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


bespeak her a privateer; indeed, were that
good looking fellow, who had just laid
down the trumpet and taken up the spy
glass, attired in uniform, the brig might
easily be mistaken for national vessel.
She differs from one in no other particular.
Six beautiful long guns protrude from
either side, while heavier one revolves
in circle amidships. The decks tell
tales of holy stone and sand, and the
neatness everywhere apparent, indicates
the reign of discipline. A row of bright
boarding pixies, are confined to the main
boom by gaskets of white line, while a
quantity of cutlassss and battle axes gilt
ter in the beckets that are fixed purposely
for their reception in the intermediate
spaces of the battery. Racks Of round
shot frown from beneath each gun car
riage, and boxes of grape and canister,
with an attendant match-tub, are arranged
at regular intervals along the deck. Every
belaying-pin is bright, and the brass work
of the wheel and binnacles show in ele-
giant and rich contrast with the mahogany
of which they are constructed. And
mark the gay, healthy fronts pieces of
the sturdy tars who line the decks-a
noble set of fellows, seamen as well as
officers. Observe that veteran how
respectfully he touched his hat, as the
commander ascended from the cabin,
and what an elegant looking man is Cap
tain Bundine-so tall, and yet so grace
full; SO majestic, and yet so preposseessing.
I like those black whiskers they set off
his complexion to admiration. His coun
tenance, it is true, is somewhat stern, but
it is not repulsive expression; it savors
more of dignity; and the jet black eye |!
mark how it flashes, as he sends his gaze
aloft, to ascertain if all there is right.
See! he is addressing the young man
with the glass, who is his first lieutenant,
and at present, officer of the deck. He
smiles; did you ever see mans counte-
nance undergo SO complete a change
All that sternness has vanished, and his
features are beautifully animated.
DO we leave them, Mr.. Tunnel? Those
rearmost ships appear to be almost hull
down.
Yes, sir, they are poor sailors, an
swered the lieutenant; but there's brig
among 'em that has been overhauling us
since sunrise. The fellow moves along
like witch. I've been watching him for
the last hour, and have seen him pass
every vessel in the squadron; another
hour, and the varmint will be pitching
his cold iron into U.S.
Let him come on rejoined the COM
mander, eyeing the object of the colloquy
through the telescope, we could match
with two of them but you are correct,
the villain is coming down, wing-and
wing, and gaining each moment upon us.
He must be hungry for fight
Yes rejoined the other, / expect her
skipper has been reading the Life of Nell
SON., and feels an inclination to immor-
talize himself. He'll be less eager, how
ever, before we get through with him.
i didn't think that there was anything
in his majesty's service that could show
the Rover her stern BEFORE, remarked
Captain Buntline.
Our copper wants cleaning rejoined
the lieutenant, 'and our sails are old, and
hold no more wind than so much bobbi-
net; besides, sir. l think that fellow is
Baltimore built-some SLAYER they've
caught on the coast Guinea-or, perhaps
some unfortunate devil of privateer ;
those ten gun channel geopars DON, run
the line off the reel at that rate, in such
a catspaw as this
Here, Bobstay,' said the commander
to an old quarter master, take that glass,
and see what you can make of that fellow
The veteran divested his mouth of large
chew of tobacco, and hitching up his
trowsers, commenced scanning the Eng
lishman, with an eye proverbial for its
acuteness and experience.
THAT are is a mob-towner, sir, as the
lieutenant says, and coming down with q
big bone in her mouth, too
why are you positive about her being
Baltimore built, Bobstay? p asked the
commander.
Because, SIR answered the tar,
there's no end to the sticks them fellows
put in their crafts, and beside, if ye'll
observe, she hain't half the beam of them
ten-gun tubs; her yards are squarer. too,
and she's no reach to her sails
Your observations are conclusive,