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

l"itHIO3I SH'p biC DIiSt H"9 "'N' 49,
hauling us since sunrise. The thing
moves along Ike witch. I've been
watching him for the last hour another
hour, and Monsieur will be pitching bis
old iron into us
Let him come on, rcjoined the COM
mander, cycling the object Of his colloquy
through his telescope. He is too heavy
for US could almost sink our little brig
with broadside. The william certainly
is coming down, and gaining each moment
upon US. lie must be hungry for the
| fight
Yes, replied the other, 1 expect he is
thinking about Ia gioire. certainly
hardly thought any Frenchman in these
seas could show the Rover the way be-
fore.' remarked Capt. Buntine.
Here Bobstay,' said the commander
to an old quartermaster, take the glass
and see whatyou can make of her.
After scanning the vessel for a short
time with an eye proverJial forts acute
ness and experience, the old man return
ed the glass TO his captain, ut IAe same
time touching his hat.
It's my opinion, sir, that she's an
American which Jonathan has sold TO
them Frcnchmen. She's rugged and Gu.
out in true seamcn's syle, and that's a
style them frog-eaters never will learn --
She carries eighteen guns, sir, and Is
chock.fuil of men; but we Il show them
what We can do, if she comes alongside ;
GO to your duty, Bobstay, said the
captain, good-humoredly smiling at this
unusually long speech OF The old sailor
1T twelve clock the French brig was
now some six or seven miles in advance
Of her two companions, and not more
than two in the rear of the chase. Al
though Capt. Buntline had de;crmin,
ed on fighting her. he still continued un-
der press Of sail, for the purpose of
drawing his adversary to such distanc
from his companions as to preclude the
possibility of their interference in the en-
gagcmcnt. Another hour, however, bro t
the Frenchman within gun-shot, who, de-
termning to secure every advantage, put
his helm down, and bringing his broad
side to bear, fired into the sui retreating
Rover. Itwas not until thatmomenC that
Buntline could ascertain the exact force
of his antagonist but he was now con.
yinced of his immcasurable superiority
and weight Of metal.
Take in the light sails and haul up the
courses, said the commander of the pri,
water, and another moment beheId the
brig moving along under her topsailS.-
Beat to quarters, and open the maya
zines.
'Ay, ay, sir was the reply and the
loud roll Of the drum was heard sum
moning every man from the depth and
heightS of tie vessel TO their respective
stations.
In a few moments, the order to cas-.
loose the guns followed, and the sailors
commenced getting the iron monsters rea-
DIV for the work of death with an aIacrlty
and good humor peculiar to a seamen,
and with an expedition and regularity
that were the result of much previous ex-
perience in like matters.
Everything was prepared for the atlrIay
Cu1asses, pistols, and boarding-plke
were placed in convenient situations about
the decks the ports and hatches closed,
with the exception of a small opening left
for the purpose of passing powder from
below, matches burned by the side of eve.
ry gun, and in short every preparation
was made that was expedicnt
The Frenshman had not yet taken in
any canvass, and was consequently near
inc the Rover. 1t was the mutual desire
of the commanders that their vessels
should be brought into close action-the
Frenchman, from a wish to decide the
contest before the two other vessels could
come up, and thereby rob him of his an
ticipated glory, and the nglishman from
a knowledge that his escape depended up.
on his disabling the only vessel that was
his superior in sailing.
At length but quarter of mile IN
tcrycncd between the ships, and the
Frenchman began handling his light sails,
which were soon taken in and the pursuer
appeared nearly under the same canvas
as the chased.
'Starboard = shouted Buntline to the
man at the wheel, as he beheld the bows
of bis adversary sweep gracefully port
'Starboard, sir, answered the quarter
master; and the Rover's broadside was
brought parallel to that Of his opponent
while at the same time the Union Jack of
! England assembled with graceful hutter
+ TO her mast head. A volume of smoke
and flame burst from the bulwarks of the
French vessel and shots crashed tearluIIy
through the sparS and rsgn OF the pH-
yateer
Although Captain Buntline's man@u
yre prevented his vessel from being raked
! by the fire of his adversary, it could not
avert entirely its destruction; and to his
sorrow he Dehcld his main tOpImast' with
Its attendant spars, 60 by the board :.
A deep shade settled on his brow at tins
unexpected calamity, and the blank OF
doubt and uncertainty, grew upon his
features. The success of his enemy $
fire had completely destroyed his plan OF
operation, and he stood upon the quarter
deck of his ship in painful reflection as to
his future course.
This suspense was but momentary
A thought dawned upon his mind, and ap-
plying the trumpet to his mouth, he gave
the order to the inpatient seamen not to