Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-04-26

ton in the fort The drums beat to quar-
tors, and men were running with lanterns
in every direction, while we could also per-
ccive that the crew of the ship near us
were silently preparing to drop from the
berth. We could hear the sounds OF
their capstan bars as they shipped and
uushipped them, in the act of hcaving
home he anchor.
While this was doing, we were by no
means idle for now, certain that mischief
was really intended, our little crew, great
lv reduced. to man the various prizes we
we had sent home during our heretofore
successful cruise, were called to quarters,
and all were ready to act as the emergen-
cy might require.
In the meantime boat left the ship,
and approaching the schooner the crew
attempted to climb up our side. But |
kept them at bay, while demanded to
know where the American frigate lay.
"She sailed yesterday" was the ans
wer.
"Thcy all left the port together" re-
piled the officer.
"What ship is that" next asked.
The Marquis of Durham" answered
the man. The port is now in possess
ion of His Majcsty's troops, and | demand
your surrender. You have fifteen mn-
utes to deliver your sword in person to
the commandant of the castle. On the
expiration of that time, if the summons
is not obcyed, the batteries will be opened
upon you.
Come on board" said and as the
skipper of the merchant ship and the
boats crew reached the deck, ordered
them under arrest From these men we
learned the facts wlreh We're these The
little squadron, ,af American men-ot-war
had merely epterhd the port for supplies,
| the batteries not being sufficiently man
ned to Prevent their entrance. The little
garrison had escaped to the hills till the
sailing of the ships, when they again re-
turned and took up their quarters. The
largo merchant ship we hal mistaken in
the oh ;curity of the fog for the -Am can
frisate, had arrived that afternoon, hay
int out,ailel the conveyed squadron OF
British West luliamen, to which she be-
lonsed.
We now perceived that the object OF
the British merchantmen was to drop out
Of range of tne guns of the fort, white
We should remain fast grounded to the
shoal, and exposed to their shots, when
the first discharge from their heavy can
non would have Knocked US into sPIlnterS.
Every man on board was aware Of the
immediate danger VIC were III, but they
were brave fellows, anl waited as cooily
for my orders, as # We had been at SEA IN
pursuit OF 4 chase,
Tint fellow yonlcr, sir, is dropping
from hi. b3rth,n said one Of my officers,
| looked towards the knsl>hmap, and
could sec that she had hove home her an
chor, and boats were out with line, haul
ins her head round towards the outer
har5or; the other craft in the habor be-
you1, was also evidently in motion.
Get out the boats, Mr.. Richmond,
said | to M first mate, .we'Il overhaul
that chap. There's but one chance left
rs. Wen have to leave the schooner to
her fate, and an'ier our people to that
vessel. Possibly We may do so before the
fort opens upon us. Get all hanls really
for boarlinei'
Hardly was the order communicated to
the nen, than with a cheer, they sprang
into the boats, and were ready to pull
away for the merchautman.
But at that instant as good fortune
would have it, sudden flaw of wind
from the land struck our sails. The lit
tic vessel yielded to the breeze, and ca
rccning sufficiently to clear her keel from
the sand, h5ated Immediately into deep
water.
\ loud huzza now broke from the men
which, regardless OF the consequences to
the shipping beyond Us, provoked shot
from the castle, which passed harmlessl J
over our stern.
Away, my hcarties!" | shouted to the
boardcrs. Get possession OF the English
man, and all will be right ~
While the boats were pulling in the dI-
rection of the ship, the schooner, under
the influence Of the treshening breeze,
bore down upon them and as the board
ers elambercd up the side Of the English
vessel upon the larboard, the privatcer
ran into the main rigging on the starboard
side, thus bringing her between Us and the
guns of the castle.
knew that all the fortii ,ationS of the
port were upon that side oil the harbor,
and intended to keep under the shelter of
the ship till beyond the range Of the guns
of the shore batteries, as well as those Of
the castle, as the main fort was called.
We obtained possession Of the ship
without u struggle, and forcing the Eng
lish sailors to assist in the working OF the
ship, soon made sail and We're running
through the outer harbor before the enc
my suspected the ruse We were playing.
In the meantime the fortunate land
breeze, which was bearing Us from the dam
serous proximity Of the shore, also lifted
the yapors which had been hanging over
the water and shipping, showing to the
astonished and doubtless greatly chagrn-
cd people of the place that not only had
the ship changed her position, but the prl-
yateer also. The latter, they had no
doubt, wa, fast agrounl, as had been re-
ported to them; and when they discover
ed US sailing side by side out of the har-
bor the truth seemed to flash upon them
the Yankee was running away with the
ship.
Tho forts now onened upon US, and