Smyrna times., 1859-02-10
AN EXCITING SEA Story OF THE REVOLUTION
S E A w AIF;
OR, THE
R0R OF THE COAST.
A TALE OF PRIvATEERING IN l776.
CHAPTER |.

| IRA like ID know your history, Captain Sea
walt-Fd like very much TO know your history
sir! think I've a right to sir-a right, yol
understand And if there is any one thing
which | stick out for more peremptorily tha
another, it is right, sir-right! That is why
PhIneas Crlngle, merchant, et-cet-e-rG, et-cet.e
rG, am an open and avowed patriot, sir. Ole
England is wrong, and Young America is right
Therefore, I'm with her. You are a young
man, yet you come so well recommended to mt
as skllltul seaman, fearless man and an hon
est one, wihal, that like you, Though you're
not so rough in the figure head as good sea dog,
generally are. ] have given you command o
the 'Tyrannicide,' as good craft as floats OF
salt water-well manned, well officered, wei
armed, et.cet.e.rG-et. Get era =; and know iha
she'll be we'll commanded. But your history
sir, your history -
"At present, have no history worth listen
ing to, Mr.. Cringe; but will try TO write one
with my sword which all the world can read -
This conversation occurred at the commence
ment Of that revolution which gave freedom tC
the United Colonies of America, in the store o
the first speaker, Mr.. Phineas Cringle, "mer-
chant, eject era" as he always called himself
lie was curious but good old man-very
eccenirlc IN his ways. but as sound at heart as
young, unshaken oak. His age was full six
~, aud 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 Crngle, his bloom
ing daughter, who was just eighteen.
Mr. Crngle's short, thck-set figure was
dressed in a claret, shad- belied coat buff waist
coat, knee. breeches, (cIaret. like his coat
white cotton 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 con-
spicuousy 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 appear
ance quiet, and exceedingly genteel. But
when his eye looked upon you, there was a
something in its cold, clear deplh-a something
IN the expression of his curved lip, that told
you, that when manhood was needed, he was
there, in spite OF the deicacy of his appear.
ance. His dress was a naval frock coat, with
epaulet straps upon the shoulders plain panta-
lpOns and boots, and a blue naval cap. He
wore no weapons Ihere-yet he looked like one
who could wear a sword gracefully, and use it
skillfuly.
"You can at least tell me where you was
born, sir !" said Mr.. Crngle, pursuing his OBJ
ject.
al cannot tell where was born, or even who
my father or mOthor was" replied the young
captain. "As my name indicates, am literal.
ly UGiT of the sea. Drifted ashore from a
wreck upon little island at the southwest cor
ner of Nantucket Shoal, | was taken from a
chest into which l had been laid by the hands
of noble and good old man who had left the
world to live hermit life there. He named
me Edward Seawa f-the first name his own
the latter, in remembrance of the manner in
in which came to him. No living thing but
my self reached the land. That old man, Ed
ward Zane, was more than father or mother TO
me-he hated a world which had wronged him
much; but he loved me al! the more that | had
seen nothing oft. To him owe everything"
" You had no history, you said, sir No his
tory, indeed!' said Mr.. Cringle. "Why, sir
already you are a hero of romance. muSi
find out who your father and mother were, et-
cet.e-rG. et-cet rG! Was there nothing beside
you in the chest when the good old man found
you!"
Yes, sir-a Bible quantity ofclothing nd
iewels-some of it evidently belonging TO a
lady Of rank and fashion for il was very rich.
"Any name in the Bible, on the jewelry oI
clothing, et-cet.e rG ~
"No, sir, none-except a crest and coat-of
arms that were on q seal ring, and also engrav'
ed on various articles of jewery which pos
sess for when the good old hermit died, he
begged me TO keep, ihem-in hopes that they
might lead to the discovery of my family"
ayes, he Was right-very right. What wat
this crest and coat.of-arms!' asked the mcr
chant.
1.-TWO arms and hands grasping crossed
swords over a corOnet, for the crest; II shielC
with diamonds and .feUr de lis for the coat-Of
arms"
"Umph--noble blood the .feur de lis il
French, or was once - sad the old merchant
writing in his memorandum-book. "Fve go
something to do-Tll find out who your parent
were or are Cfer they may yet be liVing), If
have to hunt over the heraldry of all the world
But, come up stairs, captain, we'll take a glas
of doughter Kate's brewing and then we'll g
aboard Of the 'Tyrannicide, and see how mat
ters 60 there. suppose you'll go to sea in tn
morning"
"Yes, sir" said Seawaif. following the mel
chant to the dwelling part of his house. whIc
was in the upper part of his store and ware
house-a thing very common in those days.