Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-04-23

II
and thirty men. Take only those that
are daring and ready for anything Let
none of them know your object, lest we
should be betrayed by information
being conveyed to the tender. You
find enough in these times that will
will ask no questions. Mect me at
twelve clock at the Exchange reading.
rooms, and report to me-
The midshipman then took his leave,
and hastened up the Battery. The
lieutenant returned to the group, and
taking aside the masters mate, whom he
knew, he laid briefly before him his pro-
ject. The old tar entered into it with
all zeal. Together they went to the
docks. whcre,on account of the blockade,
lay dle a large number of vessels of
every description. They were not long
in discovering such craft as suited
them: Hudson sloop of 10 tons. She
was Immediately put in trim for sailing
by the masters mate and three or four
men whom he employed, while the officer
proceeded to buy up and send on board
his live stock.
Tho 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 southwest, and blowing
about five knot breez,. The sky was
without a cloud, and only q gentle un-
dulation lifted the surface of the ocean.
The tender was clipper built vessel,
very narrow in the beam and constructed
wholly with IN eye to her fast sailing
qualities and she gave proof of them by
overhaulng everything. She carried
anidships long thirty-two pounder.
Her crew consisted Of about thirty men,
in the uniform of the British navy. They
were now principally assembled in the
bow and on tho windlass, talking togeth-
er or Watching the shore. Aft, the officer
of the deck, bluff, full faced, young
English mildly" was lornsing over The
quarter railing, smoking cigar. The
man at the helm had a sinecure of his
post, for the vessel trippei along so easi-
| lv that she seemed almost TO steer her
self
Sail no y cried the lookout from the
heol Of the bowsprit.
Where away quickly demanded the
officer.
In shore, two points forward the beam.
aye, aye sec,' answered the mildly
levelling his glass at sloop Just stealing
out Of the harbor, closely hugging the
shore. Its another of the Yankee
coasters. A sail in shore, Mr.. Stanly,'
said he. speaking through the sky light
The lieutcnant. stout, heshy aged
ohm Bull. came on deck and took sight
at the stranger, which was about league
distant.
1T is lumber sloop. but We will
brn. her to. if she dates to venture out;
for we may ge. 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 arc till the
sloop gets an otfing. If we run for her
now she will take refuge in the harbor,'
replied the lieutenant.
Tn, s!oop stood out for half mile and
then hauling her wind, beat down along
the land. This tender delayed her chase
till she had got too far from the harbor to
get back again, and then, putting about
run for her as to cut her off The sloop
seemed t. take the alarm. and, putting
about, began to make the best of her
way toward. the harbor she had left.
Confident of the speed Of his own vessel
the English lieatcnant fel, 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
pig. and poultry.
A rare haul VIC shall make this morn
Ing said the MILDLY. Enough chicken
pie for the whole frisate's crew, to say
nothing of the turkeys and roast pig
for the cabin =
What a regular slab-sided Yankee
skipper she has at her helm Man and
boy, she has stou. crew. said the
lieutenant, laughing. They look fright
ehed out of their senses as they begin TO
think they are gone for it Sloop, ahoy"
What ye want ! came across the
water, in the strongest nasal of Yankee.
dom.
Il want you to hcave to, brother JON
a,han =
I'd rather not, If it's all the same to
you. I'm in a nifty hurry was the
reply.
Frank added the disguised officer, in
an under tone, when | order you TO let
go the jib, you must draw it aft as hard
as your strength will let you. at the
same time will put the helm hard up, so
the sloop will pay rapidly of, and fall
aboard of the tender; for am dcter-
mined to fall aboard of her. l shall
curse your blundcrs and order you to let
90, but don't mind me; keep pulling the
lib sheet hard TO wiulward. Leave the
rest to me. Now. my men said he.
speaking through the companion way,
take good grasp Of your cutlasses and
pistols. When | stamn my foot on deck
over your heads, throw off the hatches,
leap on deck. and follow me-
'Hcave to, or will sink you. What
are you palarvering about,' shouted the
Englishman.
The two vessels were now slle by
side, steering on the same course, abeam
of each other the tender. to lcewarl, and
about hundred fathoms of.
Wal, don't be too free with your
powder. and will Aminadab, let 60