Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-05-21

ments OF his vessel for short time, Captain
| Hardweather descended to tho cabin, leaving
orders to be called when they had neared the
| wreck.
| Sc If this should turn out to be an enemy,
| said Surgeon Massey, we shall make asplendid
| cruise OF it, and do ourselves and the country
| good service. Though | must say it is con
| founded dull work for me--only think OF oul
| taking two prizes, and but one man wounded.
Its rather an anomaly"
Don't flatter yourself, Doctor, with making
the vessel in sight as easy prize as the brig
Tor my word upon it, she will not strike SO
| easily" returned Mr.. Ogden.
"Why you don't pretend to say, she will
show fight in her crippled state do you % re-
tsrned the doctor with some amazement.
'sh she is what we suppose her to be, we
shall have some pretty warm work, though she
IS entirely at our mercy and must in the end
knock under,' said Mr.. Ogden.
&c Well, can't say Pm very sorry, for since
we have been at sea, I've had but little need
to esert my skill, and should it continue long
| l shall forget what l have been so long acqulr-
| ing,s remarked surgeon Massey.
The d-l take you Massey said Jackson
''for bloody minded fellow; and may | never
be captain, ifI don't think you take morede.
\ lightia torturing your fellow creatures, thar
| In handling your prize money"
&c Then you do me great injustice Jackson.
| Tor though am somewhat Of an enthusiast
| yet, nothing pains me more than to be under
the necessity Of intlictng pain, even where it is
for the good of the patient But, l must con-
fess L ieel proud, when am able to restore a
| poor fellow to his country and his family.
There is an nsxpressible pleasure at the sue
cessiul termination of case, which more than
| compensates for all the mental suffering en-
dure," quickly responded Massey.
=" Well really, that is too bad" said Mr..
| Splicer laughing. s' Who ever hoard of doc
tor befurc feeling any symp athy 1or the poor
devil in his cutches2 One can as easily imag-
Inc the existence Of an honest lawyer, as soft
hearted doctOr.,'
I'm glad you have thus delivered your
opinions" said Massey smiling, 'tor / shall
know how to treat you when the time comes
for my assistance. So look out my promising
youth"
g believe you, believe you, DOCTOR" said
Splicer, g but shall take good care to keep
from under your hands,
You had better my merry friend, for / shall
remember what you have said.'
g The wind is lulling fast, sir, and think
the toresail will dono harm,'' said Mr.. Jackson
to tho Captain, who had but just como upon
deck.
I" Put it on her, sir, and shake reef out of
your mainslil, " returned the Captain. I'm
glad to see the weather becoming smoother,
for with such a sea as this we could never
board yonder vessel.'
Sail was now made upon tho Vixen, and be-
lore long, she would be within reach OF the
wreck. The ensign was ran up to the. peak,
and once more the stars and stripes waved
proudly to the wind, This was instantly re-
turned by the British lion being hoisted upon
spar dashed to the taffrail.
&C Well done my hearties' exclaimed Cap
tain Hardweather stLike yourselves, game
to the last. But it all won't do, though you
are nearly four times our strength, you shall be
mine"
In another half hour both crews were at
quarters and everything cleared for. action
The men on board tho Vixen were in high
spirits, and now only waited for the word, to
pour their iron shower on the foe. On board
Of the enemy, whilst O part of her crew man
ned her .ttery, the rest were engaged in ria-
gas jnfy masts, to enable her 10 be worked,
so as to prevent being raked. This produced
nothing moro than some witty remarks frons
the Vixen'S crew, who viewed the labor of
tho enemy as altogether needless and only
waste of time, for they were already commen-
ting upon the probable value of the prize.
90 She must make the first attack MIR. jack
son." said the captain, E" for it never shall be
said that was over anxious to strike Grip
pied foe,''
g. But suppose she declines to do so 20 he re-
turned,
"Theu, in that case, will give her chal-
lenge, II she still persists we must board. Ihe
sea is going down fast and by four it will be
pretty smooth.'
'' AS you please, sir, but would suggest
that her crew far out numbers ours, and in an
engagement of the kind our chance is but
smal.''
81 overlooked that Mr. Jackson, and necessity
compels me to do what do not like Yet 1
will try and make her begin first. Let her come
up poist. or two, quarter master-there stea-
dy as you 60. We will 60 to windward of her
and throw shot across her decks, and SEQ
how she will take it.''
g She has saved you the trouble sir" said
Mr.. Ogden, as he noticed tho white smoke ris-
ing from the starboard bow of the enemy.
They have commenced early.''
The shot fell short of the Vixen by some
fifty yards, and Captain Hardweather, smiled
as he remarked, she must do better than that,
or our long eighteen will sweep her decks.
g We are more than within range, sir" said
Mr.. Jackson, shall we return the fire.
Sc Not yet, sir, wait until we have her bow
on: and then make your shot tell. Brazil the
foresail up, sir, and give yoursclve plenty of
room for the working of the gun we shall
make way enough under our glib and mainsail."
CHAPTER III.