Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-26
THE FRIGATE's TENDER; Or THERUSE
A Hint for The Present Emerrer.cH.

THE FRIGATE's TENDER; Or THE RUSE.
A Hint for the Present Emergency.
It vas early q sunny morning, during the pro-
gress Of he last war with Great britain, that
young naval officer, walking on The Battery at New
York, had his attention drawn to group Of per-
sons earnestly engaged in watching two vessels that
were just visible down the barbor.
What is it. my friends? be asked in . frank,
hearty tone, he joined them.
The tender, again, chasing in schooner. sir,
answered an old tar, touching the point Of his
hat as be noticed the anchor button on the officers
coat.
Here is a spy glass, SIR said masters mate
who stood near, at the time respectfully hand
ing it to him.
'Thankyou my man. answered the lieutenant
with smile, as he took the instrument and placed
it to his eye.
By its aid he could clearly distinguish an armed
schooner Of about Dinety tons, croWding sail
in chase of trading fOrs-snd-sftsr, that was
making every exeTtion to escape, both BY towing
and Wetting her sails
The chase is about half mile ahead, SIR said
the masters mate; but the tender sails like shark
in chase Of dolphin. The fore and sfer don't
stand any chance Of getting in past the FORT
The tender can sail, and l am the one that ought
to know It,, said q stout, Westhsr-beaten man. 'She
was pilot boat, and the fastest craft that ever
danced over the water Three weeks ago ] and my
denly made her appearance out Of fog bank, and
brought as to- But took to my yah ard pulled
for the land league away, and escaped; for the
fog so thick that the Egglishman could not get
glimpse Of me. 1t is my schooner they have
turned into a tender, sir, and that made 50 many
captures during the last three weeks of our small
ooasters.'
she carries forty men and long thirty two, Es
1 hear observed 8 eamen in the group.
And is commanded by lutf and q REFER added
the masters mate.
1t would be a blessing observed man Of-War's
man, who had not yet spoken, If that craft could
be caught mapping II amt safe for sloOp to put
her nose out of the harbOr, beyond the cape. But
while the frigate there alone, they could slip
along the coast in light water and show her their
heels. But now, every thing that ventures out is
brought to BY the long gun Of the tender
That's TACT, Ben responded another seaman
She has taken or driven back in port no less than
twenty craft in the last three weeks shall be
glad for when frigate laying of there gets
her armament aboard; for then l think well sWal-
low the English frgate sutside, and pick our teeth
with the tender
All these remarks we're heard by the young officer,
who all the while continued to look through the
spy-glass at the tender aud her chase
There goes q gum cried several Of the specta-
tors, as 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 up 70 the fort and dares to Ere at
the chase in the very lace Of the batteries
las only 10 try to do her mischief, sir said the
mas ers mate; for she ads the fore sad after viii
escape her, she fires gun to cut away some
thing.
You are right, my man, responded the officer,
'for she has put about and stands seaWard again
He continued TO watch the retiring tender for
some moments in silence
It's pity that we badR't an armed cutter in port
that would sail faster than she can, so that we
might give her chase out, said lad approaching
the group. His dress was that Of midshipman,
and his air singularly free and careless.
'Ah Frank, are you here.' said the leuensGt.
'COme aside with me, said he, putting his arm in
thai Of the midshipman. i have conceived plan
for capturing the teader.'
In what way, sirl' demanded the youth.
4 will show you. The tenders game appears to
be the coasting vessels, from which she takes men
to impress IN the British navy, aud also plumbers
the craft Of such things as they contain which are
Of any value Ny plan is 70 charter an old slO0P,
the looking that is possib to ind in port,
yet tolerable ssilsr, for she must work we'll and
readily obey her helm. / viii load her deck with
hen-coeps, filled with Poullry, pens crammed With
pigs and few sheep, and cal: OF two BY way Of
variety You laugh, Frank, but the commander Of
the tender will fad it no laughing natter if sue
ceed as l anticipa.e. 1 shall ship shout thirtyhVe
men, and conceal them IN the hold; and taking
command of my craft with one hand only visible on
the deck l shall set sail out Of the harbor- When
get outside, 1 think l shall be able 10 show John
Bull Yankee trick he will not be likely to forget
very soon. But all will depend upon your good
management Of the affair Now you see what
would be at Frank Viii you join meT
Heart and hand, SIR responded Frank Talbot,
with enthusiasm.
'Now, We want to proceed at once to action, said
the Lieutenant. 4 want you to 50 70 the Auehor
4 - &C.
and thirty men. Take snly those that are daring,
and ready Tor anything Let none Of them know
your object ess we should be betrayed by informa-
tion being conveyed 10 the tender. You viii md
enough in these times that will ask no questions.
Meet me at Twelve o'clock at the Exchange reading
room, and report n me
The midshlpman then took his leave. and hasten
ed M the Battery The lieutenant returned to the
group. and taking aside the masters mate, whom he
knew. he laid briefly before him his project. The
old tar entered into il with all zeal Together they
went to the docks, where, on account Of ths block
ade Law idle 3 large number Of vessels Of every
DESCRIPTION. They we're not long in discovering
such a craft as suited them-a Hudson slOOp Of
seventy 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
bay up and send on board his live stock.
The morning following these events, the tender
of the British rigate was standing of and on under
III,
vas from the South, and blowing about Eve knot
breeze. The sky was without cloud, and only q
gentle undulauOn lifted the surface Of the ocean
The tender was clipper built vessel, very marrow
in the beam, and constructed wholly with eye TO
her fast-sailing qualities; aud she gave proof Of
them by overhauliDg everything. She carried
amidships a long thirty two pounder. Her crew
consisted Of about thirty men, the uniform Of the
British navy They were now principally Assem-
bled in the bow and on the Wndlass, talking to-
gether or watching the shore. AT, the officer Of
the deck, bluff, ull-faeed young EDglish MILDLY,
was lOuBgng over the quarter railing, smoking 3
cigar. The man at the nelm had sineeure OF bis
post forhe vessel tripPed along easily hat she
seemed al ost 70 steer herself,
Sail hor cried the lock out, from the heel Of the
bOwsprit
In shore two points forward the beam.
ave, aye, ses answered the MILDLY, lsveling
his glass at slOOp just stealing out Of the hsrbOr,
closely hugging the shore. It's another Of the
Yankee coasters A sail in theshOre, Mr.. Stanley,
said he, speaking through the skylight-
The lieutenant, stout, Aeshy- Visaged John Bull,
came on deck and took sight ct the stranger, which
- as-fou