The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-12-10
TALES OF THE BORDERS
THE SEA-FIGHT

termaster to himself as he descended to th
nidshipman's mess. Humph," said he
observing the middies seated over bow
of punch, you seem to be enjoying your
selves upon the strength Of it. ."
SAY, and would have you do the same,
exclaimed little mid, pushing him glas,
Of grog come, douse your sou westel
and in us
Little invitation was needed on the part
Of the quartermaster, who was one Of those
characters so emphaticalIy termed, by sea
men, wet lads" and who, perhaps very
philosophicaly, reason that, as they are ex-
posed to 80 much fluid of a cold nature
without so a proportionable degree Of fluid
Of a hot nature within is necessary to pre-
serve their equilibrium
Notwithstanding this frailty, there was
not a braver nor a kinder heart in the
British navy than that of the old quarte-
master. The middies be called bis children,
and they, in turn, were accustomed to call
him Daddy, although some of the tricks
which they played him savored of anything
but h aspect which children owe their
parents. Having fallen asleep in the midst
of song, with a pipe in the one hand and
his glass in the other, this was too good n
opportunity for a lark to be slipped. As
his head had fallen back upon his seat, the
middies slyly tied cracker to his pigtail,
and we're preparing % ignite it, when the
quartermaster suddenly awoke, and PER
ceiving the trick they we're about to play
him, be seized hold OF ropes end and soon
made the middies seek shelter from his fury
under the table, where, being unable to get
at them, he sung out
blow me, but you small craft have got
into too shoal water for me to follow you
now. but if get my big guns to bear up
on YOU, will blow you out Of the water. ="
A sailor at this moment entering to tell
the auartermaster that be was required on
deck, put an end to the joke and relieved
the midshipmen from their confinement.
When the qUartermaster came on deck,
the Fern lights were right ahead; and, by
bis directions, the vessel was soon moored
under the lee Of the island, in safety from
the tempest. Here, after stopping two days,
they again set sail, and bad already got of
the coast of Norfolk, when, in the grey
of the morning, man at the masthead
called out
"On deck there, ahoy!'
Well, my lad?'' cried Archer, whose
watch it was on deck.
"a large ship with French cslors on the
weather bow"
"Call up the the captain and first lieu
tenant" said Archer to a midshipman.
"Mast head again, ahOy what more do
you make of her -
:" She looms large, and seers coming
down upon US right before the wind.
Harry and Clark now came upon deck,
followed by the old quartermaster, who,
rubbing bis eyes, exclaimed
"wby, what's the matter now"
1er pointed out the vessel, which wa
a great distance, but evidently near
m 4nem.
"All hands upon deck there y shouted
Hf " - boatswain, pipe up all hands
an. you, Clark, 20 up alOft and see Wha
you make of her."
q" is large vessel" exclaimed
CLARK, looking through his spy-glass
" with French colors and ship rig. There,
see her side-all black, and white ports
there is one, two, three-I cannot cOun
them, they are SO .hick
cay, let her come, cried Harry; :"
Or arrant her she gets as good as she brings
Up with the British ensign, my lads, ar'
let the Frenchman see what we are"
"And I'll take good care that it shal
not come down in a hurry, with your boH
or's leave" exc. aimed the old quartermai
ter. So saying, be mounted the riggln
and mai ed the ensign to the mast. Now
Mr.. Frenchnan, when that comes dowr
we'll strike, but not till then.
All hands were now on deck, and straII
ing their eyes with looking at the strang
sail. :,
/" Get the ship clear for action, rOare
ont Harry; "run out the guns there pu
down the stadding sails POrt!" to the ma
az the helm. $50"
The deck of the brig at this moment pr
seuted a most interesting sight-all hane
as busy as possible making arrangement
for the engagement Powder bOxe
spouges and buckets were strewed along q
/ deck. while some were leading the gun
others securing the boats along the boom
all in high glee at the Thought OF hay,I vi
}. ,ppering match at the Frenchman. u
brie was soon cleared, with the guns load'
and double-shotted on both sides, and eve
: man at bis post stripped to hh shirt
. There is, perhaps. no scsas more awful
solemn than that which II presented BY
ship going into action 10 ntmost sti
ness everywhere prsvaila ely occasional
broken BY the commands of Ne olicsrs. 4
= IivareH IN q anuuraaaa1 toue. or he WI