Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-02-27


es. She was heavily armed, and seem
ed to play about in the water as thougl
her heels were made for running.
Now Capt. Enoch Nightingale haG
said very little about the various projects
that had been set on foot with regard tc
the privateering expedition, but he had
thought a great deal, and as soon as hi'
son accommodated the above intelligence
his thoughts came to focus. A plan o
operation was clearly marked out in his
mind, and he at once sat about the worl
of putting it into effect.
The man who stood second to Cap
tain Nightingale, mate, was Jabe Has.
kins.
"Jabe.' said the captain, edo you
know there is British clipper just out
side ?"
eyes"
"Well, s'pOse we go and take her ?''
"Take that Englishman."
W.h-e-w %
"But Pm in earnest"
Jabe looked at Nightingale with the ut
most astonisbment.
" | can go out in my little Rhody and
take her before she knows where she is.
Now will you help me -
"I'll foller yer, captain, eff you go few
thunder" was Jabe's hearty response,
as he saw the old man was in earnest.
Captain Nightingale took his mate by
the arm, and led him of. The night
was dark, but still there was a busy
scene on board the schooner, Rhody,
which was the heaviest fishing vessel in
the place. Torches were cleaning to
and fro all night long, hammers and
saws were sending forth their music, and
when the morning dawned the Rhody
was ready for sea, the old iron signal gun
was hoisted opboard, and placed on a
rude sort of carriage midships, the cop
line buckets and bait boxes had been
cleared away, and take her all in all, she
bore some faint resemblance to an embryo
pirate or privateer.
She was managed by twelve men, of
whom Jabe Haskins took command. The
people wondered where Captain Night
ingale was, but Jabe set their hearts at
rest by telling them he would get out
side as soon as the schooner did.
In an hour after daylight the Rhody
hove up her anchor and made sail, and
in less than five hours she poked her
blunt nose into the waters of the blue
Atlantic. Shortly after the schooner had
passed White Head light, the English
man was made out about two miles dis.
tant TO the south'rd and west'rd, Just off
the Ledges. and hauling bis sheets aft,
Jabe brought his vessel up to the sheets
wind, which was fresh from north'rd and
east'rd, and stood off towards the latter
point. This looked like trying to run
away-at least SO the Englishman
LhOught-and consequently the clipper
was Immediately put in full chase. and
though she was somewhat to the lee
ward, sill it was evident that she would I
no be long in overhauling the Yam
zee.
About fcur o'clock in the afternoon the
came almost within hailing
distance, and fred gun. AS the shot
came whizzing over the Fisherman IS deck,
Jabe Haskins at once hove to, and ere
Ong the clipper came up.
Schooner ahoy ?"
"Hellow % returned Jabe.
"Do you surrender %
oval, eff you want 10 take us, s'pose
can't help myself
The clipper hove her fore-top sail TO
he mast and lowered boat and in some
i've minutes afterwards her commander,
ollowed by fifteen men, came over the
fankee's side. The first object that met
lis gaze as he stepped upon the deck,
vas the small gun amidships, and though
he thought of an American pirate made
lim feel sore, yet he could not help
aughing at the almost ridiculous scene
hus presented to his gaze. The twelve
yreen looking fishermen together with
hat gun, did present rather ludicrous
appearance.
=" So you are on a piratical expedi-
ion 90 tauntingly remarked the British
,ficer.
81 dono," returned Jabe with an Of
ended air, 81 s'pose if Id come across
ne Of your crafts at l could have took l
hould have done it; but dono as should
'een a pirating anne more'n yeou are
ow." I
GLOW many men have ycu got ?''
"Here's twelve on us, an eff yeou've
OF twelve at ken lick us, I'd like to see 1
.m."
"Neyer mind that, Jonathan. Well
Ike you into Halifax, and there, perhaps,
GU will find your match"
The schooner was searched fore and
#, but all that could be found we're a
oxen old pistols. and about as many
words, which were in the cabin, while I
the hold they discovered nothing but !