,enance was uhmoved, save when, OF
an occasional glance at the black flag o
the enemy, his upper lip seemed 10 curv'
as if in contempt and defiance. lie le''
urely observed The approach Of the enemy
(who was 10 Windward,) and now and ihe'
mildly said IN The helmsman--"Keep he
full, John. Let her walk y The Frenc'
mate was fearless little man. lie watch
ed Ms orders with the eye Of an ca
ale, and looking occasionally en- the enemy
gave vent 10 his feelings by blowing
match he held in his hand, eager for order
to fire the long gun--or uItering a "Sacr
fonnerre de Dieu"
Some | observed with quivering ant
Pallid lip; not, however, the effect oi COW
srdice, as afterwards found. Il was bu
the momentary rush Of the vital fluid Il
the heart-ihe working Of the proud spiri
within, that seemed TO fear nothing hut tn
chance Of dying unavenged for Captain
NJ had about him the indcfnabll
power Of commanding the respec, AM
obedience of his crew and every man o
them felt that his msnhood-slls very sx
istence-was al stake upon the issue Of li
contest. ...
Our second mate, the lrishman. was il
appearance picturesque sort Of being
He was about thirly.eight years Of age
had been captain Of merchant vessel
after serving on board man.oi.war; ant
was, os well from follies as misforlunes.
disappointed and a dsspr rate man. II,
had clear, round and ruddy complexion
and a pro,ruding, drunken looking eye
lie generally wore huge quid Of tobacco
in his cheek, which remained undislurbet
giving his face a bulge. or list, as sailors
would say, to one side; aud this quid h
seldom removed, saving Upon occasions
like the present, when he hove it about OF
The other tack--cmilling, at the same time
a mouthful of very male and gentleman,
oaihs. Though good nalured TO lhos,
whom he knew. il was evident that, in hi
dislikes, there was very lille Of the quail
ties Of mercy;--and, Judging from hi
contempt of danger, and his hatred o
everything like oppression, | never saw
man who more thoroughly represented, tt
my mind, red.hoi lrishman--a disciple o
The renowned Captain Rock one o