The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-12-05

more and mOr. impatient Jus, as ,hc
boats were clusing tor heif final da-h, a
weii directed shol from tho old grumber
stove one Of them, and thew the whole iu-
to momentary disorder, for they were
obliged to stop and pick up their men,
They, however, soon rallied, and calamity
came upon Us. II was only when they
were within short musket-shoi, tina, the
captain gave The command 10 fire. The
shock which followed made the bris irem-
BILE 10 her keel. and, in the density OF the
smoke, we could not Immediately observe
the efIec, Of our bToad.side.
"The men at once seized their mu.ke's,
and kept up an mcessanl fire, while the gun
upon the ioreclstle continued 10 belch forth
lis charges OF grape and canister alnos,
upon the heads OF the boaIders Not a man
Of hem placed hts foo, upon our deck. In
the onset, score, perhaps, showed their
powder-burn, vsages mon the bow-sprit,
bu' were speedily hurled into the sea. o.
casionally few hands would appear above
the rails, bL, these vanished in moment.
"ln shot time. the efforts OF The enemy
altogether ceased and, as the smoke
cleared up, the view was truly sickenng.
The sea directly around Us seemed tinted
to hue Of blood, aud alive with human
forms, struggling To regain their boats, two
OF which only remained, and these contained
hears Of the wounded and dead mingled
promi,cuously together Our captain launch
ed his yawl a, once aud, with generosi-
" truly American, was as active in Iescu-
ins those brave but unfortunate men, as u
few moments before, he was in destroying
them.
"Ths lieuenan, who commanded the cx-
petition thanked him warmly for their kind.
ness, but seemed puzzled whether to con-
slider himself prisoner or otherwise. He
was assured, however, tina, he was at liber-
ty 10 60 in peace with the remnant Of his
command; andthe captain offered him the
yawl, IN order TO give The wounded more
room and comfort, which was gratefully
accepted.
"'Blas. nv topligh,s IL I can hold my
tongue any Ongerp exclaimed an old tar,
whose shattered arm hung helplessIy from
his shoulder; You are true sailor, sir,
from your truck down, under whatsomeyer,
Glg YOU snil, aud | hold any man liar Tia,
goes for 10 controveIt my words. 1t is no
strange matter that your men fight so like
devils, when they have such u command
err
"'Your boat shall be sent back. sir, MI.
der ilag, said the lieutenant, waving an
adieu as they rowed oif-morc like Guue'al
procession, than The Spiri;ed boarders which
had so brayely assai.cI Us not hall hour
previous.
"When our crew was mustered. strange
as it may appear, only Two had been killed,
and seven wounded.
"EIld there been breath Of wind we
should have eud,ayorcl to claw of, boa, or
no boat; for however grateful the men might,
feel, We did not care about trusting our
brig too implicitly 10 the GOO nature OF
their commander whom we had despoiled
oil the better part Of his crew; although in
mis- prescn, crippled state. we lid nj, fear
even his superior armlmen'. Yet the cap
tain united prudence with his bravery, and
/, wa, his invariablc rule never 10 rccklessly
cxp,s Sc either his men or vessel.
THE yawl was returned, with message
from the commander Of the sloop, express
Ing hi, thanks for the generosity displayed;
but, Mt the same time, stating tina, the duty
he owed 10 ms king would compel him To
max, an attempt to wipe ont the disgrace
he bod suffered, as soon a. the wind would
give him an opportunity for action.
~ breeze favored Us at last and we soon
showed the sloop hat he was not match
for US in speed. BY sunset we LEFT him,
hull down, and completely lost sight Of him
on the following morning. We shaped our
course for home, 10 land our prisoners, and
for repairs, where we arrived withOu, fur
lher adventures. Such Vas the short cruise
Of the Daring
IL have finished my yarn" said the cap
tain, drawing long breath, "aud it is on-
Is an illustration Of the ave hearts that
fought lor their country. and who, by the
ignorant, are thought but little better than
piutes n-TIue EdO,