, 1862-07-17
sTEILACooM WASHINGTON TERRITORY THURSDAY, IT,


| NeitneTI yOuug hah' was the caih TePly VI
our captain.
Then why have you dared to insult the flag Of
Great Britain on the high seas ?" demanded the
youth with an impertinent and coekneyed air.
Are you not fearful that we will infict the chas-
tisement you richly deserved"
A spark Of anger flashed in the eyes Of our com
mandant, but it instantly passed away, and he
calmly replied:
mo, boy, am not fearful Of receiving punish
ment at your hands, nor shall my peak or banner
ever be lowered to the Gross Of England while
have life to lose in its defence"
"By st. George, Sir Rebel. you speak tauntingly
Of my cOuntrys pu owess% 70 exclaimed the midsip
man. "MOre such language as that might tempt
us to tear that rag Of thine from the gall and tram
pie It beneath our feet"
At this disgracefGl allusion to our flag the lips
Of our commander quivered with concealed rage
and turning to one Of the sturdy seamen that lined
the deck, be vociferated, "Barnacle, throw that
man OverbOardr .,,
"Ay, ay, SIR" exclaimed the veteran, and soiz,
ing the slight form of the midshipman, be hOisted
him over the gunwale, and pitched him into the
sea beneath.
A roar of laughter ensued amongst the sons oI
Neptune, and even the British seanien were OBJ
serfed to chGekle with smothered delight as they
drew him dripping from the briny element, and
| siONeu on 10 return.
When the yawl which contained the exaspcrated
midshpman arrived at the side Of the British YES
sci, general stir was observed on her decks; her
long black yards were swung round, and her bow
wore to windward in straight line with our ship,
and it was evident by their movements that il was
their intent to run us down and pour in broad
side. Studdingsails, spankers and stay-sails were
spreading in oil parts of her wideextended rigging,
and in few minutes every boom, mast and stay
was clothed in its respective robe Of flowing can.
vass yet, for near an hour, during which she had
gained rapidly upon US, we continued our course
without adding a sail to those with which We had
cleared the harbor. ,.L
| Our commander, who had hitherto stood silently
regarding the advancing vessel, turned to the sea-
men with the usual premoni ory command Of ST.
leuce." In an instant the murmured hum which
arose from the ships deck was hushed, and then
each ear sharpened to catch the following order:
"Clear away the long Tom"
cay, ay, sir,"sshOuted dozen Of the seamenr
and in a few minutes the gun was prepared for
dischargng, and the men stood waiting for further
orders.
By this time the advancing ship had approached
50 near that her bobstays and lanyards were seer
distinctly relieved from the dark and massive hull
men were observed clambering the shrouds. crowd
ing forward and stationing themselves in the star.
board chains for the purpose Of viewing and ad.
miring the saucy Yankee, who evinced no dispOsi-
tion either to run away or come to close quarters
Still she swept onwards, and in a few minutes the
letters Of her name grew legiby detached from the
fore-netting, and the swelling notes OF Rule Brf
tannia" rose upon our hearing; yet our commander
stood motiOnless, attentively surveying the noble
Briton as she swiftly advanced, dashing proudly
aside the white spray that gathered around her
bow. Not word was spoken on board Of ouI
ship, and every I'VE was bent on the Englishman
with absorbing interest. Itwas the most exciting
moment of my life; fairly held my breath with
the thrilling. indescrbable feeling that was awak
enSd in my mind
"Stand by the weather bracesl" shouted OuI
commander, and the ropes were disengaged from
their respective elects.
Again an interval Of silence succeeded as thC
captain again turned his gaze on the ship in chase
"Wear shipw shouted he at the top Of bis voice
and the long yards Of our vessel were swung around
until her bow veered gracefully to windward: Thii
maneuver was scarcely executed when volume o.
smoke issued from the bows Of the ship in chase
and the loud report Of q cannon rang upon the
breeze. In an instant every eye was thrown alof
to discover if their FIRE had proved ehectual, but
all above remained untouched; the ball had passed
harmlessly by.
Keep her at that !" exclaimed our commander
10 lle HluI AZ Wucci Us OuE tuIoauc
ahack, and the vessel lay mOtionless in the winds
eye; then glancing his eye along the gun, he point
ed II to suit his aim the printing was fired. and
the roar Of our cannon reverberated on the ears
with u wantOn stunning effect.
"HuzZam shouted our seameD, as the mizen-toT
of the BritOn few in splinters, and the top, top
gallant and royal mast fell the stern. dragging
along with it the proud hammer Of England.
For moment stood regarding the lame vesse
with glow Of delight which can better be ina
gined than described. National pride and thu
exciting thrill Of triumph swept through my veins
and felt that could not breathe but as 40 Amer
icau. turned towards the commander; be still
gazed at the vessel astern, while his eye lighted
with 6erce triumph, and his lip curled with q
grim though not unpleasing smile.
Thus" said he addressing me, "shall Pau
Jones ever do homage to the penons Of British
tyranny and oppression" Then, suffering the ex'
citcmcnt of his C0untenance to vanish he gave the
loud command Of Fill away
Our vessel then swung round on her course, the
sails were again filled, and again she bounded for
ward through the green waters Of the Atlantic.
Set the studding sails and crowd oil sail" said
| the captain.
The light booms were speedily run out from the
extremity Of the yards, and in few hours ouI
antagonist and the ships Of the squadron were lost
in the rOtundity Of the ocean.