The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-06-18


very face Of the batteres.'
Its only to try and do her mischief, SIR
said the masters mate g.; for she finds the
fore and after will escape her, so she fires
gun to cut away something.'
You are right, my man. responded the
officer, for she has put about and stands
seward again.
lie continued to watch the retiring ten
der for some moments in silence
It's n pity that we hadn't an armed cut
ter IN port that would sail faster than she
can ; so that we might give her chase OUT
said lad approa ching the group. His
dress was that Of a midshipman, and his
air singularly free and careless.
'4\h, Frank, are you here 2 said the lieu
tenant. Come aside with me- said he,
putting his arm in that of tile mi,lshipman.
have conceived plan for capturing the
TENDER
In what way, sir 2 demanded the youth.
4 will show you. The tenders game ap-
pears to be the coasting vessels from which
she takes men to impress in the british ma
w, and also plumbers the craft Of suoh things
as they contain which are Of any value. My
plan is to charter an OLD soop, the worst
looking one that it is possible to find in
port, yet to!erable sailor, for she must
work well and readily obey her helm.
will load her deck with hen coops, filled
with poultry, pens crammed with pigs and
lew sheep, and calf or two by way of va
rlety. You laugh, Frank, but the comman-
der OF the tender will find it no laughing
matter, if | succeed as anticipate I shall
ship about thirty-fve men, and conceal
them i'll the hold and taking command of
my craft with one hand only visible On the
deck, shall set sail out of tho harbor
When get outside, think I shall 10 able
TO show John Bull Yankee trick he will
not be likely to forget very soon. But all
will depend on your good management Of
the affair. Now YOU see what would be
at Frank Will you join me 2
Heart and hand SIR responded Frank
1aiuOt, Will cntuuSlaSm.
Now we want to proceed at once to ac-
tion, said the lieutenant, i want You to
so to the Anchor rendezvous, in Pearl street,
and drum up about five and thirty men.
Take only those that are daring and ready for
anything. Let mono Of them know your
object, lest we should be betrayed by infor-
nation being conveyed to the tender You
will find enough in these times that will ask
no questions. Meet me at twelve o'clock
at the Exchange reading rooms, and report
to me-
The midshipman then took his leave, and
hastencd up tho Battery. Tho lieutenant
returned to the group, and taking aside the
masters mate, whom we knew, he laid
briefly before him his project. The old tar
entered into it with all zeal. Together they
went to the docks, where on account Of the
blockade, lay idle large number Of ves-
sells Of every description. They were not
long in discovering such craft as suited
them Hudson sloop of 20 TONS She
was Immediately put in trim for sailing by
the masters mate and three or four men
whom he employed, while tho officer pro.
ceoded to buy up and send ON board his
live stock.
The morning following these events, the
tender ofthe British frigate was standing off
and on under easy sail and close in with
Sandy Hook. The wind was from tile south
west, and blowing about a i've knot breeze.
The sky was without cloud, and only
gentle undulation lifted the surface of the
ocean. The tender was clipper built ves-
sci, very narrow in tho beam, and construc-
ted wholly with an eye to her fast sailing
qualities and she gave proof Of them by
oyerhauling everything. She carried amid.
slips long thirty-two FOUNDER. Her crew
consisted Of fabout thirty men, in the uni.
form Of the British navy. They were now
principally assembled in the bow and on the
windlass talking together or watching the
shore. Aft, the officer Of the deck, q bluff,
full-faced yonng English mildly was loung
ing over the quarter railing, smoking ci-
gar. The man at the helm had sinecure
OF his post, for the vessel tripped along so
easily that she seemed almost to steer her.
self.
Sail no = cried the lookout from the
r heel Of the bowsprit.
where away quickly demanded the Of
. -fcer. y,ii 7,"vD - Ea'.@ IL
In shore two points forward the beam 2
: AYE, aye, see'P answered the MILDLY,
j leyeIing bis glass at sloop just stealing out
ofiths harbor closely hugging the shore,