The Portland daily press., 1871-10-18

THE e. A. Horton was first seized near st.
George, N. S., by Capt. Tory, of the Domin-
ion cutter Sweepstakes, and taken to Guys
borough to await the decision of the Admrai-
ty Court for violation of the fishery laws As
is the case with these seized vessels, her rig
cling, all but the standing, her sails, her COM
passes, and in fact, all her movable property,
were taken out and slowed away. She was
full of fare mackerel, was about to return to
Gloucester, her port, and was owned by Nc
Kenze, Knowton & Co., which firm had a
vessel seized in the same port ane year ago.
She was a new craft aud fine one OF her
class. The story of her escape is substantial
ly as follows, according to Gloucester letter !:
A schooner from Gloucester (whose name
and owners are known, but not given for obvi-
GUS reasons) was cruising about the harbor
where the Horton lay, and it was determined
to take the vessel home if possible. To do this
it was necessary to gain the help of some Do
minion pilot, and one acquainted with the lay
OF the land and water. An old smuggler so
called, was found willing to assist, and took his
oath to keep ali the proceedings secret.
The crew of the cruising schooner were told
OF the undertaking, and call for volunteers
made. Every man was on hand, and ready to
fight, if need be, tor some OF these very men
had been captured only year before, land we're
| on the Q0i UiUe to gam their revenge. Six men
were chosen, and these went on shore and were
hidden for several days in barn among the
| hay, waiting for an opportunity to run the
| Horton off Adverse and head winds, storms,
&C.. delayed them, and last of all the "old
| smuggler" who had been feeding them during
| the Intervening time, fell from a shed and
broke one or both his legs. 1t was then feared
that the endeavor must fail, but the ''Old pi-
rate" was equal to the emergency, and called
in another moral character, and his son, who
would "do the thing" in his place.
AT last the night came when the wind, It'd e
and everything seemed to be in favor of the
fisher lads, and when it was late into the night
they stole down to the vessel and stole into
the storeroom where the rigging, sails COM
passes &c, were stored, stole them and stole
away. When they had reached the ship with
the traps all secured, it was found they had
| taken the wrong fxings, and these belonging
| to another vessel. AS they did not wish to DE
called thieves, they went back and changed
this time getting the right ones, the Horizons
| own clothes. The sails were fastened BY the
| bolts and rings alone, and all expedition was
| shown, even in arranging the light tackling.-
| But alas! when it was tried to get under way
it was found that the vessel was stuck, and
| was drawing several more inches than were to
| be had at that state of the tide. Over goes the
| anchor into the long boat, and sooD it is buried
| in the British mud far ahead of the craft. The
| six men pull her away from her prison, and
soon under full sail, though but lightly hitch
ed, she goes out of the harbOr a flying. Where
she is no one knows for certain, but hourly
she is expected at this port.
Her aider and abettor in the escape has be-
come her torerunDer, and brought these details
to the excited village. This vessel says that
she was boarded by two revenue cutters in
Dominion waters, while she endeavoring
To land the man and boy who bad acted as pi-
lots TO the Horton. She had taken these men
from the Horton and had agreed to land them,
hut il was only by the most unwonted cheek
that the opportunity could be gained. She
first ran in alongside the revenue cutter and
dropped anchor. On being boarded, told a
ST. a'ght forward story 10 listen to, but slight
flo 10 tell, and after second boarding, under
cover Of night got the man and boy ashore and
started tor home, reaching this port some days
igo. Her crew, which, consisted of men and
boys, fifteen all told, was diminished by the
six " no remained from Wednesday night I'M
Til Sunday .'ali among the hay" and then got
the Horton away.