Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-05-14
Written for the Delaware Republican,
aDo THE CRUISE
OF
THE VIXEN;
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.
81 cuAz.


About fateen leagues southwest nom Cape
Henry, on the morning OF the 10th of July
177S, might have been seen the schooner Y TX
en-, rolling lazily upon the long swells which
alone disturbed the quiet of the ocean MOI
breath OF air rnftied the smooth and CLASSY sur
face of the waters, nor was tiore asl0ud 10 nc
seen to break themOnotony ui the azure heav
ems. The long penant hung listlessly against
the mast, and all nature appeared to sinmOer
The quiet which had taken possession OF all
things else, was impaired to the gallant crew
that inhabited this beautiful specimen Of naval
architecture, and scarce q sound was heard, al
though some sixty hardy sons Of Neptune, were
engaged in different necessary occupations
upon the snow white deck.
Walking to and fro upon the fsSaIh oaIe-
quarter, were two ns1s N naval undfess,
While here and .l,;,,S, ~ lie seen three
sInilary attired, attending 10 inc Nall'
Gus duties which Were going on.
Is This is ull work, Mr.. Young" observed
CAPTAIN Hardweather, to his drst lieutenant
al do not like o calm. Give me MS mueh wlha
as clu eleyeily sand under, WIN inc ses
heaving an boiling around mr., and ieel hap
Nv but this lazy kind Of weather makeS ne
melancholy"
al think, sir, from the hazy appearance o,
the horizon we shall not be long idle, for II !
am not much mistaken, we shai NAYS sun
breeze from the southland and BASTARD before
long" returned Mr.. Young, stopping 10 scan
the heavens. The captain followed his eH-
ample, and they both for lew minutes "sFe
quiet. :,
"You are right, Mr.. Young" he replied
&c or there there Is no truth in signs" Let the
decks be cleared, and the men ready 10 make
sailat m; ment's warning, for We shall nave
the wind fresh enoug before an hour.
The necessary erdsrs were then gwen anu
in short time the heters !Nss Srew wSre
iounging about in groups, or Gaming Thought
lessly over the rail, gazing on the deep.
HWhat's in the wind now Bill :" said
smart looking young man to weather beaten
tar. "Tis'nt often we have the forenoon watch
to ourselves"
"You may well say that my hearty" re.
turned the other, I" nor is it likely you viii
have this long, for mark my words you will be
busy enough before eight bells, or I'm no
prophet"
Why, douse my top-lights, if you Amt
always creating Bill, and prophecyng evil
never seed sich an old puff TO windard as you
be In all my life. What's going to give us this
work your talking aboutl" said the young man
laughing.
"Well, maybe am an cd Gro ker. Tom,
as you say, but did you ever know me to croak
fslse-tell me that my boy 2"
HI can't say l did Bill, for some how or
other you have always hit the nail on the head
but how never conld just see.
"That will come by and by Tom, your green
to me. for have seen more years at sea than
you have seen months, and Id be but poor
tool, and spent my life to little purpose if |
hadn't picked up little knowledge Of the
weather. D, pend upon il you had better draw
up your trousers and tighten your belt, for
you wont have much time TO do 1t, twiXt This
and the morning ii you don t." As old Bill
said this he twisted his quld in his cheek and
turned away,
Well, blow me, if knows what to make oil
I'D hn,t i .a5. n1,, tl,n,
ing cold water on a fellows pleasure; and yet
somehow, he is always right. But water my
grog, if don't think he's missed his reckon
Ing this hitch for there is not wind enough II
blow feather off the captains whisker, or
cloud as big as lady's Handkerchief. He'
out of sounding this time, and amt Sorry
Closing his sOliloquy, Tom hitched up hi
Wristbands, and seated himself upon lii
bits to listen to the discourse OF his ship
mates.
Sometime after tue for going conversation
white clouds began to raise above the horizon
and the sea to be rutfled by light flaws OF wind
As soon as this was discovered all hands wert
pped to make sail. All now was hurry anc
hustle, and soon the Vixen, was moving SLOWLY
through the water under all the canvass thai
Would draw. The captain walked the quarter
deck scanning the heavens, while tn" officer oi
the deck urged his lively vessel as fast as pos
sibls of the land.
They had continued their course for more
than an hour and half, when the look out al
the mast head reported sail in sight. In al
Instant the captain seized h dsr g da and e"ini
"There she is sir, about two pints on the
weather bow"
"What does she look like, my man ~ en-
quired captain Hardweather - for can see
nothing but her mast heads"
"She is square rigger, sir, but can't see
any thing but her lofty sails. We are lifting
her fast though SIR"
clay aloft, Mr. Sp'icer, and sec what yut
make her, and let me know directly.' Thi'
was said to the Junior officer, who instantly
mounted the -igging.
"On deck there exclaimed Mr.. Spccr
"Well, sir, what de- you make her Z" quickly
responded the captain.
''She is square ggei vessel with her sar
board tack aboar an 1 aiding for US, l ak
her to be large Drlg, or U,rque sir.'
Very well, sir, keep your eye upon he
and let me know when you make her hull.
Very good, sir,'' responded Mr.. SpIicer
BY this time every one was anxious to max,
out the stranger, and the rigging WAS crowdet
with eager gazers. Since the sail hove in Sigh
the wind had freshened, and the Vixen, Wa
row flying through the water with u rlpiiit,
seldom eqnalled. The sea was getting up, anl
the dark clouds to windward seemed to be
speak stormy night. Little thought wit
given to the weather-all were intent upot
the prospectof making the stranger in sight .
prize.
They have Just made us out sir, - exclaim
cd Mr.. Splicer, for they arc getting on tn,
other tack. She is large brig. and from hel
canvass, shUu take her to be Engsh.'
"She must certainly be merchahtuan Mr.
Young" said the captain, coming aft, aft.l
viewing the vessel in question Tor some min
ules. She is very low in the waite, amt Ia,
not the last appearance Of vessel Of war.
should not be surprized if she is one Of tn,
vessels exp,c g by III. emmy.
d. She has Cha gid her colIse ag in, and /.
now running right before the wind SIR. They
arc getting up their siuddug sails and MAKING
all sail upon her, said Mr.. Splicer.
"Then we must be doing MIR. Young, slil
the captain, taking another look at the brig. :
" Set your square-sail and topmaSt stud int
sail, and let the schooner go OF 50 as to head
right for her. II am not mistaken We vii.
be up to her IN a few hOurs.,'
every good, sir" said Mr.. Young, and
soon the lively Vixen was bounding gIily ovVl
the waves, with the foam aud spray flying in
clouds from her bows.
" Heave the log Mr. Jackson" said the
captain, after a few minutes, the Vixen feels
her canvass and must be making rood way
" Ten and a half knots, SIR said Mr.. Jack
son.
"Good !" exclaimed the captain rubbing his
hands with delight. "The Vixen is lovely
ea-SSSss and as last as u racer, if she was Only
a frigate WITT qualities, would not fear
She ID Keep sharp eye on the brig MIR.
Splicer, and see if We are not overhauliug
her."
"We are coming up with her hand over fist,
sir, can see her now quite plain" replied The
fourth lieutenant.
aVsry good sir, watch her motion.
"Mr. Young, know that brig,'' said can.
tain Hardweather joining his officer, she is
the Good Intent of Plymouth, and IdouSt not
fllad uif clOfhinV tina Sh. i