The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-04-15


apart from the rest, upon the starboard
quarter, who seemed by his intense gaze t.
be trying to make out some vessel at dis
tanee. After gazing for few moments, be
took two or three hasty steps along the deck
and again came b ok to his place and CAV,
another look At length, apparently DO
able to satisfy himself as to the object O
bis scrutiny, be came to the companion anc
took from thence the glass, which having
adjusted, he made a sweep across th,
horizon, till it bore on the object of BIZ
search.
"What do you see there ?" asked Ton
of the sailor.
Something that | doesn't like" replied
Bill Mossman II am much mistaken il
there isn't ship shaping course to cut III
off from the other smacks"
The other sailors, hearing the converse
ton, now came aft and took part in it.
Here" said Tom, Take the helm q
moment and give me the glass;
Tom accordingly, seizing the glass, took
a look at the vessel and continued for few
moments silently scanning her, in spite Of
the lnterrOgat0rles which we're poured in
upon him BY the sailors as to the appearance
Of the stranger
"Call up my father" were the first
words of Tom; 81 don't like the look Of
that vessel. Although she Is at a great
distance, yet can make her out not to be
q merchantmsn; and, besides, what does
sbe mean by steering direct for usP Her
movements are, at all events, suspicious !"
At this moment old Bill came upon deck
and, after q scrutlniziDg glance through the
glass, be ascended the rigging. There be
had not continued long when be bawltd
down to the deck, in voice of thunder that
4" be might be blowed if be didn't think
that she was one of the rascally French pri
vateers"
! This announcement threw the whole Of
the seamen iato the utmost dismay, and
then ensued scene of confusion which
woald battle all description. Half dozen
voices were heard at once, recommending
different things, whilst each appeared too
fond of delivering bis own opinion to listen
to that of his neighbor The voice of old
Bill, however, who had again descended,
soon restored order.
This is most unlucky," said he. "Ths
blackguard means to cut us off from our
comrades; be has got the weather gage of
them, and for US to run down to them would
be to run ourselves into the lions mouth.
But never fear, my lads, continued be
" We may contrive to give the Frenchman
the slip, for all that"
Had we not better make the signal for
the other smacks to join us as fast as pos
sible ~ asked Tom.
That's right" said bis father. bend
the signal haulyards and send up the ensign
with the union down"
Ay, ay, sir" responded the men, in
whose minds the assured tone of their cap
tain had inspired confidence; and in n min
ute the British ensign was unfurled to the
breeze, but, as the captain had ordered,
with the union downward, which had been
the preconcerted signal for joining. The
signal was Immediately answered BY the
smacks, but they were too far astern to af-
ford any reasonable hope Of immediate as
sietance Nevertheless, old Bill proceed
ed, with his accustomed coolness, to give
bis order for clearing bis ship for action.
The TUeed was a large, powerful smack.
and although not, Of course, fitted out for
war, yet on her deck were displayed half
dozen twelve pound carTonades, which, how
ever untitled for an engagement at great
distance, yet, in running fight and at
short stretch, were capable Of doing what
Brother Jonathan would call "pretty con-
siderable execution" They were also
provided with ammunition OF ali sorts and,
although not match in the number OF men
for the Frenchman-which would, if pri-
vsteer, in all probability be crowded. yet
old Bill, as he glanced bis eye over bis ttir-
teen hardy fellows, who we're looking to
him for orders, felt assured that, if not VIC
tory, at least escape might be possible
Get the ship clear, my lads" shouted
be; take in the jibtopsail-it will do more
harm than goOd-slue round the guns and
get the lashiDgs off them"
These orders were speedily executed, and
everything which was not absolutely neces
sary was removed off the deck The ropes
were all eoiled out of the way, and the men
took of their upper jackets and remained
in their trowsers and shirts. The ammu-
milton was now handed upon deck, and the
guns were soon loaded with full dose OF
grape and canister.
"Now, my lads, keep the ports closed
| ALL I 0iv., x,n-, ho xuorA I ro~A - - .
the privateer think we are not armed or that
we have not made him out."
Two Of the sailors at this moment came
from below, bringing, each Of them, couple
Of muskets, which old Bill Immediately Or
dered again to be taken below, adding that
they could only be useful in case of close
quarters, in which they could never hope to
cope with the Frencbman, 50 that they
would only be an eBcumbrance. Every
arrangement seemed now made which pru-
dence could suggest Two men were or
dered forward to work the headsails, and
one to stand aft by the main sheet, to assist
the vessel in stays; the rest he stationed al
the guns; the steering be took upon him
self The excitement attendant upon tht
clearing Of the vessel for action had driver
the remembrance of bis passengers from ole
Bills mind. The case, however, was diff
! terent with Tom, for his anxiety for tb,
safety Of the sweet, pensive girl who haC
, been committed to their care had completely
banisbed from his mind all thoughts Of him
. self. AS soon as the arrangements for en-
gaging had been made, Tom entered th
cabin and acquainted Mr.. Keveley and hi
/ daughter, as delicately as possible, hoy
matters went. Catherine stood for som
r moments as one stupefed at last her grie
q found utterance in food Of tears, and SD
! sobbed convulsively on the bosom Of be
father.
"Oh, my father II she exclaimed eva