Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1859-02-23


respective siasions, quietly, hut with
cheerful look, which betokencd PERFECT
confidence in their vessel, and especially
iu their officers.
An hour passed, aud the vessels were
now hulled up ahead, yet Captain Seawaii
gave no orders either to alter the course
or shorten sail. .....
"What about our colors, sir" asked the
Lieutenant
"You can run 'cm up in rolls to their
places, ready to pull out when | order It,
Mr.. Doolttle," said the captain, stillkeep-
ing his glass directed toward theapproaeh-
ling ships
The enemy were now rising fast, not
more than four or five liles of; but the
merchantmen, obeyng signals from the
Isloop,of-war, which had evenly discover
ed the nationality and character OF the
schooner, by her rig, hauled on wind and
shortened sail, while the man-ot-war held
! her course under cloud of canvas,
Take your stations for working ship
cried Seawaif. The men bounded to the
sheets and braces. Hard up the helm
cast off the sheets. and roundin the wealth
|er- broces! cried the captain. t.
"Tarnal thunder! you're not goin to
run from one sloop o war, are you, sir =
asked the lieutenant, iC agonized wonder.
"Get out and rig Two spars, with iron
enough on them to sink them, for drags
drop one over each quarter, and ask no
limpertinent questions, Mr.. Doolittle,"
said the captain, quietly.
4 81 begyour pardon, sir, hundred times
i thought you was a goin' to run y said
the now delighted officer, as he fastened
to obey the order. ..
"Double-shot with grape and canister
t. gunners to your stations !" cried the cap
tain, now, determinedly. "Men, make
no noise when announce it, but within
an hour that sioop-of.war shall strike her
flag, or wen go down with ours fying!-
When she is taken, the merchantmen will
be easy prizes" ......
Had they not been cautioned, the men
would have cheered so loudly as to have
lbeen heard on board Of the sloop-of-war.
After the dargs we rigged and lowered
over the side, held by stout hawsers, and
not seen because sunk beneath the water,
. the schooner did not go more than three
knots althuugh--under a full spread of
; canvas-she seemed to be running away
I from her antagonist, which now could be
seen coming up hand over hand, her decks
crowded with men, and her ports showing
D a battery Of twenty-iOur guns. SO
\ On she came, the red cross of st. George
i hauting from her peak, until shewas with
in nearly mile Of the schooner, when she
S fired a shot from one Of her bow guns.
+! "Show them our colors and name y
n cried the young captain, while his pale
t face flushed with smile of terrible JOY.
{ 1t was done in an instant but the YES
d sel's head was not changed, nor sail
II touched.
Rapidly the Engllshman closed up, head
3 ing little to leeward, SO as to range un-
der her larboard beam.
Y "Crouch well behind the bulwarSs, men,
IF stand 10y your larboard guns, but do not
e touch match until the order comes from
ir my lips depress your guns. SO as to take
e her between wind and water! Saii-trim
d mers, stand to your sheets and braces, anc
a be ready for orders"
y The orders given, Captain Seawaii tool
his position on the larboard side of the
ID quarter-deck, and with ill-concealcd de
ct Eight saw the Englshman range along un
D. til he was almost ahead.
"Haul down your colors, or III sinh
or you Strike, you Yankee rebel, Strtke =
d. shouted the English captain, who stood OF
ID the poop of his vessel in full uniform
: stcadying himself by holding ON to tn
D mizzen rigging. M.t IA,
IN " Pm lust going to Stike-not my colors
a but YOU !" cried Seawail, sarcastically, AM
OF instantly giving the order to pour in hi
us whole broadside.
1t was done with terrible effect, for th
at British had not anticipated resistance iron
II, a rebel whom they supposed to be usn
st his best efforts to escape, and were hudd
h. led along the deck on the side next til
a schooner, and were cut down in iearfu
a swalhs, And as the sails were little IL
re iured, the sloop-ot,war shot ahead, so tina
RS, She was past the schooner before she coul
ar- return the broadside.
'Cut away the draSs, spring to you
star-board battery-throw in chain shot a
well as grape-and cut her sticks away
=" cried Seawait.
a. Then ordering the helm up, as ih
~ schooner's headway increased; he yeere
10 off athwart the stern of the sioop; and 9
o. the guns came in range, delivered n
s' king fire, which not only swept her decl0
vi but cutting away her masts, crippled he
:. completely.
Nd He then hauled on wind, determine
ge to pepper her until she should strike,
c and not wishing TO lose any men at clos
h. quarters, if he coutd help it. But he ha
'Jy no occasion to use his guns any more; TO
go. suddenly, with shock, which shook til
sea and the air like an earthquake, tn
oL ill-fated craft was seen to fly to fragment
amid cloud of smoke, into the air
cir Whether by accident or design, no on
could tell, but in some way, the powd,
ev in her magazine had been ignited, and sh
v1 was blown to atoms.
" Prompted by humanity, Captain SeI
ST waif instantly ordered the helm up, an
be steered for the spot where the sloop-of-wi
had been, in hopes to sove some survivin
,ot persons of her crew.
ed But not a living soul could be seen.
few blackened spars and timbers only mC
be the eye.