The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-03-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
Noble Revenge.

Noble Revenge.
j The Mendip, Capt Frobisher, wa
lying off Gravesend, waiting for tn
arrival from London of the principa
passenger, an attache of the British
Embassy at the Portuguese court
Among the cargo were several bar
rels of gunpowder. While the shiI
waited for this parsonage, some o
the cabin passengers, among whom
we're four military officers, went OF
shore, and remained there till ths
hour for sailing was announced
which was done by the captain il
person. He entered the hotel, ant
found the four officers engaged il
drinking aid gambling. One OF
them, Lieut.. Brown, infamed by his
losses and the wine he had swallow
ed, called upon Frobisher, in bul
lying tone 20 take drink.
+ Drink, my boy, till your brains
are on blaze like mine.''
81 have not come to drink; o
blazing brain is not for one like me,
upon whom depends, under Gods
providence, the lives of so many.
have come to tell you that in an hour
we shall weigh anchor"
"Not drink % shrieked the wine
made madman. 'If you will not
swallow the liquor, you shall take i;
somehow" and lie flung the wine.
tilied-glass at Frobisher, whom il
happily missed.
IA challenge. challenge =
shouted the companions OF Brown.
Surely, Captain Frohisher will not
ta,nely suffer such an insult y
y othing shall provoke me TO
fight Lieutenant Brown replied
Frobisher; II pity, and pardon
aiI1.''
The officers laughed loudly and
scOrniully.
In an hour, gentlemen, we sail, >
and the Captain Withdrew.
The "Mendip' was cleavine her
way down the channel. Il was the
hour OF dinner, and FrobiSher, in his
capacity Of Captain, presided. The
gambling officers and their wives,
by many insinuatiOns, implied that
somebody was coward and pol
troon.
Alter dinner was ended, and while
tie passengers walked the quarter
deck, which the Captain was also
pacing, Lieut. Brown and tn, attache,
with a mock courage created by
drink, spoke loud, sneering words
against Frobisher, TO his face, ami
lurued laughingly 10 the others for
approval
In an instant the strong arm OF
the Captain laid heavy hand on the
shoulder of Brown.
"Hark ee, Lieut.. Brown, / am cap
tain of this ship, and if you persist
any longer in trying to upset my
authority, / shall place you in irons
till we reach Lisbon
The insolence was never repeated.
"Thc "Mendip" was in the bay Of
Biscay. A storm had been raging
for three days, during which the
bravery of the Captain had been ex-
trOlled by every one on board but
Lieut.. Brown and the attache.
The ships boats were swept away,
all but two, and these would barely
contain the passengers and crew,
should it be requisite to abandon the
ship. On the fourth day the alarm
of fire was raised. The hold was in
flames. In few minutes more the
flames would reach the magazine
The time was midnight. The Cap
tain was on deck, and gave his or
ders with calm self-composure.
Lower the boats. Let the wo-
men and children go first; then every
man according to his age"
Say! ay!' replied his brave men.
The wives of the passengers, and the
were safely lowered into
the boats.
"NOw for as many as the boats
have room to spsre," shouted Frob-
isher.
The attache sprang forward.
''Back - shouted Frobisher, ''years
before position Lieut.. Brown, it is
your turn first"
"Heaven bless you! we are
friends at last -
Frobisher shook him by the hand.
exclaiming. Gin the presence OF
death, why should we not be so? l
have never quarreled with you'
The boats were full, almost too
full. A preliminary explosion an
nounced the coming catastropae.-i
Cast off, and pull :or your lives, .
cried Frobisher as he stood by the
I'VE must and shall save you,'
was the cry that came back from the
dark waves.
"Awayi away" :" was the reply.
Then came low, rumbling sound,
ihen a great fash and clap like
thunder, and the splintered spars
and masts OF the ship "Mendip"
were floating on the waste Of waters
'Iac brave Captain was no more.
The crews of the boats reached
land in safety.