Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-04-25

booms, and the Rover once more resumed
the course she had steered during the
morning. A wild and exulting huzza
came down from the Englishman, as her
antagonist filed away and made sail,
without firing gun; but the scornful
smile that curled the lip of Buntline,
indicated too well the deception of appear
ances, and impaired stronger confidence
in the breast of lis seamen. His char
acter for bravery was too well established
to be doubted by them, and they only
stood impatient to hear the next order
that should issue from his trumpet.
The dogs shall have less cause for mer-
riment before nisntfaif. muttersd Bunt-
line, as another shout came down from
the Englishman, who had also filled away,
and was now crowding all sail in. Mus
ter aft here, my men; tumble aft here,
every one of you come down from aloft,
and up from below bo'sen's mate send
the people aft
MY lads,' said Buntline, addressing
his hundred bold followers, it is fit that
you should be acquainted with the fact
of my being the bearer of a message from
the French Admiral of the West India
station, to the government of the United
States, which, my men, is of vital impor
tance to the interest of the country. l
do not tell you this to stimulate you to
any greater exertion, but merely as a
reciprocation of that confidence which
am proud to believe you repose. know
you will stand by me to the last-I have
tested it. In the present disabled state
of the Rover it will be impossible to
escape from yonder squadron, now rap
idly overhauling us; but, my lads, have
a plan to propose, the successful execu
ton of which will crown us with glory
and success. Listen to it.
The plan was then revealed; and when
Buntline had done speaking, three hearty
cheers evinced the readiness with which
the crew entered into it.
Men, resumed Buntline, the signal
will be Liberty! and when l give it forth,
let every one of you do as / have directed;
now my lads, don't forget the word Lib
erty.'
Groups of men were now seen spiking
the cannon for and aft, SO as to render
them perfectly useless. The muskets
were all thrown overheard, and the pow
der, with the exception of what each man
carried about him, totally destroyed; this
done the crew armed themselves, and
mastering aft, awaited the further orders
of their commander.
In the mean time the Englishman was
rapidly advancing to board the American.
He was not ten yards astern, and at every
moment gained on the Rover. Buntline
stood watching him, as the tiger does his
prey, scarcely breathing in the intensity
of his interest, and awaiting with pain
ful suspense the moment when he might
put his daring scheme into operation.
The whistle of bo'sen's mate was heard
on the deck of the Englishman, and the
cry of Away, borders, away!' told
their opponents how to expect them.
Buntline cast quick and anxious glance
upon his own seamen, who stood grasp
ing their cutlasses with an emotion as
intense as his own. II was moment of
fearful excitement on board of either yes
sci, during which nothing was heard but
the ripple of the water as they sped
along. AT length the dark shadow of the
Briton's canvass fell upon the deck of the
Rover; another minute and they were
yard arm and yard-arm.
Sheer tool whispered Buntline to
the man at the wheel sheer too i The
bows of the vessels slightly deviated.
and her antagonist was within three yards
of her. Clank went the grapnels of the
Englishman, and both vessels were
brought broadside and broadside.
Board shouted the British captain;
and two-thirds of his crew sprang over
the bulwarks and upon the decks of the
Rover without the slightest opposition
Buntline gave one glance at the dark
forms of the foemen that crowded his
forecastle; and applying the trumpet to
his mouth, thundered forth the word
Liberty!' In an instant, the Americans
who had gathered abaft the main mast
leaped upon the hammocks and nettings,
and sprang like so many cats upon the
decks and in the rigging of the English
man. Like torrent they swept away
the foe who had remained on board of
har opI ,o,x, Al.