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

like fiddle strings, the Ice scupper hoies
buzzing in the fosming water, the schooner
making gallant way.
For more than an hour there was silence
in the ship. Captain Macleod and Mr. Mat
thews stood on each side of the wheel, keep
ing the craft, which was really behaving
very well, as near the wind as was consis-
tent with the absence of the slightest SILVER
in the windward tack of the fore topsail.-
During this pause we had time to consider
our situation. Of all the priyateers sent
out by France, La Belle Poule. ultimately
captured by the Black Joke, and the Jean
Bart, we're the most famed for their sue
cesses, and the most notorious for plunder-
ing to the skin their unfortunate prisoners.
However, there was one comfort, had
nothing to lose but few dollars, colonial
currency, my uniform, and some light West
Indian clothing; and thought struck me
to put on The uniform, as | had heard that
even French privateers respected the red
coat of an English officer. Putting the idea
into practice, to the great astonishment of
all on board, appeared on deck in a full
uniform of a lieutenant of his MaJesty's "a
West Indian Regiment. m
Looking around l saw that the privateer
was rapidly oyerhaullng US, and that the
captain was preparing for action. He had
eight humping canonades on board, and
long eighteen on a swivel fixed into the
heel of the bowsprit, and which was the ap-
! pie of the captains eye. aaama
| The crew-thirty stout fellows-for the
Mary Anne was double manned-stripped
| to the waists and barefooted, were getting
out the guns on the starboard side; the lar
board carronades were obliged TO be made
fast to ringbolts to prevent their diving over
board, while the starhoard or windward
carronades had their noses cooked up to the
zenith. Two men at every gun were equip
ped with big snip pistols and cu'lasses,-
while boarding tomahawks and pixies were
placed handy. Long Tom had special
crew. and every gun was loaded with
double charge of grape.
For says the skipper, 1 stand no nom
sense; the French like long shots, like
muzzle to muzzle. That's my way!
The privatecr was now within about five
miles 10 the leeward. She was certainly
beautiful craft; long, low, and sneaking,
with the characteristic hoists in her topsails
and the masts, particularly the mizen,
raking tremendously. She carried only top
sail and gallant sails, mizen and fore-stay
sail as if in sccrr of our packet canvass
and rose and fell on the long sea, with
grace that was all her own. Our poor Ma
ry Anne, good ship in her way as she was,
half buried herself every time she plunged
at a curling swell The Jean Bart also held
a closer wind; and it was evident that there
was nothing for it but the old formula of
command: Now, men, you see the enc
my; lay your guns and point them well.
Fire fast and fire true, and hurrah for Old
England
1 Meanwhile. my fellow passengers were
in the cabin bu silly engaged in writing -
Mr.. Dargle's face was very pale. Mosca's
black eyes glittered, and he was so nervous
that he could hardly hold the pen. He was
armed to the teeth and evidently determin-
cd, as he had often said, not TO be taken
alive. | was beginning to contrast my po-
sition, with only driblct of half pay to de-
pend, with Mr. Dargle's, the rich proprie-
tor of half-a-dozen plantations, the husband
of fond, beautiful wife, and the father Of
family of sprightly little Creoles. Twas
watching his face, as from time to time
spasmlike culver went across it, and his
hand stole to his eyes, when the family
heard boom of a heavy gun came up from
the privateer; and at the same moment
our mast head look out, sang sharp and
quick:
a sail to windward!'
What like?' shouted the skipper.
She looks like big frigate, was the re-
ply. She's got stunsails on both sides, and
she's coming down before the wind like a
race horse
Again the captains telescope was in re-
QUESTION: and every eye was directed to the
wind ward ship, the topsail of which could
be seen from the deck, when she rose upon
sea. She is frigate; and if know any
thing of a frigate, she's one OF the right
sort. know it by the topsailS- and in
half an hour, my boys, you'llsee St. Georges
Ensign
The old fellow ratified down the shrouds
With singular velocity.
Have up two bottles of champagne he
/ shouted. and steward serve all the crew
round with double stiff ratio of grog.
But the first mate did not seem so conf
dent. He had also narrowly examined the
coming ship so far as it could yet be seen
and was likewise an old and experienced
seaman He shook his head. There's a
lot of French frigates, wonderfully like En-
clish ones, he said. and some of them as
| heard tell have topsails cut English fash
ion, to cheat the merchant ships
Il don't know, captain. but | think it
would be most prudent not to take sail off
the schooner.
For Mathews had seen the shippers
fingers fidgeting with the maintop gallant
r sail hal-yards.'
: Well, Mathews, he said. we'll compose.
Well make short boards instead oflong.
Wen lose ground by that, Capt. Mac
| leod.'
We'll, but so will the tohny Crapaud,
every time we tack, and don t want to ore,
out of the way of my friend to windard.
so presently up went the head of tn e
/ Mary Anne into the wind, and round she
= J ~, tl,a thor tn IL