The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-07-06

the occasional command Of the officer Of the
watch, and the creaking masts straining before
the breeze, the tramping OF the men upon the
deck, or their voices raised in some sweet mel
ody of home; and thon his mind reverted back
he too had home where was O'Neil, was he
trying to effect his rescue? he could not tell
Where was Fanny? and his became moistened
with an unbidden tear. She perhaps was hap
py, surrounded by her friends, and in that tho
could he not also be happy. aa..
The ship kept bounding on her way. The
change Of watches told the midnight hour
She was rushing like sea bird past the Isle OF
Poplars, and Wharton, the Commander, was
asleep in the cabin; when two dark objects
shot out from a cave in the shore, little nearer
right across her bow and they were seen to be
two boats with giant strokes leapng toward
the ship. "Boat ahoy!' was sung through the
speaking trumpet. A bright flash, that lit up
for a moment the dark sea, loud report was
their answer, and the ball came rickoting o'er
the waves, piercing the main mast; it quivered,
tottered and Iel over the side wreck. away
men-clear the wreck. man the guns was
sang out in quick succession by Wharton, who,
aroused by the report of the gun had rushed on
deck. Quickly the men flew to their places.
The gun boats, for such they were, had now
pulled in on each side. "Fire!" shouted Whar-
ton, and a sheet of fame burst from the lar
board, but at the same moment the boat had
pulled ahead, which throw her bows out of the
range Of the shot, and she received the fire on
the stern which was torn out Nothing daun-
ted the Yankees, headed by the midshipman,
rushed along the boat and clambered up the
side, O'Neil among the rest, but as they were
struggling for foot hold on the deck he was
knocked senseless by the blow of spear
The other boat being protected by the fallen
mast boarded more easily. The ships crew
was now assaed on all sides, although but
half armed they fought like demons, yet they
were overpowered and driven below. Whar-
ton fought like wounded tiger; but finding
his ship in the possession of the Americans, he
came forward and presented his sword to the
midshipman, who refused it..
"Keep it and wear it," said he nobly, II
You of course will consider yourself prisoner
Of war But you have prisoner, where is he?
All, there he is" and he walked quickly over to
the hatchway from which Teddy and Lreuten-
ant Manton had just emerged; the Irishman
having went to him and knocked off his chains
during the action.
"Any orders, Mr.. Manton?' said the Irish
man, touching his cap.
"What do you mean2" asked George, won
dcringly.
"Why, sir, don't you remember me, midShip-
man Hardin, formerly of the Taurus
GLOW are you hero?' shaking his hand
warmly,
~ was transferred to the gun-boat service.
and as you are my superior officer, of course
you are commander of the Vixen" .r
"Whcre is the American crew2--they shall
decide"
"three cheers, three cheers" and loud shout
went up from the brazen throated gun boat
men.
"Thcn, Mr.. Hardin, you will please act as
Lieutenant, and will have your rank coufrm-
ed on our arrival at Baltimore" ..
Another shout went up at this announce
ment, but the midshipman could only look his
thanks. . s
The sloop was now cleared, the dead cast iu-
to the sea and the wounded cared for; then
sail was made on a jury mast for Elkton to
land the prisoners and repair damages 0'Neils
wound was not very serious, he had received
q heavy blow on the head, which stunned him;
but in day or two he was able to give George
an account of his movements since his escape,
and how it was agreed between him and the
midshipman to give him the command of the
sloop
The prisoners were placed in the care o
O'Neil at Elkton. In a few days the Vixen
was repaired and fully manned, and on her way
to Baltimore to act in concord with Commo-
Rogers gun boat flotilia. Arriving at Balti-
more theyheard of the unsuccessful assault o
the British on the city by land and water; o
the brave resistance Of their countrymen, and
of the departure Of Cochran with his whole
force for New Orleans.
George was confirmed in the rank of Cap
tain, and Hardin as first Lieutenant Of the slooI
by Commodore Rogers.
Caption Manton was of course oveTjoyed a
the repulse Of the British, but chagrined at thu
escape of Parker. Calling the men aft he
spoke; Americans, l have said you shoult
have plenty Of fighting to do, and | mean t.
make my word good. The enemy have sale.
for New Orleans, | mean to follow them, er
gage the brig Argentine, and more than tha
blow her and her piratical commander out &
the water Havre dc Grace shall be avenged
Although the brig is our superior in number I
men and weight Of metal; yet remember WI
are Americans who fight for the untrammelleI
freedom ofathe seas and to revenge our insult
ed flag After that plenty of prize money shal
line yeur pockets Is it tright?" au. 5 /. -i4' -
. And three long, loud and hearty cheers wa
his only answer, and the on,y one he desired.
"Be dad, now, by the howly hoppin Sain
Pathrick, isn't the Captain one Nv en-" roarec
Teddy who gloried in the honors and soJrique
of Coxswain, and was a universal fayorite with
the crew. f'eat3 ag"1s4@t 9Hs n"@ ttf'
"Then men, all | ask is to do your duty
Crowd all sail for New ,0rleans?" ~ e''a ~
a7"Ays, aye, sir," shouted the willing crew, al
they few to their posts. pThe anchor was ship
ped and slowed away all taut in the bows; tn,
heavy yards swung round and the sloop fl
away before tile breeze, which filling the Whit
sails, the Vixen went careening down the Bay