The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-12-10

7 and expectation, mingled with that und
fined emotion of anxiety and dread whic
the approach OF danger always excltes. BI
let the action once begin, and let him he'
the guns laundering over bis head
then that the sailor forgets his hopes an
his fears in his ardor for the conflict. B'
to return. The breeze bad now freshened
and the scudding before
under press of sail-was now almos. witt
in guDsho..
Hang your impudence, you Frenc
lubber" mumbed the old quartermaste
to himself, as be paced up aud down th
deck with quick. unsteady pace-'dO 20
think TO uu our little vessel under water
But big as you are, Mr.. Monsieur, If th
little Hack does not make yOu-sheer of q
if you had run foul of lee shore, my nam
is not Jack Scroggins.
The Frenehman seemed inclined to cor
6rm the .opinien Of the old tar; fer on b
came, without altering his course, till, Of
coming within hail Of the brig, be bawle'
out
Pull down your colors and bring to, 0
else I'll sink you"
Keep your ship away, then" shoute.
Harry, that may bring her alongside.
The Frenchman accordingly did so, bu
passed 50 near as almost to carry away The
brig's toppingift.
a" Now, luff, my lad, and ire away, my
hearties!" shouted Harry, whilst the BRIG
shot up to the wind, and brOadside, ac-
companied with three hearty cheers, told
the success of the skilful maneuyre.
The Frencbman was now left far behind,
when she and the brig stayed almost at the
same instant-the Frenchman to get at the
brig, and the brig to get her other brOadslde
to bear upon the Frenchman The brig was
worked to perfection, and came round in
fine style Not 80, however, with the
Frenchman for the sudden broadside of
the brig had put him in such confusion that,
when staying bis ship, be had forgotten to
loose the lee yard arm Of the foresail, BY
which the vessel hung in the wind, and
finally missed stays Up once more came
the little Hack, and saluted him with an
other brosdside, which increas the con-
fusion Of the Frencbman but, being now
on the same tack with the brig, he soon
came up with her, when, bringing bis whole
broadsi1e to bear upon tn Hack, be poured
in such tremendous volly as to threaten
entire dissolution to the fl anne of the little
vessel.
The guns of the contending vessels bad
new reused the inhabitants Of the sea-coast,
and, by this time, the shore was lined with
spectators, who were watching the engage
nent with intense anxiety. Amongst these
vas no less parsonage than Harry's uncle,
Ben jamin Davis, with whom Maria was at
hat time staying. The old tar, as was bic
constant practice, was taxing bis morning
yalk along the beach, with his spy glass in
lis hacd, and be had Witnessed the engsge-
nent from the beginning; and there be was,
irving orders, as if he had been on board
he vessel
The brig was at this moment, passing
lose under the stern of the Frenchman.
:" Now, give it home, my lads" shouted
Id Ben on the shore; and, as if in obedi-
nee to bis command, the brig opened Ler
,uns, one ai0er the other, upon the French
nan, as she passed, which raked him fore
md aft, and did much execution.
The Frenchman, however, was not long
behind; for, keeping bis ship away, he soon
,ame up to the brig, when, opening upon
ler another broadside, be would inevitably
Rave sent the little vessel to the bottom, bad
not the steersman, by dexterous movement
IF the helm. avoided part of the shock. The
shot took effect principally upon the stern
IF the brig, tore away the quarter-boards,
killed the man at the helm and three other
men standing near.
As soon as the smoke cleared away, the
people on the shore were dismayed to find
he little brig sheering off right before the
Wind. but still keeping up running fire
With her stern-chasers, at the Frenchman,
who was pursuing her under a press Of
canvas.
Curse upon you, for a cOwsrdly rascal,
whoever you are, to run away from a
% shouted old Ben on the shore,
whilst the sweet trickled down in large
drops from his forehead But both be and
The Frenchman were mistaken, in thinking
that the brig was endeavcring to get off;
for this was only feint on the part Of Har
ry, who, finding that the enemy was so much
superior in bis weight Of metal, saw thai his
only chance was in close quarters, when be
trusted the bravery Of his tars would prove
victorious over the number of the French.
Calling, therefore, all bis men on the quar-
deck, be told them that their only chance Of
victory lay in close quarters.
"Are you ready, my brave fellows" be
added. TO follow your commander to the
Frenchman's deck? They are three to
one of us but you know what the intre-
pidity of a handful of British seamen can
achieve"
Three cheers followed these words, which
were heard BY the people on shore, and, ig-
nOrant Of the cause, they anxiously awaited
the result.
SECT the boarding pixies ready there, I"
shouted Harry, "and every man arm him
sell Win CutiHoc duu OldCC vi ptcoOic
and when the Frenchman comes up, lash
her to us, and then to il, yard-srm and yard
arm"
"All ready, sir, shouted the men-''al
ready"
The Frenchman was now again up TO tht
brig, which she already considered as be-
prize, when suddenly the Hasok tackled rigb
athwart her bows, and in a moment wa
lashed alongside.
cay, that is something like" criet
Ben, rubbing bis hands for joy-''oh, tha
| was on board of you, t. lend you help
ing hand y
G. Hurnb, my hearties and old Euglan'
for ever!'' shouted Harry, sPringing Of
the Freuchman's deck, followed BY thirty
his crew.
"Old England for ever!" shouted hi
men, rushing after him, like 80 many hungr
tigers.
The scene which followed was terrific
each party fighting like furies, and dil
- e.. ..n~h-kkn IonL ~-s-~rs~,