The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-02-16

"uu ,ie" hV selleu ePy-glass, ana Scai-
ned the vessels in sight.
What do you make her out, sir, if
you please ?" asked Mr.. Dooittle, whose
hopes for work aud prizc-money were now
on tho rise.
sec six vessels but they are yet
too far off to make cut whether they are
armed or not - was the reply.
Shall the gunner open the magazine
sir =
Yes, after all the galley.fres are put
out :"
The men went to their work. and their
respective stations quietly, but with
cheerful look, which betokencd a perfect
confidence in their vessel, and especially
in their officers.
An hour passed. and the vessels were
now hull-up ahead, yet Captain Seawaif
gave no orders either to alter the course
or shorten sail.
What about cur colors, sir ?'' asked
the lieutenant.
- You can run EN- up in rolls TO their
places, ready to pull out when l orde it,
Mr.. Doolittle," said the captain, still
keeping his glass directed toward the ap-
preaching ships.
The enemy were now rising fast, not
more than tour or five miles off; but the
merchantmen, obcying signals from the
sIoop-oi-war, which had evidently discov-
cred the nationality and character of the
schooner, by her rig, hauled Oh "a wind
and shortened sail, while the man-of-war
held her course under cloud of canvas
Take your stations for working ship ?
cried Seawaif The men bounded to the
sheets and braces Hard up the helm
ease off the sheets, and round in the weather
braces y cried the captain.
"Tarnal thunder you're not going to
run IRON one sloop-owar are you. sir ~
asked the Lieutenant, in agonized wonder.
Get out and rig two spars, with iron
enough on them to sink them, for draqs
drop one over each quarter, and ask no
impertinent questions, Mr.. Doolittle, said
the captain.
L beg your pardon, sir, a hundred
times-I thought you was goin' to run p
said the now delighted officer, as he has.
tened to obey the order.
Double-shot with grape and canister
-gunners to your stations ~ cried the
captain now, determinedly. Men, make
no noise when | announce it, but within
an hour that sloop.of.war shall strike her
flag, or we'll 90 down with ours fyinp
When she is taken, the merchantmen will
be easy prizes"
Had they not been cautioned the mon
would have cheered so loudly as to have
been heard on board Of the sloop.of.war,
After the drags were rugged and lower.
ed over the side, held by stout hawsers,
and not seen because sunk beneath the
water, the schooner did not 90 more than
three knots, although-under full spread
OF canvas-she seemed to be 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 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.
a." Show them our colors and name %
cried the young captain while his pale
face flushed with smile of terrible ioy.
1t was done in an instant; but the yes.
SEES head was not changed nor sail
touched.
Rapidly the Englishman closed up,
heading little to leeward, so 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 orders"
These orders given, Captain Seawaif
took his position on the larboard side of
the quarterback, aud with ill.concealed
delight saw the Englishman range along
until he was almost abeam.
Haul down your colors, or III sink
you! Strike, you Yankee rebel, strike :"
shouted the English captain, who stood on
the poop Of his vessel in full uniform.
steadying himself by holding on to the
mizzen rigging.
d" lam just going to Suikc-not my
colors, Out you !! cried Seawaif, sarcas-
tically, and instantly giving the order to
pour in his whole broadside.
1t was done with terrible effect, for the
British had not anticipated resistance from
rebel whom they supposed to be using
his best efforts to escape, and We're hud.
died along the deck on the side next the
schooner, and were cut down in fearful
swaths And as the sails we're little in.
jured, the sloop.ofwar shot ahead, so that
she was past the schooner before she could
return the broadside.
=" Cut away the drags, springs to your
starboard Sattery-throw in chain.shot as
well as grape-and cut her sticks away !"
cried Seawaif.
Then ordering the helm up, as the
schooner's Roadway increased, he veered
of athwart the stern OF the sloop and as
the guns came in range, delivered q ra-
king 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 size should "strike,"