The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-11-11
TIE EKIGATE'S TENDER.
A Tale of The Last War.
By J. II. INGRAHAM.
CHAPTER |.

tentlon drawn to group of persons earn
estly engaged in watching two vessels just
visible far down the harbor.
"What is it, my friends ?'' he asked in
a frank, hearty tone, as he joined them.
''The tender again chasing a schooner,
sir" answered an old tar, touching the
point of his hat, as he noticed the anchor
button on the officers coat.
" Here's spy glass, SIR said a mas
ter's mate who stood near, and at the same
time respectfully handing it to him.
THANK you, my man." answered the
lieutenant with smile, as he took the in
strument and placed it to his eye.
BY it's aid he could cleary distinguish
an armed schooner, of about ninety tons,
crowding sail in chase of fore-and-after,
that was making every eXertion to escape,
both by towing and throwing water upon
the sails
"The chase is about half a mile ahead,
sir" said the masters mate "but the
tender sails like shark in chase of dol
phin The fore-and- after don't stand a
chance of getting in past the fort
"The tender can sail, and | am the one
that ought to know it," said a stout wea
ther beaten looking man. "She WAS a
pilot boat, and the fastest craft that ever
danced over the waves. Three weeks ago
| and my crew were out in her, when yon
English frigate suddenly made her ap-
pearance out Of fog bank and brought us
to. But | took my yawl and pulled for
the land league away, and escaped; for
the fog was so thick the Englishman could
not get glimpse of me. It's my schoon-
er they've turned into tender, sir, and
that's made so many captures the last
three weeks of our small coasters"
"She carries forty men and long thr-
ty-two. 50 | hear" observed seaman in
the group
"And is commanded by luff and reef
er," added the masters mate.
9" 1t would be blessing" observed a
man-o wars man. who had not yet spoken
g if that craft could be caught mapping
1t amt safe for a sloop to put her nose out
of the harbor, beyond the cape; but while
the frigate was there alone, they could slip
along in light water, and show her their
heels. But now, everything that ventures
out is brought to by that long gun of the
tender's'
"That's a fact" responded another sea
man. "She has taken or driven back to
port no less than twenty-six craft in the
last three weeks. | shall be glad, for one
when our frigate lying off there gets her
armament aboard for then | think we'll
swallow the English frigate outside, and
pick our teeth with the tender"
All these remarks were heard by the
young officer who all the while continued
to look through the spy-glass at the tender
and her chase.
"There goes gum" cried several spec
tators, a jet aud flash of azure smoke
came from the tenders bows.
That is bold enough" observed the
young officer, as # speaking his thoughts
aloud, " the impudent tender is almost up
with the fort, and dares to fireat the chase
in the very face of the batteries"
1t is only to try and do her mischief,
sir" said the masters mate for she
finds the fore and after will escape her-so
she fires gun to cut away something"
ou are right, my man." observed the
officer, for she has cut about and stands
seaward again"
lie continued to watch the retiring ten
der for some moments in silence.
dts pity we hadn't an armed cutter
in port that would sail faster than she can,
so that we might give her a chase OUT
said a lad, approaching the group. His
dress was that of midshipmau, and his
air singularly free and fearless.
:" All. Frank, are you there." said the
lieutenant. "When did you get back
from your fathers p
81 Last night. | was in hopes to find
the ship ready for sea, Mr.. PercvaI but /
am told it will be three weeks before we
can get away. | want to have brush
with John Bulls frigate, who hovers off
and on the harbor with such bravadoing.
When did you get in town, sir :"
Yesterday morning. Have YOU been
witnessing the pretty chase down the bay,
Frank =
Yes, would give a years pay if
could have hand in catching that..rocue."
- Come aside with me- said the officer
putting his arm in that of the midshipman.
" Your words but express my own wishes.
I have conceived plan for capturing that
tender"
+" In what way 7" demanded the youth
Il will show YOU The tenders game
appears to be coasting vessels, from which
she takes men to impress il the British
navy, and also plumbers the craft OF such
things as they contain which are of any
value. My plan is to charter a sloop, the
worst looking one that it is possible to find
in port, vet tolerable sailor, for she must
work well, and readily obey her helm.
will load her decks with hen coops, filled
with poultry, pens crammed with pigs, and
a few sheep and a calf or two by way of
variety. You laugh, Frank. but the com
mander of the tender will find it no laugh
able matter If succeed as | anticipate.
shall ship about thirty-tive men and conceal
them in the hold, and taking command OF
ray craft with only one hand visible OF
deck, shall set sa.. out OF the haroor-