Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-08-17

epithets of a most uncomplimentary charac
ter, which nevertheless did him little injury
Turning the corner Of street, Grimshaw
paused moment to take breath, and wipe
the blood which streaming from the cut in
his forehead, nearly blinded him, when h,
was surrounded by several ill-looking fellows
armed with heavy bludgcons, who ordered
him to stand"
with tone of authority.
you'll find that out in good time" re-
piled the leader of the band, meanwhile vou
will please to go with us. You seem to be
fond Of fighting, by the cut of your jib and
the looks Of your phiz, and we will put you
IN the way OF getting double allowance OF
hard knocks in his majesty's service"
"Oh, replied Grimshaw, +" i understand
lis all right, you are the very men wanted
to fall in with. There's gang of fellows
just up that street who have played me a
scurvy trick. If you are quick on your
heels, you may pit them every one. Put
them fairly on board the Artaxeryes and III
give you fifty pounds"
Ha, ha! likely story, well got up, but
we are not quite green enough to listen to
such CANNON, and the officer nodded to one
collar,an gave it twitch as gentle remind
er that he must be moving. H.t-.
Hands off, you villain! I" exclaimed Grim
shaw. " Don'tyou know who you are laying
your unhalowed paws upony" and he shook
of the grasp of the sailor, and put himself in
a hostile attitude
Oh, no, that's your play, is tt" cried
! the commander Of the press-ganr. ave
fox. l., ,,e h., 1
my fine fellow. Down with him, bovsr' !
And greatly to the astonishment and dis
pleasure of the wrathful commander of the
ArtaXcrXcs, he was filled to the earth bv the
application of some two or three blndgcons
to his uncovered clanium, and was pretty
thoroughly drubbed afterwards into the bar
gain, by way of making him keep quiet after
he was down, and cease his terrible mpreca-
tons and threats ''
lie was again ordered to stand" and as
sisted to his feet by couple of stout sailors,
who grabbed him by the collar, and pressing
their knucklcs firmly against his throat, pre-.
vented him from making any further rcmon-
strancc in any other than an iraudiblc voice.
And in this inglorious manner, his face COW
cred with blood, his Failures swollen and dis
torted, and his head naked, and covered with
mousings--was the distinguished Captain of
his majcsty's ship Of the line Artaxcrxcs,
dragged along, handcuffcd, to the naval rem
devious, and showed not only unccremoni-
ously but rudely into an inner room among
some half dozen poor forlorn-looliipg and
! frightened sailors, who had been ruthessly
| seized while pursuing their lawful business
or pleasures captured by force of arms, and
destined to the harsh discipline, tlrudgery,
dangers, and brutal treatment of British
man of war; t.s..
Grimshaw suffered much anguish from the
! open wounds and contusions he had received
in his bold struggle for freedom, and remain
ed for some time silent, rejecting on his awl,
| ward situation, and occasionally giving utter
ance to a deep groan, extorted by anxiety
and pain. At length he fixed upon certain
course to adopt, and commenced kicking
away at the door at a great rate.
What's the row, nowy" grufily demand.
ed one of the gang who was stationed outside.
want to see the officer who commands
the rendezvous, Immediately" replied Grim
shaw, in tones somewhat subdued.
The dickens you dol Well ! rather
think you'll be disappointed He doesn't
look to advantage by candle light, but shows
better by day light" Thus saying the sailor
slammed too the door,
Grimshaw muttered some words and phrases
which did not place his character for piety
and resignation in the most favorable light.
After delay of a few minutes, he resumed
his exercise of kicking at the door, as if he
would shiver it to atoms.
The sailor again thrust his head into the
gloomy dungeon. Come, Delay that, ship
mate !" cried he, or well find a way of
bringing You to your bearings with q pair of
shacllles, so no more of that; 'tis contrary to
all rules"
'Onc word, shipmate! Only one word"
said Grimshaw in an mploring tone, and he
managed with some difficulty to abstract with
his manacled hands a piece of money from
the pocket Of his trowsers. "Here is n
guinea, my good fellow! Take it, but do
procure me five minutes conversation with
your commanding officer"
The sailor looked at the gold; n grim
smile came over his weather-bcaten features.
He consigned the guinea to the depths of his
trowsers pocket, and closed the door, saving
as he turned away, I'm tryI'
The gold as usual operated as a charm. -
He did try, and succeeded. In a few minu-
tes the door was again opened, and am officer
with swab on his left shoulder made his
appearance.
''And what do goa want, you mild man
nered and delicate-looking beauty 2" he in
quired as he turned the light of lantern on
the battered and disfgured countenance of
the unfortunate Post Captain.
/" | want to say few words to you in pri-
vate'
I'm private? What can you have to say
that all the world may not listen to, you
smooth faced Adonis? But never mind,
Jack, bring the fellow into the long room, and
| will listen to his palaver."
They entered the apartment, and Grim
shaw and the lieutenant were left together
Well, b auty," said the officer, "heave
ahead and twist your yarn. What is It ~
:" | am an officer in his majesty's service"
said Grmshaw, and request that you will
give me my discharge
:" An officer, hey? a pretty looking Off
Ger yon are" replied the incrcilulous lieuten-
ant, highly amused, and again pccring into
his face. What ship do you belong tor
The Artaxerxes.n
"WhatY the ship commanded by old Grim
shaw, surnamed Daredevilg ? That's a like
ly story! what would the old fellow say if he
knew one Of his officers was picked up ashore,