Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-06-25

hold; and taking command of my craft
with one hand only visible on deck shall
set sail out of the harbor. When get
outside i think shall ,be"able to show
John Bull a Yankee trick he will not be
likely to forget soon. But all will de.
pend on your good management Of the
affair. Now you see what would be at,
Frank! Will you jcin me?'
Heart and hand" responded Frank
Talbot, with enthusiasm.
The midshipman then took his leave,
aud fastened up the Battery. The lieu
tenant returned to the group. and taking
aside the masters mate, whom he knew,
he laid briefly before him his pr, iect.
The old tar entered into it with all zeal
Together they went to the docks, where,
on account of the blockade lay idle a large
number Of vessels of every description
They were not long in discovering such
craft as suited them; Hudson sloop
Of seventy tons. She was Immediately
put in train for saiIidg by the masters
mate and three or four men whom he ems
ployed, while the officer proceeded to
buy up and send on board his live
stock. 4 4 X =
The morning following these events.
the tender of the British frigate was
standing off and on under easy sail and
close in with Sandy Hook. The wind
was from the south and blowing about
fve not breeze. The SKY was without
cloud. and only gentle undulalion
lifted the surface OF the ocean. The ten
der was clipper built vessel. very mar
row in the beam, and constructed wholly
with an eye to her fast sailing qualities;
and she give proof Of them by ov..rhaul.
ing everything. She carried amidshps
I"ng thirty two FOUNDER. Her crew con
sisted OF about thirty men, in the uniform
of the British navy. They were now
principally assembled in the bow and on
The windlass talking together or watch
ing the shore. Aft. the officer Of the
deck, bluff. full faced young English
MILDLY was loungiug over the quarter
railing, smoking cigar. The man at
the helm had sinecure Of his post, for
the vessel stripped along so easily that
she seemed almost to steer herself. Sail
no! cried the lookout from the heel of the
bowsprit.
Where nway?' quickly demanded the
officer. In shore, two points forward the
BEAM
Aye. aye. I see.' answered the mid
dy, leveling his glass at sloop Just
stealing out of the harbor closely hug>
ging the shore. It's another Of the Yam
kee coasters. A sale in shore, Mr. Stan
ley said he, speaking through the sky
light.
The lieutenan. a stout, feshy -visaged
John Bull. came on deck and took sight
at the stranger, which was about league
distant.
1t is lumber sloop. but we will bring
her to, If she dares venture out; for
we may get some fresh provisions and
vegetables from her if nothing more.'
Shall put her on the other tack, sir?'
| asked the MILDLY.
Not yet. Keep on as we are till the
sloop gets an offing. If we run for her
now, she will take refuge in the harbor,'
replied the lieutenant.
The sloop stood out for half a mile,
and then hauling her wind, beat down
along the land. The tender delayed her
chase till she had got too far from the en-
trance Of the harbor TO get back again,
and then putting about, ran for her so as
! W ICI On' uS SlOOp SSCuICu " bdk6
alarm. and. putting abo out, began to make
the best Of her way towards the harbor
she had left. Confident of the speed of
his own vessel. the English lieutenant
left satisfied that the chase was already
his, and laughed at the efforts of the
slooP TO get away.
AT length they came near enough to
see that her decks were covered with pigs
and poultry.
"A rare haul we shall make this morn
ing said the MILDLY. Enough of chick>
en- pie for the whole frigaIe's crew, TO say
nothing of the turkey and roast pig for
the cabin
/ ~ hat a regular slab sided Yankee
skipper she has at her helm! Man and
boy. she has a stout crew!' said the lieu
teuan. laughing. They look frightened
out If their senses, as they begin TO
think they are gone for ii! Sloop ahoyy
What ye wants? came across the
water. in the srong nasal Of Yankeedom.
i want you to heave to, brother Jona-
than
I'D rather not, if it's all the same to
you! I'm in nifty hurry!' was the reo
ply .... .,.. r
Frank added the disguised officer, in
an undertone, when order you to let
go the jib. you must draw it aft as hard
as your strength will let you. I at the
same time will put the helm hard up, so
the slooP will pay rapidly off, and fall
aboard Of the tender; for I'm determined
to fall aboard of her. 1 shall curse your
blunders. and order you to let go: but
don't mind me; keep pulling the jib sheet
hard to windward. Leave the rest to
me. Now, my men, he said. speaking