Kenosha tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1855, 1855-02-22

he shouted, Mr.. Mathews, I'll put my head
into bucket of tar and cat it, if that's moi
an English frigate; and before the ten min
utes you'll know it yourself, when you see
the English flag at the peak, and the Jack
at the fore-top 81
AS the captain seemed so perfectly con-
fdent, the champagne corks popped. and
the men had their rum and water, which
they infinitely preferred to wine; or indeed
to spirits of any description. but all kept
their eyes alternately on the frigate; now
fast nearing us, and rolling majestically be-
fore the following seas
Look at herlength, look at her teeth, shout
ed the captain in ecstacy, as the frigate gave
slight yaw on a cross sea-'A forty four
at the least. Thirty-twos and cighteens at
the very least a
Meanwhile the Frenchman showed no
change oftactics unless it was tendency to
go off down to leewaad, her movements be-
tokening suspicion of the big fellow coming
down before the wind, with magnificent
wreath of foam decking his ample bows.
AT length she was within mile, when
she made sudden sweep, and then rushed
around, with her broadsidc to us-backing
her main topsail-letting go her stu 'nsails,
fred gun, and hoisted her colors-French!
Now then, Captain, said Mathews, now
then, what do you say now?'
Before he could answer, the privateer al
SO fired gun, and also hoisted the tri-color.
THE captain had a moments time to take
counsel with himself; and then he gave a
most unexpected jump on the deck, flung up
his straw hat, which blew into the sea, and
exclaimed it's dodge, adodge-hew wants
to bring the privateer closer, so that he be
surer of her.
Mathews shook his head.
AT this moment the frigate fred anoth-
er gun.
No ball. said Mathews, looking rather
disappointed than otherwise.
Then an officer appeared on the chains
in French Uniform.
DO you see that?' said Mathews, all but
triumphantly.
The officer hailed, and the words came
down distinctly on our ears. They were
English.
DO you hear that, Mr.. Mathcws?' retort-
ed the captain.
Schooner, ahoy! Back your fore topsail,
and lay to. under our lce.' The operation
was performed, and the officer hailed again,
What schooner is that?'
The Mary Anne, Of Bristol Numbered
the captain, after waiting for the first cali.
The lieutenant bowed and rejcined--
This is His Britannia Maiesty's Frigate,
Hero. The ship down there is the Jean Bart.
She is too fast for US in chase; but we are
going to try to Tick her today, Haul down
your colors.'
1T was done, and the ensign huttercd from
the peak to the deck. AT the same moment,
the two quarter and the stern boats of the
frigate dropped like feathers into the surg
hand under hand, down the tackles, a cat
aract of blue Jackets.
The frigatc again hailed, Our men will
board you as you were our prize, and
Captain -
'MeLeod!' roared the skipper.
Mcleod resumed the lieutenant, will
be good enough to send on board portion
of his crew, and then as ifhe anticipated an
objection, raising his voice he shouted
there will be no pressing work, upon my
honor We only want to cheat our friend
down yonder the better, by pretending to
take on board prisoners. Our men will stay
aboard you until your own come back 1t
is all right, Captain Mcleod, is it not?'
AYE, aye sir!' responded the skipper, quite
treasured; (which of my ladswillvolunteer?'
Me, and me, and mel bursttro score
Of voices And the next moment the three
cutters dashed their boat-hooks simultane
ously into our lee side, that next the French
man, while the lieutenant and the midship-
mann each, followed by The crew, only eav
inga oat-keeper, scrambledupon our decks.
You were going to fight our friend down
there? hope we can save you the trouble;
but meanwhile '-Jameson, his coxswain,
came up with French ensign-'for once,
Captain, the Mary Ann must carry the tri-
color
No objection, no objection stammered
the skipper, aitho' he clearly didn't like it.
Up, however, went the token of conquest,
the English ensign beneath 1t, and our vol
unteers, carrying empty bags and hammock
less hammock cloths. so as still further TO
deceive the little Frenchman, went over the
side, half of the boats crew remaining on
board with theirthird lieutenant and coup
lie of midshipmen.
Again the boats with the apparent pris-
oners, pulled round the steamers stem and
stern. giving the prisateer full view of
them. The trick took perfectly. The Jean
Bart filled her main topsall and came up.
making small tacks, until we could see her
swarming crew on deck. The interest of the
scene was now growing intense. We could
see stealthy movement in the frigate sails
and as the privateer made her last tack,
which would have carried her clear of the
schooner's bowsprit. the main topsail of the
frigate was suddenly filed. her top-gallant
sails sheeted home, and she started like a
greyhound, gathering away astonishinglv
quick, while, amid the banging OF her bow
chaserst full at the Jean Bart, the French flag
passed the English on the halyards. one de-
scending, the other ascending; and in mo-
ment more, the frigate's bowsprit was en-
tangled in the priyateer's mixedrigging, and
the crash of the meeting ships was heard
amid the rattle of the Hero's musketry. The