Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1859-02-10
An Exciting Sea Story of the Revolution!
SEAwAIF7
OR, THE TERROR OF THE COAST.
A TALE OF PRIvATEERING IN 1776
CHAPTER I.


"1d like to know your history, Captain Sea-
wai-Id like very much to know your history,
sir! l think I've right to sir-a right, you
understand. And if there is any one thing
which | stick out for more peremptorily than
another, it is right, sir-rigAt! That is why l.
Phineas Crngc, merchant, et-cet-e-ra, et-cet-e-ra
am an open and avowed patriot, sir. Old Eng
land is wrong, and Young America is right.
Therefore, I'm with her. You are young man,
yet you come so well recommended to me as a
sklElful seaman, fearless man and an honest
one, w5thal, that I like you, though you're not
SO rough in the fgure-head as good sca-degs ge-
neraly are. have given you command of the
@fyrannicide, as good Il craft as floats on salt
water-wcll manned, we'll Differed well armed,
et-ccs-e-rd-et-cet-e-ra; and | know that she'll
be well commanded. But your history, sir,
your history p
cat present, have no history worth listen
ing to, Mr.. Cringlc; but will try to write one
with my sword which all the world can read p
This conversation occurred at the commence
ment OF that revolution which gave freedom to
the United Colonies of America, in the store of
the first speaker, Mr.. Phineas Cringle, "mer-
chant, et-cet-e-ra," as he always called himself.
He was curious, but good old man-very
eccentric in his ways, but as sound at heart as
young mistaken oak. His age was full sixty,
and his long, natural hair was white as snow,
and hung in masses down about his neck but
his close-shaven face was as smooth and as rosy
almost as that of Kate Cringle, his blooming
daughter, who was just eighteen.
Mr.. Cringles short, thick-set figure was dress
ed in a claret, shad-bellied coat buff waistcoat,
knee-breeclscs (clarct, like his coat, white cot
ton long hose, with immense silver buckles in
his shoes. Upon his head he wore the tri-
cornered continental hat Of the day, with red,
white and blue cockade placed SO conspicuously
on it. that all who looked might see that he did
not fear to wear the sign of patriot American.
The person whom he spoke to was a young
man, probably twenty-five years of age. His
eyes were large, dark blue, and shaded by long,
brown lashes; his flowing hair and soft, glossy
beard was Of rich, dark brown his figure was
slight, yet very graceful; his entire appearance
quiet and exceedingly gentec. But when his
eye looked upon you, there something in
its cold, clear depth-a something in the ex-
preston of his curved lip, that told you, that
when manhood was needed, he was there, in
spite Of the delicacy of his appearance. His
dress was a naval frock-coat, with epaulet
straps upon the shoulders, plain pantaloons
and boots, and a blue naval cap. He wore no
weapons there-yet he looked like one who
could wear a sword gracefully, and use it skill
fully. att
b4You can at least tell me where You was born,
SIR r said Mr.. Cringle, pursuing his object.
81 cannot tell where was born, or even who
my father or mother was" replied the young
captain. GAS my name indicates, l am literal
" acaf of the sea: Drfted ashore from a
wreck upon 1itt1e island at the southwest cor
ncr of Nantucket Shoal, was taken from a
chest into which had been laid by the hands
of a noble and good old man who had left the
world to live hermit life there He named me
Edward Seawaif-the first name his own the
latter, in remembrance of the manner in which
Tcame to him. No living thing but myself
reached the land. That old man, Edward Zane,
was more than father or mother to me-he
hated world which had wronged him much !;
but he loved me all the more that had seen
nothing Of it. To him I owe everything"
"You had no history, you said, sill? No his
tory. indeedw cried Mr. Cringle. "Why, sir,
already you are hero of romance. must find
out who your father and mother were, et-cet-e-ra,
es-cet-e-ra! Was there nothing beside you in
the chest when the good old man found you ?"
ayes, sir--a Bible, quantity of clothing and
iewels-some of it evidently belonging to a lady
of rank and fashion; for it was very rich"
s.Any name in the Bible, on the jewelry or
clothing, st-cet-e-aa2" i.-;.....
EMO sir, none-cxccpt crest and coat-of
arms that were on seal ring and also engraved
ON various articles of jewelry which possess /;
for when the coed old hermit died, he begged
me to keep them,--in hopes that they might
lead to the discovery of my family.
Yes, he was right-very right. What was
this crest and coat-of-arms?" asked the mer-
chant.
s:Two arms and hands grasping crossed
swords over coronet, for the crest a shield
with diamonds and aeur de lis for the coat Of
arms. 80
ssUmph-noble blood: the .3qeur de Us is
French, or was once !" said the old merchant,
writing in his memorandum-book. GIVE got
something. to DOLL find out who your parents
were or are (for they may yet be iving), It l
have to hunt over the heraldry of all the world.
But. come up stairs, captain, we'll take glass
Of punch Of daughter Hates brewing; and then
veil 90 aboard of the 'Tyrannicide,' and see
how matters GO there. I suppose you'll go to
sea in the morning r
eyes, sir" said Seawaif, following the mer-
chant to the dwelling part of his house, which
was in the upper part of his store and ware
house-a thing very common in those days.
sld1 CHAPTER II.
aIsnt she beauty Taut and neat aloft
trim and saucy below, et-cet-e-r0" said Mr.
Cringle, as he and the young captain stood upon
the wharf and looked at craft which lay al
anchor in the little harbor.
She was, for that era, astonishingly clipper
ish, raking in .spars, sharp in hull, and calcu-
lated to carry an astonishing quantity of canvas
Her rig was that of a two-topsail schooner-hel
lower masts being very long and heavy, SO as t.
carry large -and-aft sails. Her tonnage ap
neared to be about three hundred tons. She
was pierced. for eight twenty-four pound CAIRO.
nades on side; and long brass thirty-twt
FOUNDER, working on a pivot, shone bright a!
r1d between her masts, mounted high enough
70 work above Ter hammock nettings. Aroune