The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-05-02
WooDsFIELD MONROE COUNTY OHIO MAY g. 1860

MONROE COUNTY, OH
was soon laden to the waters edge with
a portion of her cargo. This was taken
to the bark, and the boat returned for an
other load. The long-boat was nearly
full second time, when hurried exclama-
tion from the officer of the deck arrested
the attention of Mr.. Slocum, who was
down in the hold breaking out fine lot
of assorted silks. No sooner had he
caught the sound of the officers voice
and stopped from his labor, than he was
still more startled by the order that i'm.
mediately followed.
Hands by the weather main braces
man the lee braces! let go--haul in your
\ lee braces! Quick, men. Let sher fall
off point, quartermaster. That's it
stesdy-sop
The heavy ship gave plunge forward
as her main yards came to the wind, and
in a moment she was ploughing through
the water with her flag run up to the peak
anton doton. Mr.. Slocum sprang upon
the deck, followed by his men, and in a
moment he comprehended the whole mat
ter. Right ahead, about ten miles distant,
there loomed up the heavy spars of a
British sloop- of-war. The Indiaman's
having been between the bark and the
new sail prevented Captain Newcomb
from observing it, and he was not aware
of the approach of the man of.war till
several minutes after the prize had got
under headway.
The devil!' ejaculsted the Yankee Cap
tain, as he saw the ships main yards go
round, i wonder what's in the wind now.
Jehosaphat, there goes her flag, union
down. Somebody's coming. Main-top,
there
'Hullo!'
Go aloft, and see if there's anything
ahead of that ship
In few moments man sang out from
the top -gallant-yaH:
There's British man. Of war, SIR
'How does she bear?'
She's right ahead of the merchantmen
standing this way
!, Can you make he- out?'
She's a sloop-of-war, sir
Man the lee main. .braces-let go the
weather braces-round with the main"
, yard!' shouted Captain Newcomb, as he
sprang down from the horse block and
seized lighted match. Let her come
up to a point continued he, as he ran his
eye along the sight of old Kennebec.
, That's it-steady--so.'
r In moment after the Sally Ann came
up to the wind the long gun bore directly
upon the ships mizzen top, and the match
. was applied.
In the meantime the state Of affairs or
, board the Indiaman was peculiar. There
were thirteen of the Yankees crew on hel
e deck who stood in knot in the lee gang
way, without knowing which way to turr
or what course to pursue. The crew O
t the ship was composed Of Fifty able-bodi
D ed men, and against such odds of course
Mr.. Slocum did not for moment think
: of attempting any resistance. The En-
d glish Captain felt pretty secure, for less
d than half an hours sailing would bring
t him under the guns of the man-of>war
and then the Yankee might whistle fo
his men. His pleasant reverie was at thi
r moment somewhat disturbed by crasl
Il directly over his head, accompanied b,
S the heavy report of the long gun, ont
e the fragments of the mizzen.top wer
& scattered about the deck, while the mizzel
topmast came laundering down througl
o the cabin sky-light. The ship immediate
e ly fell off several points, and there wa
d not much prospect of bringing her u
J; again. In another moment chain-sho
k came whizzing over the Englishman'
head, ar6 the weather main-back stay
It and shrouds were carried away just be
Is low the top.
E Stand by the fore and main top.gallaH
y halliardsl' shouted the English Captain
Is while his face was blanched with terror
l. Let go! hands by the tepsail halliards-
le jump quick, men! Let go the topsail ha
liards-let go the sheets--clew up! Ma
<, the jib and fyipg-jib down-hauls-let 6
~ the halliards-hauf with will! Lead OF
II the fore and main clew garnets and bum
at lines-clear away the tacks and sheets
1r up with the courses! Clear away th
ct aiu.stay sail-man the halliards-up sh
D. goesl Send US up hawser from th
IN hold-Main top, there; send down
at haulne. Bend that line to tn
at hawser, and stand by to secure it to tt
Id lanyards of the weather main rigging
It took less time for the Captain
's give these hurried commands than "
as have been In writing them, and the ere
I'd worked smarty. In few minutes tt
as ship was laying to under her fore an
k. main stay-saiis and spanker, while pa
We of shrouds were rugged and set up, an
he the wreck of the mizzen topmast cleare
Is; away.
ed Now, Cap'n, if yeou've no objection
h. I guess we'll 60 aboard that ere Graf,
GV ~