The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-04-22
TALES OF THE BORDERS
THE SEA SKIRMISH.
(CONCLUDED.l

Il ledI5 Ieplleu Tue Tar lDaJ your
poor old father has received shot between
wind and water but never mind, my boy
while | can stand I'll never finch 1t shall
never be said that ould Bill Jones flinched
from his post in the hour of danger and
,mnd, my boy, Tom, If fall, never surren-
: der to a rascally Frenchman, but fight it
iout; he sure to keep him of, and there is
! no fear. Never yield, Tom"
The old tar, now quite exhausted
by his exertions and by loss of
blood, dropped down upon the deck but,
notwithstanding the solicitations Of bis sou
and the crew, be persisted in not being car
ried below They, therefore, wrapped a
boat cloak around him and laid him along
the deck, with bis head supported against
a coil Of rope.
Tom now took the command, and it re-
quired all bis exertions and skill 10 save
him from the prlvateer for the crew Of the
7reed, regardless of everything else, had
been looking at their commander like per
SONS stupe6ed, allowing tbe vessel to 20 as
she pl, ased. The Frenchman lad per
ceived their confusion, and was pressing on
to take advantage Of it, and the crew OF the
TiOeed could perceive the men clustering
along the yards as thick as bees. Tom,
however, again passed him without allowing
the Frenchman to board; but, unfortunately,
the broddsidu which was poured into the
T,resd shot away the jib halyards and the
large sail came down into the water. Three
cheers from the Frencbmen followed this
accident, which promised them a certain
victory for not only was the smack de-
prived Of the assistance Of the jib in sailing,
but the dragging of the sail through the
water impeded materially her progress.
All now seemed lost, when Tom, resign
ing the helm to one of the men, sprang for
ward and seizng hold of the end Of the
haiyards, mounted the rigging, and, in spite
of the showers of shot fired at him from the
Frenchman's tops, succeeded in again reev-
ing it through the block and. by
the assistance of the wynch, the jib again
rose to its former place.
The Frencbmsu, thus baffled In all bis
attempts, resolved to make last effort !;
and, crowdiDg all sail, came rapidly upon
the weather or starboard quarter. Ready
about !" sung out Tom and, as the smack
shot up head to the wind, be gave the order
to fire which order was no sooner obeyed
than dreadful shrek rose from the priva-
teer and the first sight which greeted
the eyes Of the Ttcteds crew after the
smoke had cleared, was their enemy stand
ing away before the wind under a press Of
sail
Simultaneous cheers burst from the lips
Of the men as they hehed this not less
pleasing than unexpected sight, and they
were ioined by old Bill, who, weak and faint
as he was, raised his hand and cheered with
bis crew.
We've given him parting salute,
said Bill Mossman, grlnning with delight
through face all begrimed with powder
and smoke. My eye, only look there
lie seems to be in a. great hurry as dog
with kettle at bis tail"
"Ay we have peppered his canister fol
him, said Jem Ward, " the lousy rasca
that he i I! I am only sorry that We did no
take him.
The crew, being now free from danger
crowded round old Bill who was still lyiny
on the deck, with Tom at his side and, il
their own hearty, honest, though blum
manner, inquired how he felt.
" Better than ever did 10 my life, an
swered the old sailor. " No doubt | bav
got shot which NAV compel me to lay u
in ordinary sheer hulk { the rest Of m
life, if it don't make me kick the bucke
altogether; but haven't We beat Frenc
privateer nearly three times cur size, an
with ten times our men, 2 | tell you, m
brave fellows, that this is the proudest an
happiest day of my life. And you, Tom,
sail he, addressing his son " have behave
like your fathers son, and that's sayin
something"
The sailors now proceeded TO reno
. Bill below; and Tom, whose eagerness
inform Catherine and her father Of the
success had only been restrained by his fiji
affection, rushed down 70 the cabin 70 t
them the joyful news. When he enlere
he found Mr.. Keveley and his daughl
seated, with their hands locked togethe
i. and as he entered they clune clos
r to each other, as if preparing for the wor
" 1t would be impossible to describe the j
~ which animated GATHERINGS face when TC
told them the happy tidpgs, Joy dane
d, in her blue eyes, which were alternately (
ed upon him or her father. Surprise at Fl
Us prevented her speech, till her emotion fou
Oh vent in food Of tears. Mr. Keveley bC
1t the news more composedly than bis daug
j.. ter He first embraced her, then came
shook Tom heartily BY the hand.
And has the Frenchman really r
OFF," asked Catherine, when she had 7