Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-07-26

hopes, and then he awaited anxiously and
impatiently the return of Reginald to Port
land. Leaving him to pray for the quick
appearance of the Sea Gull we will fol,
low her commander on his cruize.
After he had left the Prize, he set his
men to work, cleaning the guns, and re-
pairing about the brig. He had sailed
about day and half, in the same course
without falling in with any craft, and was
about to steer for other waters, when all at
once, the always exciting cry at sea of sail
or greeted his ears He happened not
to be on deck, but his then second in COM
mand promptly demanded where away p
''Bout four points baft the beam on our
larboard quarter
what dye make her outY
"A full rugged brig with full compile
ment.of qaep sand thinlx, carries foHsteea
guns, and BY all saints, Long Tom She
is an Englisher, and has just deserted us
and hoisted her bunting
Very well, said Reginald, who had
come on deck, keep a sharp look out, and
report
Soon the boatswain' merry trill sounded
on the brig, for all hands to prepare ship
for action, and in short time that COM
mand was neatly executed On came the
lovely craft, the exact counterpart of the
Sea Gull, with flowing sheets and dauntless
prov. The difference in number Of men
was vast, the English brig carrying nearly
seventy, and the Privateer only twenty
FIVE Both moved through the water in
grand imposing style. WhenWithin mile
of the Yankee brig, light smoke curled
lazily from the bows of the English brig,
and the report of the signal gun to heave
to, was heard on board the Gull. Reginald
however, kept his course, and glass on the
English war vessel.
A desperate and well-managed battle en-
sued, the Yankees commenced boarding the
British Brig.
Then came the desperate encounter. The
balls from the Yankee brig had done but
little damage, and the crew of the Briton
even now numbered more than two to one.
Still the little band of gallant tars conten-
ded against strong odds, and at every stroke
of the deadly cutlass brave Briton went
to his last long home.
But what remarkable similarity is there
between the Privateersman and the Briton ?
Both about the same age, equally we'll
formed and good looking; two noble speci-
mems of mankind as ever trod quarter
deck. The only perceptible difference be-
tween the two was the color of the hair;
that Of young Reginald was of rich, dark
brown, while that of the young English
/ uAan yvG4 DTUOEA-
bravely as lions; and as they crossed blades,
their eyes met once, and both paused and
seemed racked by some intestine emotion.
Twas but for an instant, and again their
, gaze became excited, and they reveled IN
? the mad excitement of battle Their blades
. firmly clutched, struck fire, as every blow
rung out its changing notes. With expan
: ded chests, bodies thrown back and witt
}, supple arm, the two young men gave anC
parried blows in quick succession. The.
n had been engaged some minutes and Meth
? er had gained any vantage ground. Thel
blows we're not as cool now as at first, bu
, were dealt and executed hastily and exc
= tedly. 1t was evident now, that the Ell
: : lishman was losing ground, still he parrie
and thrust with good will. All at once
Ir by making feint, then quick and expel
! ! twist, Reginald sent the brave young Ems
~ lishman's sword, whirling around his hea
T to the deck He was at the mercy of tt
- Young continental, but he refused to tai
Al his life, and was about to present his swol
to him. When suddenly pair of brawr
:, arms were thrown around him and he W
- - borne to the deck Again the melee col
~ menced ten times more fierce and fend-hl
,5e9 than before Harm him not Manning
i, exclaimed the young English Captain, har
,aa him and your life's blood shall be the fc
,rJ feit,' and he plunged again into the thickt
his of the battlep The Yankee Privatee
tho menwere, by now, nearly wornout, and We
bv fast yielding tho fighting bravely for e7
en- ry inch they retreated. Reginald saw
: all with narrowing feelings, but he col
tho not prevent it; he shouted aloud to the
nile and encouraged them on; he strove
,an, break from his bondage, but all to nout
,am he saw his presentiment about to prove tr
axe alas too true. Still the Yankees foug
anJ with determined, unbounding courage,
na twas their last struggle. They saw tt
re- re. numbers being thinned rapidly, and to $
tas on deck of the English brig longer was
md foolishly to court death.
won While they were thus wavering
/, to to faltering, Reginald exclaimed in thun
,iv tones, Ely, my brave men-stay not t
y to be slain-fy, and cast away the g
10 :. nels Tell them in Portland, if you c
20 reach that loved spot, that | was ia
the fighting on the enemy's deck. Go,
lsb all together!' y and even as he spok
eo;- laundering aye, aye, sir, and long
vent Reginald the brave Privateersman, pre-
,ard to him the sympathy and admiration
the his noble crew. They then retreated
omen idly, and some few getting on board, !
nelv ing the others to keep the Englishme
war bay, to cast away the grapnels, and
the the sails, prepared every thing. E
ar in one reached the deck of the privateer
two brave second Lieutenant being the la
,tber leave the enemy's deck. AS soon as
,izon one had gained the privateer's deck
Englishmen with loud execrations So
to pursue them but they were foileC
the grapnels at that moment were ca
under and the Sea Gull being free once
made shot away like the swift arrow fro1
/ soon tightly strung bow and as she sped
rtland her helm was suddenly shifted, and ST