The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-05-02
her course for the eastward, with fair

her course for the eastward, with fair
breeze.
For fifteen days the bark held on her
course without speaking sail. Several
were seen, but they did not appear to be
worth noticing, and all hands were begin
ming to be rather uneasy at the prolonged
monotony. At tlength, early on the morn
ing of the sixteenth day. the man at the
masthead sang out soul-cheering
Sail hop
Where away?' shouted Captain New
comb, who had just come on deck, at the
same time opening his glass
about two points on the weather.bow.
Can you make her out?'
She appears to be heavy ship, SIR
That's one of 'em, I'll bet,' exclaimed
the Captain, as radiant expression Of
hope lit up his features. Here. Mr.. Slo-
cum,' continued he, addressing his mate,
take your glass and go up into the main
top and watch that fellow
The Sally Ann was now heading south
east, close-hauled upon the larboard tack,
with good stiff breeze, and all sail set.
Masthead, there shouted the Captain,
after having taken several turns across the
deck, 'can you make out how she's stand
ing?'
'Ah, ay, sir, she's large ship, stand
ing to the north'ard, close hauled on the
staFboard tack
'Whew! but she's got little the start
of us, hasn't she? We ought to have
seen her two hours ago. Never mind,
we'll stand on spell longer, and then l
reckon we'll give 'em a race
In half an hour the ship was made out
to be heavily-loaded Indiaman, and Of
course returning from the East Indies.
She had run up the British flag at her
peak. and the bark had shown her stars
and stripes.
Ready about shouted Captain New
comb, as the flag unfolded itself at the
Sally AIMS peak; and in few moments
she was braoed up on the other tack, max
ing a course little to the leeward of the
ship, and about ten miles astern Of her.
The bark was by far the fastest sailer, for
she had been built purposely for it. and
the prospect was, that in few hours the
two vessels would scrape an acquaint'
ance.
During the next three hours much ex.
citement prevailed on board both vessels.
The Englishman evidently 'smelt the rat,
fo- his Yankee neighbor was suspicious
looking fellow, to say the least, and the
case was not at all enhanced by the sud
den tack and extra spread of canvas that
marked Brother Jonathan's course of pro
cedure, To tell the truth, the East India
men of that day had peculiar dread o.
starred and striped bunting under any cir
cumstances, but more especially when i
graced the peak of non-commissionee
cruiser. From man-of.war they expect
ed some chance for an international ad
justment, but at the hands of Yankee
privateer it was sure to be general de
livery of all valuables, without the slight
est possible chance for an equivalent A
the end of two hours the Sally Ann hat
gained nearly five mile on the merchant
man, and fired gun. The ships crev
were now positive of the character @
their pursusr, and in few moments afte
the Yankee fred his gun, they fell off sev
eral points and hoisted their studding
sails. Nothing could have suited CAP
tain Newcomb better than this movemen
of the Englishman.
Now, my boys, shouted the Yanke
Captain, while he fairly danced with dc
light, we've got the weather-gage of ZEN
and if we don't make 'em shell out som
; of their valuables before night, then m
name aint Newcomb-that's all. Kee
her away couple of points; that's it
steady-so. Maintop, therep
'Ay, ay, SIR
Clear away your starbeard studdine
sails. Fore.top, there-starboard stud
ding sails. Be lively, boys, and you sha
all have finger in the Indiaman's pie.'
In few minutes the Sally AIMS STUD
ding.sails were set, and long crest I
white foam rolled of from her bows an
swept away to the leeward like snow
mountain. In half an hour longer tt
8 Englishman had crossed the bark's cours
:, and the latter vessel had every advantag
The ship had mistaken her pursuer's sal
}, ing qualities, for with free wind ;h'
II vessel had gained faster than when bot
were close-hauled. The Yankee was no
near enough to make ont her neighbor
exact state. She was ship of abo1
twelve hundred tons. heavily loade
: mounting ten guns, five on each side. al
;. carrying full complement of men.
'I'm afraid we shall find an ugly Gu
e toner there remarked the mate, poiEtir
to the full deck of the Indiaman.
P why, Mr.. Slocum, you are not afra
} of that fsller, are your remarked CAPITA
u Newcomb. as he ran his eye along Il
q immense proportions of old Kennebe,
u as the long, forty-two pound gun W
= familiarIy termed Let's give her asalu
and see if we can't heave her to-
?, One of the carronades was fred, b
10 the shin took no notice of the summon