Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-06-04

wind, sir, and give chase. In the meantime,
will try and make out what they are" SO say
ing, the commander slung telescope around
his neck, and mounted lightly to the masthead.
1t was, perhaps, half an hour before he came
down; in the interval, the chase had become
plainly visible from the deck.
"Thcy are running with the wind free, right
across our bows, and cannot, | think, have
made us out yet" said he. al should Judge
they were merchantmen so keep your huff,
sir, and we may yet chance to carry good prize
into port"
In half an hour more the sloop had so nearly
closed with the chase as to make them out. The
unerring eye of her commander was the first to
distinguish their character.
1.-Two Of them are merchantmen, and the
third take for an armed transport. Hoist
your flag, NJ. Olney," said he, getting down
from the rigging which he had again ascended.
I" See! sir what is that?' asked the leuten-
ant calling his commanders attention, which
had been momentarily drawn aside
=" Hai the merchantmen are hauling their
wind; the transport still holds on. The lub-
berly monster shows fight, hap He shall hare
IL! Up with our ensign, sir, and keep well to
win'ard; we must have the weather gage, il
possible; it will go hard if we cannot cripple
him with our "long Tom" before his pop guns
do us much damage"
Almost with the command there rose to the
peak of the sloop roll of bunting, which, when
unfblded to the breeze, displayed the gorgeous
blazonry Of stripes which now form the ground
of our National flag; but, instead OF its azure
field of stars, there was in the centre serpent
in the act of striking, with the motto, Don't
tread on me-
The transport, which appeared only to mount
few spar-deck guns, was fast closing with the
sloop, and with seeming confidence in her own
strength, steered directly for her opponent with
out due regard for preserving that weatherly
position deemed so important in a naval con-
flict, and for which the American commander
was manruvreing. Satisfied as to his adver-
sary's intentions, and seeing that he appeared
over-con6dant of lis superiority, the American
became still more anxious for the weather gage,
which would allow him to choose his own posi-
ton and avoid being run aboard, as he had no
doubt il was the intention of the British ship TO
doi with this view, he kept edgng to the wind
ward on the same tack. Just as he thought
however, that it was time to change his course
a favorable shift of wind gave him still greater
advantage, and, putting his sloop about he
reached far to windward Of his adversary. This
man9livre was evidently as much mistaken on
board the English ship, as it will appear that
her character was by the American.
Ha! the rebel has made US out" ex-
claimed the British captain. Well, we have
him, by Cd, There is not sloop in the
colonies can hold her own with our frigate on
a wind, though it shrewdly calculated by
the Yankee. Up with your flag, and down with
your ports Well blow him out Of water, un-
less he yields at once
Surely, sir" said the officer to whom the
order was addressed, and who had been exam
lining the sloop through his glass, that is the
very chap we are after"
"What-,-. Net Il gun there he shall sur
render to the very show of the authority he so
insolently dcfes-,he rebel, the TRAITOR. the
ID pirate"
The frgate, whose character became at once
apparent, as her numerous portfolios flew open,
and frowning battery protruded from her
sides, was quickly hauled by the wind, and then
commenced one of those contests which, for
the actors therein, crowd the emotions of life
time into few hours.
"lou have gave us warning a little too
quick, John Bull exclaimed the American
captain; land you must have the heetest frig-
ate in his majesty's navy, if you thi.k to over
haul my bonnie little craft"
For the first hour every expedient which
seamenship could suggest was used TO increase
the speed Of the vessels and, to his utter
tonishment, the commander Of the sloop found
that the frgate had eN identity the h .els of him
and that, in their present mode of sailing n
few hours would render his capture inevitable.
lie was man, however, of infinite resources,
and iron nerve.
Throw the log Mr.. Olney," said he, "we
are certainly doing wel and yet yonder craft
is oyerhauling us, in manner that smells of
an English prison."
The order was instantly obeyed, and the re-
suit reported.
Six and a-half knots on taut bowline in
this breeze-she is the fastest frigate that ever
carried King Georges bunting"
81 have heard, sir" said lieutenant Olney,
" that the Soleway, on wind, is as fleet, and
almost as weatherly as the fastest schooner
"Then it is She and in our present position
we are no match for her, Olney. j know what
prejudices there are against my name among
our enemies, and when entered the service of
the colonies swore never to be taken alive. l
would not wantonly sacrifice my crew, however;
yet think could battle yon naughty Briton,
though at fearful risk, l confess"
"Give the word, sir, and there is not man
on board who will finch, if they blow us out
of water the first broadside" answered the
young man, enthusiastically.
"Well said, my brave fellow! The colonies
could not well spare such spirits to rot in an
English dungeon, while the glorious battle Of
liberty goes on! Now, for work station hands
at the peak halyards-let them stand by to
lower the peak at the word, and to ease off the
main boom; keep the jb-sheet fast until we
pay off, and then when l give the signal, hoist
away the peak, and send every man below ex-
cept a guns crew for the long Tom"
AYE! aye sir" replied the lieutenant
cheerfully, as he prepared to obey the com
mand
Bold and desperate, indeed was the maneuvr,
which these orders indicated but prompt ant
unquestioning obedience was the discipline oil
board the sloop, and they were sooa prepared
to carry out the views of their commander
|, The gallant hero, who held the destinies Of tina
faithful crew in his hands, was never known tC
/ bla, ch or waver when purpose was onct
formed, and his spirit had infused itself il t.
those under him; they knew and trusted him
, Having seen every thing arranged as he direct
ed, the American commander now took his sta
ton by the helmsman. At this moment tn
E frigate had come up in almost musket range
but not shot was fired, the British command
: er feeling sure of his prey, and watching her a
, hawk might partridge.
"We'll carry the ID traitor to Londo
in irons, and show him in cage" said he L
n his subordinate. He cannot hold out muc