The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-12-16

Sueu 10 keep sharp LOOKOUT upon the dctloHS
of the stranger, while the Dolphin, erowding
her sail, continued to overhaul her rapidly.
At ten minutes past two a hustle was OBJ
served on the deck of the vessel, and she sud-
denly and very briskly took in all her steering
sails at once and hauled by the wind on the
starboard tack The speedy and seamanlike
manner in which this was done, at once con-
frned the suspicious before excited, for it
proved that the strange brig was manned with
unusual strength. Quick as thought, therefore,
the commander of the Dolphin gave the orders
to chase and in an instant her decks were alive
with officers and men, eager with the excitement
of the anticipated race, for it was easy to per-
ceive that the stranger might prove no easily
captured prize. Immediately the brig broke
cover, the British flag was run up to the mast
head by the commander of the Dolphin as a
ruse to draw out the true character of the fugi-
tive. This is a general custom in all navies
when first breaking cover with an enemy, or a
ship engaged in an unlawful traffic on the high
SEAS and is designed purposely to mislead the
suspected craft, and discover her true character
The strange sail continued to scud before the
wind, showing no flag in response, and blank
cartridge was fired after her, as respectful in
vitation to allow the pursuer sight of her ma.
tional ensign The hint was disregarded no
colors made their appearance from her mast,
and at half past three o'clock P. NJ, another
blank cartridge was expended, with no more
satisfactory result.
THE CHASE AND THE CAPTURE
The excitement on board the Dolphin was
now intense, for it was evident that the stranger
was an unlawful character, and had made up
her mind to show her speed, if not her teeth
Every stitch of canvas that could be used to
vessel, and every means possible was resorted
to in order to increase her speed. AS the gal
liant ship answered to these efforts and sprang
forward like an arrow from bow, the chase
became earnest and interesting in no ordinary
degree. So well was the flying craft handled,
that for time it was uncertain which had the
advantage in Roadway but the master, who,
with spy-glass in hand, was stationed on the
fore-royal yard declared that the distance was
decreasing between the two Ships an opinion
that was soon after confirmed by the report of
the third lieutenant, who, with sextant, was
measuring the angle between the strange sails
main truck and water line, the increase of which
gave proof that the Dolphin was nearing the
chased brig At P. NJ, orders were given
by Capt. Mafft to First Lieutenant Bradford
to fire shot under the briggs STERN that she
might have no excuse for fully understanding
that sight of her flag and communication with
her commander were desired The shot, at the
guns full elevation was fired, and to the as
constituent of all, it passed close under the
stern of the suspected vessel. Those on board
the latter now evidently came to the conclusion
that no child's play was intended by the pur-
suer and in answer to the last and more pressing
invitation she displayed the we'll known stars
and stripes of an American flag. No sooner
was the evidence Of her nationality given than
Captain Maffit ordered an American ensign to
be run up at the Dolphin's peak But the
change did not appear to suit the stranger at
all, and she continued to struggle on all the
more resolutey in the vain effort to elude her
pursuer.
After running for fifty minutes longer Capt.
Maffit made up his mind that it was time to
bring matters to close without further delay.
Two orders were, therefore, issued by him to
Lieut.. Bradford The first was to throw shot
close under the strangers bow This was
promptly done, the shot passing but few feet
from her cutwater. The people on board the
brig were evidently startled at the near approach
Of the iron messenger. They became convinced
that escape was impossible; and fearing that
the next shot might be amongst them as it
unquestionably would have been, for that was
the second order of Capt Matit, and would
have followed the. first after reasonable lapse
OF time they backed their main topsail, and
hauling down the American flag, threw it over
board The Dolphin was soon hove to. close