Litchfield enquirer., 1862-05-29
SEA SKETCH.

ts$& st%@ .-- sy During the summer of 1914, tie British had not only laid claim to all that portion of the dis trict of Maine lying east of the Penobscot, but Admiral Grifeth, and Sir Jehn c. Sherbrooke, the latter then being the Governor of Nova Sco- tia, had been sent with heavy force to take possession, and had occupied the town of Cas- tine, which place commanded the entrance to the Penobscot river. Shortly before the arrival of the English squadron, Commodore Samuel Tucker had been sent around to Penobsc0t bay to protect the American coasters there, and while the British sailed up to Castino he lay with his vessel at Thomaston.
 It was a schooner that the Commodore com manded, but she was heavy one, and well arm ed and manned and that she carried the true Yankee grit upon her decks, the enemy had re- eeived from them rather too many proofs. On the morning of the 28th of August, a messenger came down from Belfast with the intelligence that the British frigate was coming from Gas. tine to take him. Tucker knew that the British feared him, and that Sir John Sherbreoke had offered large amount for his capture.
 When the Commodore received the intelli- gence, his vessel was lying at one of the low whafves where he would have to wait nearly two hours for the tide to set him of, but he hastened to have everything prepared to get of as soon as KU1oAOLOs AOE uC utu uO OcSIS " AnSSo s1S O-~~ ish frigate.
 The schooner's keel was just cleared from the mud, and one of the men had been sent upon the wharf to cast of the bow line, when wagon drawn by one horse, came rattling down to the saet. The driver, a rough looking countryman, gvt out upon the wharf, and then assisted a mid dA aged lady from the vehicle. The ladys in- qniry was for Commodore Tucker. He was pointed out to her and she stepped upon the bckooHer's deck and approached him.
 4Commodore,' she asked, when do you sail from here ?
 Right of, as soon as possible, madam
 70, then, know you will be kind to me, the lady urged in persuasive tones. 'Mvpoor hus- band died yesterday, and wish to carry his corpse to Wiscasset where we belong, and his parents will take care of it.
 But my good woman, l shan't go to Wiscas- sett.'
 If you only land me at the mouth of the Sheepseut, will ask no more. l can easily find boat there to take me up. 'Where is the body? asked Tucker.
 In the wagon,' returned the lady, at the same time raising the corner of her shawl to wipe the gathering tears away. I have small sum of money with me, sir, and you shall be paid for your trouble.
 Tut, tut, my good woman if I accommodate you, there VOL | De aHy pay Auout lt.
 The kind.hearted old Commodore was notthe man to refuse favor, and though he liked not the bother of taking the woman and her strange accompaniment on board, yet he could not re- fuse; and when he told her he would do as she had requested, she thanked him with many tears in her eyes.
 Some of the men were sent upon the wharf to bring the body on board. A long buffalo robe was lifted off by the man who drove the wagon, and beneath it appeared neat black coffin.- Some words were passed by the seamen as they bore the coffin on board which went to show pretty plainly that this affair did not suit them. It may have been but prejudice on their part, but yet seaman should be allowed prejudice once in @ while, when we consider the many stern realities they have to encounter.
 Hush, my good men,, said the Commodore, as he heard their murmured remonstrances. Sup pose some of you were to die away from home would you not wish that your last remains might be carried to your poor parents 2. Come, hurry, now.'
 The men said no more, and ere long the coffin was placed in the hold and the woman was shown to the cabin. In less than half an hour the schooner was cleared from the wharf and stand ing out from the bay. The wind was light from the eastward, but Tucker had no fear of the fri gate now that he was once out of the bay.
 In the evening the ladypassenger came on deck, and the Commodore assured her that he should be able to land her early the next morn ing. She expressed her gratitude and satisfac- tion, and remarked that before she retired she should like to look and see that her husband s corpse was safe. This was of course granted, and one of the men lifted off the hatch that she might go down into the hold.
 I declare,' muttered Daniel Carter, an old sailor who had the wheel, she takes on dread fully
 'Yes-poor thing, responded Tucker as he heard the womans sobs and groans
 Dye notice what'n eye she's got? continued Carter.
 'No,' said the Commodore, only that it was swollen with tears
 My eyes but they shone though, when she stood here looking at the compass
 Tucker smiled at the mans quaint earnestness, and without further remark he went down to the cabin.
 When the woman came up from the hold she looked about the deck of the schooner for few moments, and then went aft. There was some thing in her countenance that puzzled Carter.- He had been one of those who objected to the cof6ns being brought on board, and hence he was not predsposed to lock very fayorably upon us owner. The woman s eye ran over the schoon- CTS deck with strange quickness, and Carter eyed her sharply. Soon she went to the taffrail and looked into the stern boat-and then she came and stood by the pinnacle again.
 Look out, or you'll gibe the boom,' uttered the passenger.
 Carter started and found the mainsail was shiVerlng. He gave the helm couple of spokes a-port, and then cast his eyes again upon the woman, whose features were lighted by the bin- nacle lamp.
 'Tank'e na'am,' said Dan. He hold on why, bless my soul there's big spider right on your hair. No-not there. Here-Ill-ugh r
 This last ejaculation Dan made as he seemed to pull something from the woman's hair, which he threw upon the deck with the ugh above mentioned.
 Shortly afterward the passenger went below, and ere long Tucker came on deck.
 Commodore said Carter, with remarkable earnestness in his manner, C is the oman turned in yet?'
 T rather think so,' said Tucker looking at the compass. Look out, look ont, Garter. Why, man alive, you're two points to the southward of your course
 Blow me, so am,' said the man, bringing tns helm smartly a-port. But say Commodore, oidn,t Ye notice nothin' 'culiar bout that wo- her. ' 'A''' ''''A ''oN' So I am, Commodore an so am about that oiack conn., too. Wouldn't be we'll for you an to go an overhaul it?'
 Pshaw! you are as scared as child in a graveyard ''N All !" 2: No, not bit of it. Just hark bit That 'oman ain't no 'oman at allp A''
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