Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-02
oop, giving orders, almost beside himself with

L
HiIlo, signal quarter MASTER" said he, I" we
won't nince matters! sent up our black ensign al
the main. Well give Johnny Bull a target for his
shot,"
The words were scarcely out OF his mouth when
a storm of iron rushed past US, and looking aslern
we saw that The liner, having slipped her cables
and fired broadside, was coming alter US, making
all sail
avery good oysters" said Seymour, with gr
mace that baboon might have envied. I" M Gar
net, poke at him with our stern chasers, and make
him candidate for eternity while | try my hand
al guessing with these fellows ahead"
| We accordingly bIazed away with our stern
chasers TO njure him if possible, and cover our
selves with smoke. We soon reached the mouth
of the bay, and just before we passed The points
which would bring US within range of The irigaes
Seymour sang out: .....
Man both batteries s'raish, as you 60, quar-
Ter MASTER"
We passed the capes, steering right on for the
reet which, as have already mentioned ran
across The mouth oflhe bay-as soon as our guns
came 10 bear, we gave each frigae broadside,
and ou. aim being lrue and The guns double shol.
ted they made crashing. They reserved their
hre, thinking that we should be obliged to pass
near TO one or The other, and they would then give
= il 10 US soundly.
We continued our fire; and Seymour, standing
upon The poop, began 10 Gun the brig himself; and
although The smoke was so dense that we could no,
see iaihom, gave his orders as promptly as if it
were clear day and plain channel.
" Blaze away, my lads, said he, "we'll do John
ny Bull all can"
An instant alter he sung out
"Knock off firing Hold on everybody |"
The order was obeyed, and The next instant we
struck heavily on the rect.
every good, j" said Seymour, "once more, you
beauty"
We struck again, and then slipped over the reef
into deep water.
"All hands cheer ship" he shouted.
We se:L up The English ensign at the fore, gave
II three cheers: and went on course under all
sail. The English could no, follow us over The
reef, as they drew 10 much water; but they slipped
their cables fired their broasides a, US in spite and
then STOOD through the channel; but before thew
were clear Of it, we were hull down in the south.
west.
Take it as whole, our escape was really mas
,erpiece OF daring and nautical skill II required
the mind 10 conceive The plan of running past a
line Of battle ship in broad dayigh and in such
channel and ndonirabe resolution 10 put ,ha, plan
into effect for had we been discovered t,ro minute,
sooner, one broadside would have totally annhiat.
ed US. The attempt was made when The English
plped 10 dinner and grog, because they would
naturally be Eemiss in their look oul al this time
thinking more OF The grog.tub than of US Ham.
mocks were pped down because Seymour knew
that the liners main deckers would JUS, sweep The
netting Yards were braced sharp because il
square they would lock in the Englishman's zig
ging Boats wero slowed amidships because there
was no room for them quarter Guns were run
in for the same reason; and after crossing the bay,
he s'eefed over tie reef, knowing that there was
one place where We should touch-and 90 without
injury. Such seamanshp deserved success-what.
ever was the cause-and obtained it for at sunset
we were clear of land, and the English feet was
out Of sight asiern.
" Mr.. Garnet" said Seymour, as soon as ii was
dark, we'll haul our wind and stand southeast for
the land because | have no idea OF goirg' 10
Brazil hafoaded"
We altered our course accordingly and stool for
The shore. The former part of The night was quite
dark, but about iour bells in the mid. watch clear.
ed up a linls. was accidentally on deck at the
time, and, sweeping the horizon with my night
glass, discovered a strange sail on The slarboard
bow, distant about three miles. Reporting il to
Seymour, received orders 10 chase, and putting
nm ho hol nj
her as last as sx-knot breeze would carry US
The stranger pefcevng US, made all sail TO escape
but ii was in vain--ior at daylight we were within
half mile. She was evidently Guineaman,
being long low, suspicious looking schooner, and
we ranged up within pistol shot without firing |
gun, so that could not break any OF her croekerv
and ordered her captain 10 come on board He |
came accordingly, ant Seymour, receiving him on
the quaier-deck, being moved by yirluous ndigna.
lion no doubt: began to read him furious lecture |
on The enoTmies OF The slave trade.
"Why," said he, in asonishmen,, pointing to
The woody Paies lying abou, our decks, you are a
siaver, loo."
but Seymour only leclured The harder, and
wound up as regular bull, preachmenl as any
chaplain ever spun, by ordering him, at his peril |
TO send all his slaves on board Of US instantly He
did not dare TO dsobey and, when the transfer
was completed, Seymour quietly said to him.
Now, sir, you may 60 back 10 Africa, and get
as many more as you like, fer these just complete
my cargo There, Mr.. Garnet" he con,inued as
we filled and stood away to the westward, that's
what we savers call borrorng"
Having nothing nos 10 deiain us, we cracked
away merrily for The sou,h'ard and wesl'.
ara, and about noon OF The eighteenth day after
leaving the coast OF Guinea, The lookout alofi re
ported sail on the sarboard bow The wind