Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-02-11

over the side, held by stout hawsers, and not
seen because sunk beneath the water the
schooner did not go more than three knots, al
thongh-under full spread of canvas-she
seemed to be running away from her aftago-
mist which could now be seen coming up hand
over hand, her decks crowded with men, and
her ports showing a battery of twenty -four
guns.
On she came, the red cross of ST. George
Haunting from her peak, until she was within
nearly mile of the schooner when she fired
shot from one of her bow guns.
"Show them our colors and name I" cried
the young captain, while his pale face flushed
with smile of terrible joy. rT
1t was done in an instant; but the vessels
head was not changed, nor sail touched.
Rapidly the Englishman closed up, heading
little to leeward, as to range under her
larboard beam.
Crouch well behind the bulwarks, men;
stand by your larboard guns, but do not touch
a match until the order comes from my lips
depress your guns, so as to take her between
wind and water Sail-trimmers, stand to your
sheets and braces, and be ready for order"
These orders given, Captain Seawaif took
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
"Hanl down your colors, or I'll sink you'll
Strike you Yankee REBEL strike y shouted
the English captain, who stood on the poop of
his vessel in full uniform, steadying himself by
holding on to the mizzen rigging.
81 am just going to strike-not my colors,
but you" cried Seawaif, sarcastically, and
instantly giving the order to pour in his whole
broadsde. r..
1t was done with terrible effect, for the Brit
ish had not anticipated resistance from a rebel
whom they supposed to be using his best eff
| forts to escape, and were huddled along the
| deck on the side next the schooner, and were
cut down in fearful swaths. And as the sails
were little injured, the sloop-ofwar 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 chain shot as well as
grape-and cut her sticks away P' cried Sea-
wait
Then ordering the helm up, as the schooner's
Roadway increased, he veered off athwart the
stern of the sloop; and as the guns came in
range, delivered a raking fire, which not only
swept her decks, but cutting away her masts,
crippled her completely.
He then hauled on wind, determined to
pepper her until she should Strike" and not
wishing to lose any man at close quarters, if
he could help it. But he had no occasion to
shock, which shook the sea and the air like an
earthquake, the Inflated craft was seen to fly
in fragments, amid a cloud of smoke, into the
air.
Whether by accident or design, no one could
tell, but, in some way, the powder in her mag
azine had been ignited, and she was blown to
atoms. n
Prompted by humanity, Captain Seawaif in
stantly ordered the helm up, and steered for
oTNntr ytOrp ,1,o - Ill L..
hopes to save some surviving persons of her
crew.
But not a living soul could be seen. A
few blackened spars and timbers only met the
eye.
'Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu zis is too bad
Not one man to amputat-not one ball for ex-
tract y said the doctor, with sigh and pit
eous grimace, as he looked in the water.
You may have better luck another time,
doctor" said Seawaif, as he gave orders to
trim sails and haul on a wind again ; for the
transports-having seen the fate of the pro-
tector-were now crowding sail, and trying
like flock of frightened sheep, to make their
escape from an opponent which had done such
fearful damage in so short time But the
schooner had no numbering cargo, and was
ready for combat, or a race, as occasion re-
qured.
This great revolutionary sea-story, from the
vigorous pen of Ned Buntline, will be contin-
ued, from where it leaves off here, in the
New YORK MERCURY, for Saturday, February
26th, 1853, which is now ready and for sale at
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curry is the largest handsomest, and most I'M
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