Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-07-08
THE FRIGATE'S TENDER:
OR THE RUsE.


tion drawn to a group Of persons earnestly
engaged in watching two vessels that wer
just visible down the harbor
What is it, my friends?'' he asked in
frank, hearty tone. as he joined them.
1.-The tender, again, chasing in schoon
or. sir, " answered an old tar touching tn,
point OF his hat, as he noticed the ancho
buttons on the officers coat.
Here is spy-glass, sir said mas
ter's mate who stood near. at the same tim,
respectfully, handing it to him.
"Ihank you, my man. answered tn
lieutenant with a smile, as he took the in
strnment and placed it to his eve.
Byits and he could clearly distinguish al
armed schooner of about ninety tons. crowd
ing sail IN chase OF trading fore and af
ter, that was making every exertion t,
escape, both by towing and wetting he
sails.
"Ihe chase is about half a mile ahead
sir, said the masters mate. but the tepde
sails like shark in chase OF a dolphin
The fore and after don't stand anv chance
of getting past the fort"
"Ihe tender can sail, and / ann the on.
that ought to know it = said a sfout wealth
er beaten man. "She was pilot boat, anc
the fastest boat that ever danced over III,
water Three weeks ago ] and my crew
were out IN her, when yon English fiigat,
suddenly made her appearance ont of foe
bank, and brought us to- But took my
yawl and pulled for the land league away
and escaped; forthe fog was SO thick tha,
the EngliShman could not get glimpse o,
me. Ii Is my schooner they have turned in
to tender, sir, AMI that has made SO many
captures the last three weeks of our small
coasters"
she Carries forty men and a long thir
ty-two, as hear" observed seaman il
the group
"And is commanded by luff and reef
er, added the masters mate.
1T would be blessing" observed 8
man of-wsr's man, who had not vet spo
ken, ''if that craft could be caucht mapping
1t amt safe for sloop to put her nose ou,
OF harbor, beyond the cape: but while the
irlSate was there alone, they could slip a.
long the coast in light water. and show he,
their heels. But now everything that ven
lures ont Is brought to by the long gun Of
the tender"
That's fact, Ben responded are the,
seaman. "She has taken or driven back in
port no less than twenty-six craft in the
last SIX weeks. l shall be glad for once.
when our frigate laying off there gets her
Armament aboard, for then L think we'll
swallow the English fligate outside, anu
pick our teeth with the tender
All these remarks were heard by the
young officer, who all the while continued
to look through the spy glass at the tender
and her chase.
There goes gum" cried several of the
spectators as a fash and Jet of smoke
came from the tenders bows. s
That's bold enough observed the
young officer, as il speaking his thoughts
aloud; the impudent tender is almost up 10
the fott, and ,lares to fire at the chase in the
very face Of the batteries. " zsss
''lt's only to try and do her mischief
sir, SAID the masters mate; s'for she finds
the fore and after will escape her. so she
''4oa are right, ny man, responded the
officer. ''for she has put about and stands
seaward again. - krss .s-s
de continued to watch the retiring ten
der in silence.
ITS pity that we hadn't an armed cut
ter in port that would sail faster than she
can; SO that we might givelIer chase our. -
SAID a lad approaching the. group. His
dress was that of a milshipman, and his air
singularly free and careless.
"Ah, Frank. are you hereo" said the
lieutenant. Come aside with nse, - said
he, putting hls arm in that OF the midsbip-
man 81 have conceived plan for can
turing the TENDER
"in what way, sro?" demanded the youth
81 will show you Tire tenders game
appears toibe the coasting vessels from
which she takes men to impress in the Brit
| III navy, and also plumbers the craft of sueb
things as they contain which are of any val
ne. My plan is to charter an old sloop.
the worst looking one that it is possible to
ind in port. yet a tolerable sailor. for she
must work we'll AMI readily obey her helm.
will load her ieck with hen coops. filled
with poultry. pens GRAINED with pigs and
: few sheep, and calf by way of variety.
You langh. Frank. but the conmander Of
the tender will find it 10 laughing matter.
i'll succeed as anticipate. I shall, shin
about thirty i've men, aud conceal them in
The hold; and taking command of my craft.
with one hand only visible on the deck. ]
shall set sail out of the harbor. When /
yet ontside, / think shall be able to show |
John Bull a Yankee trick he will not be
likely to forget very soon But all will de- |
PEND on your good management of the af- |
air, .Aow You seelwhat ] would be at,
Frank Will you join me?'' t
Heart aud hand, sir, responded Frank i
Talbot, with enthusiasm. a. eis
7F"Now-s we want TO proceed at once 10 ac- I
'ion, said the lieutei,anf II want Won I
o go to the anchor rendezvous, in Pearl
'tleet, and drum up five and thirty men,
fake only those that are daring and ready !.
or anything Let none Of sfhcrn know /
1our object, lcstswe should be BETRAYED by
ntormat ion bsing eonyeyed TO the tender. |.
ou will find enough in these times that +
will ask no questions Meet me at twelve
''cfock at ths Exchange reading rooms. and Z
cpofteto me. se HsssF - ~ = +
Fhe midslriprnan the to ok his leave, and