, 1862-07-17
The Convoy.

we Dau Dee0 detained IN hlngStOWn naEDOT iOT
several days, waiting the departure Of an English
convoy. The day Of sailing had at length arrived,
and we were waited gracefully to sea by the trade
wind, which blew fresh and favorable, and pro-
missed speedy arrival at our destination. The
feet was composed of at least forty vessels Of all
nations, who had, like us, sought the conveys pro-
lection from the many piratical cruisers which at
that time infested the shores OF the West India
Islands. There might have been seen the clumsy
Hollander, and the more fragile vessels Of Spain,
the large unwieldy barque Of Russia, and the light
felucca Of the Mediterranean, the strong and hand
some Englishman, and the beautiful last-sang
trader Of the United States, the high black lugger
Of Bremen, and the long low cruiser Of Portugal,
all with their canvass set gracefully plowing the
green waves OF the Atlantic. l had embarked in
an American ship, bound for Baltimore, truly
noble vessel, and ielt secret pride thrill in my
veins as cast my eyes along the tapering spars,
suffering them to rest upon the welLtrimmed head
rigging and bellying topsail. There was not a
brace, stay or halyard but was drawn taught to
its respective place, and the light fOotropes hung
in graceful curves from the numerous yards, in
beautiful contrast with the running and stationary
rigging. On deck everything presented as neat an
d. pearance as alOft the guns were newly painted
and bound to the deck with widely-plaited breech-
ing the deck had been cleared Of every fibre of
elects and Delaying pins in beautiful coils. Wheu
had finished my survey Of her appearance, turned
almost invOuntariy towards the stern, and suffered
my gaze to Gall upon the Star-Spangled Banner,
which rolled in graceful folds from the main gaif-
the guardian Of all this beauty-the protection for
all this elegance:
Our captain was large and finely-moulded man,
but the most distant and tacit being had ever
encountered. He would stand for hours together
leaning over the talfrail, and gazing in the blue
deep Of the ocean, as if he could read therein some
darkly fascinating page Of futurity. Hiseyes were
grey and deeply sunken, yet they shOne with an
almost unnatural lustre, and seemed to search and
be satisfied with your most secret thought at
glance. To superficial observer he appeared
being lily calculated to gain the affections Of man
kind, vet every one on board loved him. and seemed
to take pleasure in executing his mandates; there
was something so sngularly and impressively in
teresting in the expression Of his cOuntenance-
something so stern, 50 noble, and so decisive, that
l felt, as gazed upon him, that his like should
never behold again. As my eyes fell from the
banner Of my country, they encountered his he
had been observing me for some time, and Ielt
that his penetrating glances were master Of my
feelings.
American" said he, advancing, "these hands
were the first that ever raised your proud banner
to u gaff; fought, bled and conquered under your
stars and stripes, and while the arm that reared it
is LEFT me- it shall never be lowered in submission
to created man."
l could make no answer to his speech, but l
grasped his hand with pressure which indicated
more than words could express.
After moments pause, he looked around to
observe that none were within hearing, and again
resumed:
"Yes, stranger, l once shot man dad for lay
4, k,l,a cNpifh kho infa
of striking that proud banner to q tOeman."
A fierce though animated light for moment
Illuminated his expressive eye, and then, turning
abruptly away, he strobe to distant part OF the
quarterback with manner which seemed to forbid
intercourse. This singular man made deep i'm
preston upon me- and l resolved to study him well
during the voyage.
There was general movement among the ships
company, and the eyes Of all on board were turned
towards the squadron, and then inquiringy on the
captain, as if to hear and obey his commands His
Britannia Majcsty's ship Hyperion had overhauled
the squadron. and informed them by signals that
the Duke Of Clarence, afterwards William Nv,
King Of England, was on board.
In few minutes the peak Of every vessel in the
feet save ours, was lowered and for awhile nothing
was heard on the water but the cracking Of sheaves
as the halyards sped swiftly through the blocks i
peak after peak fell in honor Of the royal passen
ger, but the ga Of our vessel was m0tiOnesS, while
all around had submissively fallen. When learned
the cause Of this movement turned towards the
captain; and never shnll forget the CHASTITY smile
that at that moment played around his lips.
Fools ~ muttered he; minions to do homage
to the boy whose fathers foot is on their neck |!
By heavens Id suffer death before my peak should
bow to their etfem9ate pup Of the purple" and he
cast bis eyes iealously along the spOtless canvass
"John Bull seldom allows such disrespect as
this to 90 uupunished,' whispered Bob Barnacle.
See, they are lowering the yawl from the davits
for the purpose Of boarding us; and i the judg.
| ment of an old seaman don't deceive him. we shall
have some heaving Of iron before this squall blows
over"
Il hope nothing serious may accrue to US, :"
said |.
The naval veteran shook his head Importantly
as he answered, &" The captain is like Dutch lug
ger in q blow"
As the veteran concluded. he moved away, leav-
ING me to conjecture the meaning Of his mysterious
sentence. Again turned my attention to the
| commander for q moment he regarded the yawl
as il left the ships SIDE ahd then folding his arms,
he continued to pace the quarterback until its ar
rival Our independent bearing bad been perceived
by the whole squadron and the eyes Of men OF more
than one nation were turned upon us with jealous
curiosity, and thrill Of national pride traversed
my veins rs l contemplated the proud sense Of
freedom we had so nobly displayed; yet we had
committed daring II not rash action, and there
was no alternative but to follow il up manIully, or
disgrace the proud pennons that aOated over US in
prssence of the citizens Of almost all the Christian
nations in Europe The dark man that Paraded
| the auarterdeck was the sole being upon whom
rested the responsibility Of our countrys honor !;
his command might exalt US in the eyes Of many
Jealous rival, or on the other hard; il might rem
der US an object Of contempt and ridicue but, at
that moment felt n certainty Of conviction that
our commander would honOrably hnish the work
he had 90 nobly begun. The English yaWl had
! =, ..-;,,od and vounO midshipman. arrayed in