The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-08-07
= 9torn Of tI)c Cast tllor.
THE FniGATE'S TENDER.


Great Britain, that a young naval officer
walking on the Battery at York,
had his attention drawn to group Of
persons earnestly engaged in Watching
two vessels that were just visible down
the barbor.
"What is it, my friends ?" he asked,
in frank, hearty tone, as he joined
them.
80 The tender, again, chasing in Il
schooner, sir,' answered an old tar,
touching the point of his hat, as he
noticed the anchor button Oh the officers
coat.
C Here 5 spy-glass, sir" said a
masters mate, who stood near, at the
same time respectfully handing it to him.
"Thank you, my man. answered the
lieutenant with u smile, as he took the
instrument and placed it to his eye.
BY its aid he could clearly distinguish
an armed schooner of about ninety tons,
crowding sail in chase Of Il trading &C fore
and after" that was making every excr-
ton to escape, both BY towing and wet
ting her sails.
''Tho chase is about half Il nile ahead,
sir,: said the masters mate 'sbut the
tender sails like shark in chase of Il
dolphin. The fore and after don't stand
amy chance of getting in past the fort"
"Thc tender can sail, and | am the
one that ought to know it," said stout
weather. beaten man. 6" She was pilot
boat, and the fastest craft that ever
danced over the water. Three weeks
ago and my crew were out in her, when
yon English frigatc suddenly made her
appearance out ola fog bank, and brought
us to. But l. took to my yawl and
pulled for the land league away and
escaped, for the fog was so thick that
the Englishman could not Get a glimpse
of me. 1t is my schooner that they have
turned into a tender, sir, and that made
so many captures the last three weeks
Of our small coasters"
"Shc carries forty men and long
thirty-two as hear observed sea-
man in the group.
"And is commanded by huff and
REFER" added the masters mate.
4" 1t would be blcssing," observed a
man-of-war's man, who had not yet
spoken, &C if that craft could be caught
mapping. 1t amt safe for sloop to put
her nose out Of the harbor, beyond the
cape: but while the frigatc was there
alone they could slip along the coast in
light water and show their heels. But
DOW everything that ventures out is
brought to by the long gun of the
tender"
"That S fact, Ben" responded an
other seaman. 6 She has taken or driven
back i'll port no less than twcnty-six
crafts in the last three weeks. shall
be glad when our frigate lying off there
gets her armament aboard, for then, !
think, we'll swallow the English frigate
outside and PICK our teeth with the
tender"
All these remarks were heard by the
young officer, who all the while continued
to book through the spy-gIass ut the
tender and her chase.
"Ihcre goes Il gun" cried several of
the spectators as a flash and jet Of
smoke came from the tenders bows.
"That's bold enough" observed the
young officer, as if speaking his thoughts
aloud, {" the impudent tender is almost
on the fort, and dares to fire at the chase
i'll the very face of the batteries"
IS only to try and do her mischief,
sir" said The masters mate {" for she
finds the fore and after will escape her,
so she fires gun to cut away something's"
Z" You are right, ny man." responded
the officer, " for she has put about and
stands seawald again"
lie continued to watch the retiring
tender for some moments in silence.
=" 1t s pity that we hadn't an armed
cutter in port that would sail faster
than she can, so that we might give her
chase out" said q lad approaching the
group. lis dress was that of IL midship-
man, and his air singularly free and
careless.
"Ah, Frank, arc you here ?" said the
lieutenant. " Come aside with me-"
said he putting his arm in that of the
midshpman. 81 have conceived q plan
to capture the tender"
elm what way, sir" demanded the
youth.
/" / will show you. The tenders game
appears to be the coasting vessels, from
which she takes men to impress in the
British navy, and also plumbers the crafts
OF such things as they contain which arc
of any value. My plan is to charter an
old sloop, the worst looking one that it
is possible to find in port, yet tolerablc
sailcr, for she must work well and readily
obey her helm. | will load her deck
with hen-coops, filed with poultry, pens
cramnlcd with pigs and few sheep and
a calf by the way of variety. You laugh,
Frank, but the commander of the tender
will find it no laughing matter, if ! sue
coed as anticipate. shall ship about
thirty6vc men, and conceal them in the
hold; and taking command of my craft
with one hand only visible on deck,
shall set sail out of the harbor. When
| get outside, think shall be able to
show John Bull a Yankee trick he will
not be likely to forget soon. But all
will depend upon your good management
of the affair. Now you sec what would
be at Frank viii you join me %
" Heart and hand" responded Frank
Talbot, with enthusiasm.
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