The Shasta courier., 1860-01-21
TON MACDONOUGH,
The Press Gangs yictim---A Sea Sketch
BY N. B. PERRIN.

full cargo. She commanded by Captain
William Brown, and his first mate Tom
Macdonough, a true hearted Yankee sailor, who
hailed from somewhere in the little State of
Delaware.
After the brig had been duly entered at the
custom bouse, she cleared of the car
go, and, within week after her arrival, she
was loaded for home.
One pleasant eyening-the preceding the
day on which the brig was TO sail-Tom Mac
donough took stroll up town. he had been
at work all day arranging the cargo, and having
merely started out for a stroll, he had not
thought it worth wL-.e TO change his dress. He
had been up as far as the Exchange, and was
returning by the way of the docks, when be was
accosted by man who appeared to be citi-
zen:
"Good evening, stranger"
"The same to you, returned Tom, never once
mistrusting that there was harm in the way.
% Do you belong to any of the vessels in the
river ?" asked the other, as he cast scrutinizing
glance over the somewhat rough habilments of
the American sailor
Yes; | belong to the American brig Sarah"
Mono; that won't do"
What won't do ?" asked Tom, not a little
amazed at the remark. r
40, know you, returned the stanger - You
are deserter from the frigate."
As be spoke, he placed small whistle to his
mouth, and in moment after its shrill note had
cut the air six marines came rushing out from
a tap room close at hand, and at a motion from
the stranger, they seized hold upon Tom, and
made him prisoner. In vain was it that Tom
protested that he was second in command of the
Sarah and in vain that he threatened venge-
ance. But against the power of six stout fellows
he could make no efectual resistance and so
he was taken along to the naval landing, where
five other Drisoners-ali victims of the press
gang-were awaiting their embarkaton.
boat was in waiting, III the command ofa lieu
tenant, and into it Tom, with the rest ofthe un-
fortunate seamen, unceremoniously hurried, and
in less than half an hour he found himself on
board an English frigate, which lay at the
mouth of the river.
"a fine set of men," said the English captain,
as he ran his eyes admiringly over the stalwart
forms of the impressed seamen. g They will just
fill up the list of our man-topmen"
"Are you the commander of this frigate 2"
asked Tom, addressing the man who had just
spoken.
Captain Downie, at your service" replied
the commander, with mock gravity.
Then, sir, of you demand my immediate
release | am second in command of an Ameri-
can brig, now ready for sea, and no power in
England can legally detain me-"
That won't go down, youngster," returned
-
young for such an office. The King needs men,
and you must take your chances with the rest"
"Do you mean to say that am to be detained
on board your ship?'
Certainly"
"Then. sir" replied Tom, while his eyes flash
ed fire, "you will do it at your peril Already
have your people run up heavy reckoning,
and the day shall yet come when your King will
have to settle it. | am exempt by your own
! Iawc from, irnnrasSment and Won knny
The captain showed little anger as our hero
spoke; but turning to ore of his leutenants, he
said
'Mr Monson, have these mems names en-
tered, and then station them aud mess them"
and without further remark he walked aft to his
| cabin In a moment Toms mind was made up,
and without resistance or remark OF any kind,
he allowed his name to be entered on the pur
sers books, and his station and mess to be
signed him, after which hammock and bed
ding were served out to him, and he was direct
ed to g turn in as soon possible. The frigate
was well guarded by sentries, there being two
on the poop, one on each gangway, one on the
forecaste, and the bowsprit, besides
those which were stationed at various posts
below; so that no further notice was taken of
the comers after they had received their
bedding, excepting to give the sentinels addi-
tional caution with regard to watching well that
officer of the deck.
Toms hammock was already cleared and
having hung it up, he turned into it without un-
dressing. The night was warm and sultry, and
as means of giving a circulation of fresh air,
the gun deck ports were lowered, and from the
place in which our hero swung he could look
out upon the water, as ii sparkled beneath the
beams of the bright moon. Tom lay quiet until
midnight; but as vet he could think of no means
|.,f,- -l,- IL. l. F..
he heard the relief guard called, and in some
ten minutes the corporal of the first guard came
down upon the deck and unlashed the hammock
which hung next TO his own; which operation
being performed, he proceeded to undress him
self, hanging his clothes as he did so upon the
clews of his hammock. The four hours duty
had given the corporal excellent appetite for
sleep, and in less than five minutes after he
touched his Mattress he began 10 snore
"Now, or never" thought Tom, ais nv
chance j and with this idea in his mind he
slipped quietly out from his hammock, and pro-
ceeded to divest himself of his clothes, which
having accomplished, he very unceremoniously
substituted those ofthe snoring corporal in place.
and then sat down upon the breeching of a gun
to mediate further upon his plans
One bell struck, and the sentinels passed the
usual '' alls we'll" Then Tom heard the cor
poral, as he started to go his rounds and ere
IonS ne utoceHueu the main match ladder, to
visit the posts below. No sooner had the ma
rine officer passed beyond the galley, than our
hero sprang up the ladder and gained the SPAR
deck. The officer of the deck was aft upon the
starbord side; the sentries were walking their
posts with regular tread, while the old quarter
master stood upon the poop with his night-glass
under his arm. The sentries performed their
walk upon the gang boards, raised even with
the bottom of the hammock nettings, and run
ming forward from tie ladders. The star-board
gangway was shaded from The light of the moon
by the awnings and walking deliberately up
the ladder, Tom looked over the ships side.
Sentry said he, in a mumblng sort of a
tone, what boat is that at the boom ~
The second cutter" returned the marine
showing from his manner that he had no sus-
picions of the spurious corporal.
Tom Immediately walked aft to where stood
the officer of the deck and being quite assured
by the mistake of the sentry, he pulled his cap
down over his eyes, and touching his visor re-
specttuly, remarked:
81 should like to overhaul that second cutter
SIR think there is rum aboard of her"
Tom knew he was playing desperate game,
but liberty was to be the result of success, and
he tnched not hair.
:" Hal the villains - uttered the lieutenant
p" Up to those old tricks again. Go, corporal
get down into the boat, aud if YOU find rum in
her, they'll catch it,"