Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-15
SMMlposa 1fmotrat.
A sTRATAGEM OF WAR.

Stratagem as well as force is among all ma
tions considered justifable in war; but whether
the conduct which is embraced in the anecdott
which we are about to relate, should be il
strict accordance with the moral principles
which ought to regulate the actions of men, we
leave to casuists to decide.
During the early part of the last war with
Great Britain small brig mounting about ten
skies, with a crew of forty or fifty men, sailed
from New England as Letter of Marque
with permission to cruise as a privateer for a
certain length of time and capture prizes from
the enemy. While cruising in the ATTITUDES of
the homeward bound West Indamen, the brig
one morning fell in with large ship to which
she gave chase, but the captain, an "old sea-
dog" on reconotering her through his spy
glass, was satisfied that they mounted too
many guns to contend with, with any prospect
of success and hauled off much to the dssat-
sfaction of the crew, who attributed his con-
duct to the want of spirit and courage. In
fact they were not backward in exhibiting their
feelings and the word coward was more than
once banded about the ship in the hearing of
the captain.
F." A few days after the brig fell in with another
vessel. Every stitch of canvass was spread,
and Just at night the chase was made out to be
large West Indiaman," apparently well
armed and manned, and looking like an ugly
customer.
"Now," said the Yankee captain to the
crew, al wish you to listen, to what | am
going to say. heard some of you muttering
not long SINCE about cowards--and to oblige
you, will give you an opportunity of testing
every man on board You see that ship
ahead. She is pierced for twonty-four guns,
and probably carries sixteen at least of heavy
metal That ship, men, shall be my prize be-
fore two hours So look out for squalls If
some of you don't lose the number of your
ing out Cowards, ha !"
The crew looked rather blank at this pithy
harangue, but dared not remonstrate. They
were caught in their own foils, and resolved to
fight it out like men.
Night came on, but they still kept sight of
the Engshmen. 1t was about half.past eight
in the evening, when they ranged up within
hail. on the weather quarter of their more
bulky antagonist, who had every man at quar-
tiers, evidently prepared for brush, and with
his bulwarks and numerous deck lanterns pre-
senting rather formidable appearance. The
captain of the brig seized his speaking trum-
pet, and in preremptory manner hailed the
stranger.
"Ship ahoy!" .-..f D..
"Hallo"
"Heave to and I'll send my boat aboard"
"What brig is that, prayS"
"7ze United States Brig Argus"
Aye, aye, sir !"
John Bull thought it would be madness to
contend with the United States Brig Argus,
which was well known to be crack sloop of
war of twenty guns, and accordingly backed
his main topsail without further parley. The
Yankees were thunderstruck at their captains
impudence But the quarter boat was lower
ed and officered and manned Immediately in
true men of war style.
The American officer assembled the gangway
of the English ship, with a swab" on his
shoulder "What ship is this y said he in an
authoritative tone, as soon as he reached the
deck.
"The English ship Csrnarvon Castle, sir,
from Barbados bound to Bristol" returned
the Englishman, submissively
a'a "Then, sir you will please to step into the
boat with your papers, and return with me on
board the Argus. Mr. Simpson, said he to the
captains clerk, who filed the post of MILDLY
on this occasion, Il leave you with the men in
charge of the ship You will proceed to put
the prisoners in irons ready to be transferred
to the Argus w .n.ll.s.E
When the British captain came alongside
the Argus he was astonished at her diminutive
size, and when he got on board he saw that
he had been duped but it was then too late
to remedy the evil. Sir" said he to the
Yankee captain, more in anger than in sorrow,
you told me this was the United States brig
Argus
u' l"And ! told you the truth, sir. Her name
is the Argus--and she belongs to tie United
States ~ Exchange f sf H-n
-----------
A CrNcrtAR TRIAL-A few davs since saws