White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-03-18

AO-..~ - 'Si ASeeoudUlc man, ana satisned with
the explanation be gave him. The shot it seems.
had ricochetted, struck the surface of the wa
ter and glanced of-passed over the Dutchman,s
poop and struck his main boom, or " peam," as
the Dutch officer had it. The lieutenant inuui.
red for the man who was almost kilt" and
was grati6ed to learn that the {" almost " meant
that the shot had passed pretty near young
MILDLY who ~asEaiking on the poop at the time,
but had neither hit nor hurt him. The Dutch
captain politely declined an offer to repair the
broken boom, and the American lieutenant re-
turned to his ship. He had scarcely finished his
report to the first lieutenant, when a boat came
alongside with an officer from a French corvette
which was lying beyond the Dutch brig We
may observe, by the way, that at the time we
are speaking of, there was much GOODNESS sub
sisting between the American and French Off
GERS in the Mediterranean, growing out of the
unfortunate fracas which had occurred a short
time before, at Mahon, between some American
and French sailors, in which French officer
and an American sailor were killed. The French
officer came on deck, and with demeanor that
was anything but conciliatory, stated that shot
from the Ontario had passed over the French
kings corvette --, carrying away some of
the rigging and quantity of seamen's clothing
which had been hung out to dry.
The officer, stepping to the mpa1lon way,
communicated this additional misfortune to the
first lieutenant.
"H-, we've shot a Frenchmanr
"ShOt Frenchmanr' exclaimed H.; is it
possible! When shall 1 hear the last of that
internal shot! Go on board, my dear -,
without delay, and satisfy Monsieur that it was
an accident"
The lieutenant accordingly went on board the
French corvette, and explained to the captain
the circumstances, expressing his deep regret at
the accident, and offering to send the proper per-
sons from the Ontario, to repair damages. Mon
sieur, however, was not in as placable a mood
as Mynheer; he declined the offer to repair dam
ages, but talked of informing his government,
and maintained a reserved and offended man.
mer, until the American officers patience began
to wear out; assuming as stately demeanor as
the Frenchman, he graYely observed, "Sir, l
have informed you of the circumstances Of this
accident, and made you every apology which in
my opinion the nature of the case requires! will
you be pleased to inform me whether YOU are
satisfied" The FLench captain Immediately
relaxed. ooh, oui, Monsieur, certainment, GER
tainment, c'est assez, c'est assez." The Amer
lean officer thereupon made his bow, and return
al fn tho nnfsrso Tho nfinarc in1flOaI
the hope that this unlucky shot had terminated
its adventures without further mischief; but the
circumstances being such as the first lieutenant
thought should be Immediately communicated
to the captain, they remained on deck until his
return. Captain S. came on board about nine
O'Clock, and making few observations, took
the first lieutenant aside: /
"H-," said he, " do you know that you
fred shot to-day"
eyes, SIR" said H, 90 am perfectly
aware of that fact; but how did you learn it,
Captain 81"
! "Why, the shot struck an Austrian-"
"Struck an Austriani'' echoed H.
"Aye, struck an Austrian brig" replied the
captain; "the Austrian captain brought the
shot to Mr.. OfHey's while we we're dining"
"Did you actually see the shot, Captain S.f''
said H.
al actually saw the shot; it was brought, as
I told you, by the Austrian captain, to the con-
sul's while we were at dinner, and laid on the
table,"
"Where is the shot now, sirl"
"At Mr.. OfHey's."
"was any one on board the Austrian ship7"
inquired H.
"No; but some damage is done to the YES
sell" r.!
"Thank God, them" cried H, that we've
heard the last of that shot7 Never gun fred
such a shot before; first, cut away a Dutchman's
spanker, next Frenchman's rigging, now it's
hulled an Austrian! But are you sure, Captain
s., that you saw the shot at Mr.. Ofiey'sl"
A boat was sent on board the Austrian vessel
early the next morning. She proved 20 be large,
new, stronghold brig, of about 800 tOns-a
Black Sea trader. The ball, which, after it CLAN
ced from the water, had passed over the Dutch
and French vessels in an ascending course, be-
gan to descend before itStruck the Austrian;
and such was its impetus -dat it drove through
the thick, strong sides vessel, carried away
a heavy stanchion, and finally broughtup on the
opposite side of the briggs hold, among num-
Der of men who were at work, without hurting
a man. The carpenter of the Ontario soon put
all to rights on board the Austrian, and thus
ended {" The Adventures of Thirty-tWo Pound
Shot"