The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-11-16

ID4'll1' I'Ct bIIb ItpD5'N " hlIb3 obN l0fN
Sprang forward to execute his order,
with an alscr,ty that was itself under
such circumstances, a proud euIogIuu
upon the bravery and judgment Of thcIr
commander.
The brig was again pu, before the wind
more canvass spread, and the Rover once
more Ike bird shaking and smoothing
It's rufiled feathers, resumed the course
she had steered during the morning.
A wild and exuIted huzza arose on the
deck Of their antagonist as the privateer
flied away, and made sail without firing
a gun; but the scorniul smile that CURED
upon the lip, Of the young captain ndi-
Gated that all was not to be exactly as
appearances indicated, and impaired.
confidence to his anxious seamen. His
character for bravery was too well e,tab-
Iishcd TO be doubted by them, and they
only sood impatient to hear The next or.
der that might be issued.
Tine crapauls shah have less cause
for merimcEt before nigtllaii,' mullered
the captain, as another shout came from
his foe, who was now crowding all sell in
chase.
Muster aft my men-tumb,e aft, here
every one Of you. Come down from
a!oIl and up from below BoatswaiIs
mate, send the people ait
My lads, said Capt. Bunt,ine, ad
dressing bis hundred bold followers, 1t is
fit that you should be acquainted with the
Iacl OF my being the bearer o. an impor.
tanl government despatch 70 the English
Admiral oil the West India station, which,
my men, is Of vital importance TO the IN
terests Of our country. do not tell ou
this TO stimulate you 10 any greater exer
ti0ns, but merely as rcciprocation OF
that confidence which am proud 10 be
Iieve you repose in me. ! know you will
stand by me 10 the last--l have Tested it,.
Ia tae present disabled state Of the Ro-
yer ii win be impossible 10 escape from
the ships in pursuit Of Us; but, my lads. |
have plan to propose, the successful
execution Of which will crown us with
glory and success. Listen u it,
The plan wastbeh revealed, and when
their captain had. done speaking, three
hearty cheers eyinced the readiness with
which the crew entered into it, and how
much it accorded with their own views
and feelings
Men resumed the yoO0g captain,
elated with the ready. response, OF the
sailors, the signal willbe Old England,
and when | give it, let every one of you
do as | have directed Now, my lads,
don't forget, odd England!'
GrooPs of men were pow seen'spiking
the cannon fore and aft, SO as to render
them perfectly useless. Ftis piaskeis
were all thrown overheard, and the pow
der, with the exception Of what each man
carried about him, totally destroyed; this
done, the crew armed themselves, and
mustering aft, awaited the urlher orders
OF their commander. In The meantime
the Frencbman was. rapidly advancing,
with the intention Of carrying the prya
teer by boarding He was now ten yards
as,ern, and,aserS momenl gaining on the
Rover. B1Tsieg stood Watching him as
the tiger does'his. ptey, scarcely breath
ing in the intensity Of his interest, and
a aiting with a'Painhnl suspense the mo
ment when he might put his daring
scheme into execution. The whistle Of
the Frenchman's boatswain's mate was
heard, and the hoarse cry which followed
conveyed 10 The experienced ears Of the
priyateer's men that preparations were
making for boarding.
The young captain cast a quick and
anxious glance upon his seanlen. who
stood graspng there cutlasses with an
emotion as intense as his own. II was a
moment Of fearful excitement on board
either vessel, during which nothing was
heard but the ripple water as they sped
along At length the dark shadows OF
the Frenchman's canvass fell upon the
decks Of the Royer-another minute and
they were yardarm and yardarn.
Sheer to- whispered BunIine to the
man at the wheel.
The bows of the privateer slightly de-
waited, and her antagonist was within
three yards OF her. CIank went the Crap
ples of the Freuchman, and both vessels
we're brough! broadsjde to broadsde.
En- arqnt,' shouted the French Cap
tain. and two thirds of his crew immedi'
ately sprang over the buIwarks and on
the deck Of the Rover without the slight
est resistance BunlIine gave one glance
at the dark forms OF the foremen that
crowded the torecastle, and applying Dhr
trumpet to his mouth Numbered forth the
words Oh England.
In an instant the Englshmen who had
gathered abat the mainmast. leaped up.
on the hammock netings, and sprang
into the rigging Of the Frenchman. Like
"A torrent they swept away the few th"t
were left to oppose them, and now rang
ing ttemsevers along the buIworks, they
pr epared 10 repel The enemy as they at
tempted to regain their own ship.
Cast off the grapnels!' shouted Cap
tain Buntline, and the rapid execution OF
that command seemed first TO awake the
the enemy from the stupor Of amazement
into which they were thrown by the sud
den and singular movement OF their op'
ponents.
They mounted the bulworks, and en-
deavored 10 regain their own vessel, bul
they were everywhere met by opposing
cullaSses. In vain they pressed, in vain
they lhronged-they were driven back
~ ID -. L onl.. ~ nanrN mimi or