Middletown transcript., 1870-10-01
Popular Tales.
From the New York Ledger.
HOW THE PRIVATEER GOT OUT,
A SEA SKETCH.
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.
A SEA SKETCH

Scarcely ever did the hearts of the be-
sieged Yankees beat more suddenly with
joy, or swell with better grounded hopes,
than when toward the close of November,
1775, Captain Manly captured the British
ordnance brig Nancy, and carried her safe
into Cape Ann harbor. Every American,
or at least every New Englander, must be
aware of the circumstances of the Ameri-
can army at that time. Washington was
surrounded by pure and noble hearts
hearts that beat within the bosoms of men
who were ready to shed the last drop of
their blood for the welfare of their coun-
try; but for all this they were sadly in
want of means by which to accomplish
their desires, and hence every new cap
ture of British vessels by Yankees-and
there were many-was hailed with deep
satisfaction. Among the articles of this
capture were about two thousand muskets,
besides large quantities of ammunition,
mortar beds, etc. and for several weeks
did the unabated excitement of rejoicing
continue.
Now, amid all this rejoicing there was
one mana true-hearted Yankee-who
wished that the capture had been delayed
few days, and who, while every one
shouted loudly for joy, looked downcast
and perplexed. This individual was no
less parsonage than Captain Sam Var
ney, who owned small privateer, and
who had already helped the colony not a
little by some of bis captures. On the
same day that saw the British prize an
chored safely in Cape Ann harbor, Cap
tain Sam Varney was fitting out his
schooner for a cruise, and in two days
moro he would have been able to make
sail, but on the next morning he was
"thrown all aback" by the appearance of
British mau-of-war brig off the harbor,
and he felt that if the blockade was kept
up he should have to stay inside-an idea
which he by no means rellshed since there
was prize money to be made outside. The
news of the Nancy's capture had reached
Boston, and General Howe had immedi-
ately ordered one of the vessels under his
orders to proceed to Cape Ann and lay
off and on" to prevent any of the small
American vessels from taking away the
stores by water, and furthermore to pre-
vent the sailing of any privateers, one or
two of which were reported to by lying
there.
81 May be blowed if that amt fix"
said Varney to his first officer, as they
stood on one of the piers on the next
morning after the Englshman had made
his unwelcome appearance.
"No mistake" returned Hartman, as
he still KEEP his eyes upon the brig, which
had just tackled, and was standing in.
IN tell you what, Captain, we shan't t
get out of this as long as that Englishman
stays out there, and it's my opinion that
he won't go very soon neither"
But we must go out" replied Captain
Varney, as he lowered the glass through
which he had been gazing at the man-of-
war.
Must" iterated Hartman, looking up
in surprise at his captain.
Certainly" answered Varney. "We
must get out somehow, for l can't afford
to lay here"
"That's very easy said, but it strikes
me that you'll find it very difficult job
to carry out"
As Hartman delivered himself of this
opinion he gazed into Varney's face, as if
expecting to gain some insight into his
plans, but for several moments the latter
looked in silence upon the Englishman,
and when he at length spoke his language
seemed still more to confound rather than
! enlighten his listener.