The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-05-28

her berth. We could hear the sounds OF
their capstan bars as they shipped and
unshipped them, in the act of heaving
home the anchor.
While this was doing, we were by no
means idle: for now certain that mis-.
chief was really intended, our little crew,
greatly reduced, to man the various pri-
zes we had sent home during our here
tofore successful cruise, were called to
quarters, and ordered to act as the emer-
gency might require.
In the meantime, boat left the ship,
and approaching the schooner. the crew
attempted to climb up our side. But l
kept them to bay, while [ demanded to
know where the American frigate lay.
She sailed yesterday" was the an
swer.
And the sloop- of-war ?" inquired.
They all left the port together" re-
piled the officer.
What ship is that ?" l next asked
1.-The Marquis of Durham" answered
the man. 1.-The port is now in possess
ion of His Majesty's troops, and l de-
mand your surrender. You have ff-
teen minutes to deliver your sword in
person to the commandant of the castle
On the expiration of that time, if the
summons is not obeyed, the batteries
will be opened upon you p
Come on board" said aud as the
skipper of the merchandising and the
boats crew reached the deck, / ordered
them under arrest From these men we
learned the facts, which were these
The little squadron of American men
of-war had merely entered the port for
supplies, the batteries not being sufi-
ciently manned to prevent their entrance.
The little garrison had escaped to the
hills, till the sailing of the ships, when
they again returned and took up their
old quarters. The large merchant ship
we had taken in the obscurity for the
American frigate, had arrived that after
noon, having outsaied the conveyed
squadron of British West Indiamen, to
whom she belonged.
We now perceived that the object of
the British merchantmen was to drop
out of range Of the guns of the fort,
while we should remain fast grounded
on the shoal, and exposed to their shots,
when the first discharge from their heavy
cannon would have knocked US into
splinters.
Every man on board was aware Of the
imminent danger we were in, but they
were brave fellows, and waited as cooolly
for my orders as il we had been at sea,
and in pursuit of a chase.
That fellow yonder, sir, is dropping
from his BERTH" said one of my Off
GERS.
! looked toward the EnglIshman, and
could see that she had hove home her
anchor and boats were out with line,
hauling her head around towards the
outer harbor the other craft in the har-
Dor beyond, were also evidently in mo-
tion.
+" Get out the boats, Mr.. Richmond" ="
said to my first mate ; well over
haul that chap. There's but one chance
left for us. Well have to leave the
schooner to her fate, and transfer our
people 10 that vessel, Possibly we may
do SO before the fort opens upon us. Get
all hands ready for boarding -
Hardly was the order communicated
TO the men, than with cheer, they
sprang into the boats, and were ready TO
pull away for the merchantmen.
And at that moment, as good fortune
would have it. sudden flaw of wind
from the land struck our sails The lit.
tie vessel Welded to the breeze, and ca
reening sufficiently to clear her keel from
the sand, floated Immediately into deep
water.
A loud huzza now broke from the
men. which. regardless of consequences
to the shipping beyond us, provoked a
shot from the castle, which passed harm
lessly over our stern.
Away my hearties !' | shouted to
the boarders. " Get possession Of the
Englishman, and all will be right !"
While the boats were pulling in the
direction OF the ship, the schooner, un.
der the influence of the refreshing breeze,
bore down upon them. and as the board
ers clambered up the side of the Eng
ish vessel. on the larboard. the privateer
ran into the main rigging on the star
board side. thus bringing her between
us and the guns OF the castle.
knew that all the fortifeations Of the
port were upon that side OF the harbor.
and intended to keep under 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 a struggle, and forcing the Eng
lish sailors TO assist in the working of the
ship, soon got up the sails and were
running through the outer harbor before
the enemy suspected the ruse we We're
playing.
In the meantime the fortunate breeze
which was bearing Us from the danger
Gus proximity of the shore, also Lifted
the vapors which had been hanging over
the water and shipping, showing 70 the
astonished. and doubtless greatly chag
rined people of the place, that not only
had the ship changed her position, but
the pryateer also The latter, they had
no doubt, was fast aground, as had been
reported to them and when they discov-
cred us sailing side by side. the truth