Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-11-06
EBENSBURG. PA. WEDNESDAY. NOV. 6. 1861

scended to the cabin, as If to show that he repu-
dated the action of the captain and all on board
Meanwhile the cruiser had approached within
hailing distance. She was what was technically
called, at that period, Jackass brig" of about
two hundred tons burthen, manned with a crew
including officers, of hundred men, and carrying
ten short nine pound cannonades. In weight of
metal. and in the number of mer, and probably
in the matter of training she had much the ad-
vantage of the ship but the latter was much the
larger vessel, stood much higher out of water,
and had an evident advantage of the cruiser in
the long shrivel gun amidships, if she could only
keep at distance beyond the range of the briggs
smaller gIns In hand-to-band conflict the
odds against the ship would have been desperate;
and under any circumstances it was daring and
hazardous act on the part of Captain Lyman to
offer resistance to such superior force, still more
strengthened by the fact that the man-of-war
had the law on her side.
Sc Ship ahoy! What ships that q" shouted an
officer in naval uniform from the brig
The Indian Chief of New York;
Sc Where are you from, and whittier bound ~
Last from Marseilles, and bound to New
York"
How long have you been absentP,
'Two years come next month"
Why don't you hoist your colors 90
The captain ordered the English ensign-this
of course the flag of the colonies-to be hoisted.
"So-well," shouted the officer ''Heave to,
and We'll send boat on board"
Wall" replied Captain Lyman. ' Seein'
as the winds sorter fair, and I've been long
while away from hum, and it's as much as we
can do to get to Sandy Hook afore dark, don't
see as there is any call to heave to. Can't We
say what ye wantter say as We are %
Perhaps you are not aware that for the last
twelve months the colonies have been in open re
bellion ?''
Lor sakes, no. What be the meaning of
that ? What do We want with us ~
.s The port of New York is under blockade,
and you are a lawful prize of His Majesty, King
George the Third. However. we'll see when we
get on board. Perhaps we may let you enter,
and probably some of your fine fellows may wish
to serve His Majesty.'
"WaIl, gue-s not just now" replied the
captain. {" Ye see the, we been long while
away from hum, and they're sorter eager to get
ashore to see their wives and sweethearts. l has
great desire to see my old woman so if it's all
the same to you, we'll just say good day, and 60
on our way"
Cursed old blockhead, ;" muttered the officers
while his companions could not refrain from
laughing aloud at the simplicity of the Yankee
skipper. " Heave to, | say heave to at your
peril ~
The crew of the Indian Chief had quietly de-
scended from the rigging during this parley, and
stood louuging carelessy about the deck, while,
in obedience to Captain Lyman's secret orders,
the helmsman had kept the ship away before the
wind, thus increasing the distance between the
two vessels, and rendering the stationary guns
on board the brig of-war useless.
As yet the ports of the merchantmen had been
kept shut, and the shrivel gun being concealed
by lumber, the captain and officers had no idea
of the somewhat formidable armament of the
seemingly peaceable merchant ship But exas-
perated at what he considered the stupidity
di:respectful behaviour of the latter, the captain
of the brig now ordered boat to be lowered and
an armed crew to go and board the ship. By
the time that this order effected the distance
between the vessels had greatly increased, while,
before the wind, the superior height out Of The
water of the merchantman gave her the advan-
tage over the cruiser, built to lie close to the
waters edge, and to show her speed close hauled.
ship ahoy Curse ye, keave to, you stupid
fool 10 shouted the lieutenant in command of the
privateer, irritated at the hard tugging of the
men at the oars who had as much as the could
do to keep up with the ship.
Lyman &c and if you'll jist turn tail and go back
on board the cruiser afore We cum teu grief cause
l tell We fur sartain Pm bound teu see Martha
Lyman to night, and if you come atune me and
she, sure's there's nyster's in Cape Cod bay I'l
shute"
ss Give away, men. cried the lieutenant. By
heaven I'll not leave you man on board the
ship, and you may get into port how you may.
Give away, men-pull like the d|.'
80 Now take care. Keep off, or else, by thun
der, I'll shute," shouted Captain Lyman. "
amt gassinl There aint no pokin' fun about
me- NV men and mes of one mind; we're
bound tew see our missesses and gals tew night,
please God the wind holds; and if you won't
take warnin', by Jupiter I'll shute."
Give way, menl" cried tn, officers Of the
boat.
A few vigorous strokes lessened the dist tance
between the boat and the ship; but the brig of
war was now at least half mile distant, and in
full chase, rendering, as I have said, her side
guns useless.
"You icoat? Well, then, your blood be on
your own heads. 'Taint none o. my bringin' on.
I only want tew be let alone, to go inter port
and see my old 'eman and report proceedings tew
the owners. Now, look out ORe-you wont
stoyl TeV-now take warnin'! Three-and