Smyrna times., 1859-02-17

| The men went to their work, and their re-
spective stations quietly, but with cheerful
look. which betokened perfect confidence in
their vessel, and especially in their officers.
! An hour passed. aud the vessels were now
hull-up ahead, yet Captain Seawaf gave no NJ
ders either to alter the course or shorten sail.
&" What about our colors, sir!'' asked the
IieuteA9nt.
You can run 'cm up in rolls to their places,
ready to pull out when | order it, Mr.. Dooit.
tle," said the captain, sull keeping his glass
directed toward the approaching ships.
The enemy were now rising fast, not more
than four or FIVE miles off; but the merchant.
men, Obeying signals from the sloop-of war,
which had evidently discovered the nationality
and character OF the schooner, by her rig,
hauled on a wind and shortened sail, while the
man-Of-war held her Course under a cloud OF
canvass.
Take your stations for working sh Pr cried
Scawait The men bounded to the sheets and
oraceS 'Hard up the helm-ease off the
sheets, and round in the weather braces - cried
the captain.
Tarnal thunder you're not goin' to run
from one slOop-O'-war, are you, sir !' asked the
Lieutenant. in agonlzed wonder.
"Get out and rig two spars, with iron enough
on them to sink them, for drags; drop over
each quarter, and ask no mpertinent questions,
Mr. DoolIttle," said the captain, quietly.
q beg your pardon, sir, hundred tImes-I
thought you was u g0in' TO run !" said the now
delighted officer, he FASTENED to obey the or
der.
Double shot with grape and canister-gun-
ners to your stations :" cried the capta n, now,
determinedy. "Men, make no noise when
announce it. but within an hour that slnop.nf-
war shall strike her fag, or We'll go down with
ours flying! When she is taken, the merchant
men will be easy prizes"
Had they not been cautioned the men " ould
have cheered so loudly as TO have been heard
on board of the siOOp of. war.
After the drags were rugged and lowered over
the side, held by stout hnwsers, aud not seen
because sunk beneath the water, the schooner
did not go more than three knots, although
under a full spread of canvass-she seemed TO
6e running away from her antagonist which
now could be seen coming up hand over hand,
her decks crowded with men, and her ports
showing battery of twenIy-four guns.
On she came, the red cross OF ST. George
haunting from her peak, untIl she was within
nearly mis- of the schooner, when she fired
shot from one of her bow guns.
"Show them our culors and name - cried
the young captain, while his pale face flushed
with smile OF terrible jny.
1t was done IN an instant; but the vessels
head was not changed, nor sail touched.
Rapidly the Englishman closed up. hea ding
little 10 lee%ard, as to range under her lar.
board beam.
"Crouch we'll behind the bulwarks, men !;
! stand by yunr lar5Oard guns but do not touch
match until the order comes from my lips; de-
press your guHs so as to take her between wind
and water! Sah.Irlmmers, stand to your
sheets aud braces, aud be ready for orders"
! These orders given. Captain Seawufiook his
position on the larboard side of the quarter
deck, and with ill-concealed delight saw the
Englishman range along until he was almost
| abeam,
Haul down your colors, or I'll sink yOu.-
Strike, you Yankee rebel, strike - shouted
the English captain, who slOod on the poop Of
his vessel in full uniform, sIeadyng himself by
holding on TO the mzzen rigging.
I'm just going To Strike-not my colOrs, bur
you ~ cried SeawaIf, sarcastcalIy, and instant.
| ly giving the order to pour IN nls whole broad
side.
( II was done with terrible effect. for the Brit
ish had not antlc pated resistance from rebel
whom they supposed to be using his best efforts
10 escape, and were huddled along the deck on
the side next the schooner, and were cut down
in fearful swaths. Aud as the sails were little
injured, the sloop- shot ahead, so that she
was past The schooner before she could return
the broadside.
"Cut away the drags spring to your star
board battery-throw IN cha .n-shOl as well a.
grape-and cut her sticks away!" cried Sea
waif.
Then ordering the helm up, as the schooner
headway increased, he veered off athwart the
stern of the sloop; and the guns came ia
Iali fin ,thic 4,
swept her decks. but cutting away her nasts
crippled her completely.
He then hauled on a wind, determined Il
pepper her uatil she should strike" and no
wishing to lose any men at close quarters, if h.
could help il. But he had no occasion TO US
his guns any more; for, suddenly, with shock
which shook the sea and the air like an earth
quake, the ll-fated craft was seen TO fly IN fra g
. menIs, amid cloud of smoke, into the air.
Whether by accident or design, no one coul
= " tell, but, in some way, the powder in her ma
: gazne had been igniied, ond she was blown t
!, atoms.
/. Prompted by humanity, Captain Seawaif il
stantly ordered the helm up, and sleered for th
~ spot where the sloop-of- war had been, 10 hope
T. to save some surviving persons OF her crew.
But not living soul could be seen. A fe
k. blackenel spars and timbers only met the ey
.d "Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! zis is too bad :
Not one man to amputnt-not one ball for e,
IA tract." said the doctor, with sigh and piteo
=. grimace, as he looked 10 the water.
or "You nay have better luck another tim
A DOCTOR" said Seawaif, as be gave orders 10 tri
:, sails and haul on wind again; for the tran
ii ports-having seen the fate OF their protector.
=, were now crowdng sail, and trying, like fio
" of frightened sheep, to make their escape fro
80 an opponent which had done such fearful dar
=, age in so short time. But the schooner h
!, no NUMBERING cargo, and was ready for COZ
.rs bat or race, as occasion required. s
iii This great revolutionary sea-story, from 4
be vigorous pen of Ned Buntline, viii be continue
ss from where Il leaves of here. in the New YoI
MERCURY, for Saturday, February 26th, ls5
i' which is now ready and iof sale az oil news