The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-04-22

appearance, added she, with a plavfl
smile. Tom turned his head for an instar
} to mirror which was hanging up on on
! side of the cabin, and in it beheld bis cour
t tenance so soied with powder and perspi
ration that be scarcely recognized his ow
features
] After wiping away the drops Of swea
which were cOurslng each other down hi
cheeks and ploughing up large furrows o.
the indented SCOT, Tom took bis departur
to attend his father, whom be found prett,
well, though much exhausted from loss q
blood. After the old mans WOUND had beel
dressed as well as circumstances would ad
NIT, a warm soothing potion, administered
hy MIR. keveley, who understood somethin,
OF medicine was given, which having drunk
be fell into comfortable sleep.
A consultation was now held upon deck
as to the course to be pursued. Some ad
vised that they should proceed on their voy
age, whilst some we're for running back to
armOuth Roads, to see if the frigate which
they bad passed on the previous morning
still remained, in order that they might
give intelligence as to the route of the
Frenchman.
The last plan was adopted, and the yes
sci was put before the wind-only stopping
as she passed to inform each Of her consorts
OF the particulars Of the engagement. The
crews of the vessels cbeered the T,ceed. as
she passed with her flag at her gaff, and
with the union now upwards, instead of be
ing inverted, as formerly. The wind being
fair, they soon reached the Roads, and to
their great JOY bebeld the frigate still lying
In the same situation as when they had
passed her. Tom Immediately bore down
upon her, and the watch on board the frig-
ate hailed
w hat ship aboy %
The 7Weed, from London to Leth and
Berwick have been engaged for two hours
with large French privsteer, and have
beaten him off
wv hat direction did be steer 2" was the
next questi, n asked.
" Direct S. E )" was the answer, "and if
you look sharp, you may still catch her
she is a large black brig, low in the
water. with her mainmast raking over her
stern"
The boatswain's whistle was now heard
on board the frigate, calling all hands to
weigh anchor In an instant, the ship was
all life and animation, and such is the ef
feet of strict discipline. that in a few min
utes the frigate was under way, with every
inch of canvas set which could be crowded
upon her spars in pursuit Of the privateer.
Tom, seeing that everything bad been
done as be wished, again made sail to the
northward. After a short time, be arrived
at Lelth, where bis consorts bad already
conveyed the news Of the engagement. As
the 7tCeed entered the harbor, crowds of
people. attracted by the news of the vic
tory. lined the shore, whilst the crews of
every vessel cbeered her as she passed |
Old Bill, whose wound was not at all dan I
gerous. was able to come upon deck and I
the old mans qualification was complete on
observing the joy which their arrival diffused
amongst all classes
After the IDeed had been moored along !
side of the wharf, coach was provided, in
10 which old b Il, with Mr.. Keveley and
his daughter entered aud proceeded to the /
Did mans house but the populace, who
observed what was going forward, took I
out the horses, and drew the coach
along the streets with the loudest acclama-
tIOns.
During the whole time that the TUeed
lay at Leith, her decks were never free from
people, who, most Of them, brought brandy
and whisky to regale the sailors In such
abundance we're these articles supplied that
they not only were sufficient for the 7,0eed's
own crew, but served for jollication to
every sailor in the harbor; and such a scene
of feasting, dancing and merriment went on
as was never witnessed by Leith eithrr be-
fore or since. The same reception awaited
the T,Ceed on her arrival at London, where
they found the privateer with whom they
had been engaged, lying alongside Of the
frigate, who had taken her after long
chase On making enquiries they learned
that the Frenchman had lost twenty
FIVE men, with nine wounded - their
last " broadside" " having killed their lieu
tenant
Old Bill rapidly recovered from bis
wound, which was not dangerous; and
he was soon enabled to take command
Of his vessel, which had made two or three
VOYAGES to London under thr command of
Tom.
Mr. and Miss Keveley had retired to the
villa ge Of Norham, beautifully situated on
the banks Of the Tweed, where they con
tinued for some time with Tom aunt, Mrs.
Burton. The old gentleman, finding that
bis native air was beneficial to bis wasted
constitution, resolved to settle there, for the
remainder Of bis days, and be accordingly
rented a neat cottage at the extremity Of the
village.
Here Tom had frequent opportunities Of
becoming better acquainted with Catherine,
and every time be beheld her she improved
10 his regard. 1t was on the second voyage
after old Bill had again taken possession Of
bis vessel tnat be and his son Tom were
conversing together on deck. After a
few preliminary " hems, the old man be
gan
"Tom, my boy, have been thinking
that it is now time YOU had wife A
sailor is never comfortable until he get
married. "
Tom replied that he thought it time
enough.
''What would you think of Miss Kevele,
for wife III asked Bill, without attending
to b . sons reply.
"Tbe only fault that | could find wit
> ber is that she is too good for me. DO 20
think" continued he, that Miss Kevele
, would ever marry a sailor z"
CAS- unlikely ships as that have come
e land before now" replied Bill, :" an
! wherefore should Mis- Keveley not MARI