The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1871-03-31

OF the present day, was becalmed on the
a tlantic Ocean, IN the latitude of the
Capcs of Virginia. There is nothing um.
usual in this fact; but a spectator might
have seen droOping from her peak a
strange flag for those times, unknown
and unrecOgnizcd upon the high seas. Its
blazonry Of red and white stripes SHIN
Mcred like a glory in the sunlight as
some breeze set its folds in motion, and
In the centre Of it's broad field was n pine
tree, at the foot Of which was the rcprt :
sentatiOn Of a coiled snake, with the
motto, "DOn't Tread on Me-"
This was the first flag of the rcbcllious
British Colonies, now the mighty L Cnited
States, which ever flOatsd over the Occar.
Another feature Of the scene was that
The little slOop was heavily armed.
From her portfolios OH either side pro-
truded the muzzle Of half dozen carro-
nadcS, while OH her fore ns.le might be
seen ono Of those favorite and effective
pieces termed ''long Tom," mounted
on pivot. In word, she was fully
manned and equipped for war.
The weather was clear and the surface
OF the ocean scarcely rufilcd by Seats
paw but the commander of the little
craft, who was steadily pacing her deck,
seemed by no means satisfied with the
situation. Ever and anon, as he watched
the h0risOn, his eyes were turned to the
nor'east, as if seeking indications of
weather. Suddenly he paused before
tic officer of tho deck and exclaimed :
"}y the beard Of Neptune, knew it !"
"What is 1t, captain Z"
"rhc fog, sir, no bigger than your hand
now; but IN short time we shall bc cn-
velOpcd in it,
The young officer looked sharply in
the direction indicated, and soon dis
ccrncd dark irregular line above the
horizon, which one less experienced
might have taken for land.
Il believe you arc right, captain" he
said; "but We have good ofiing, and
they ncvcrlast long"
1.-The Offing is we'll enough in it's way.
sir" replied tho commander, with sharp
metallic ring TO his voice 'but we are
right Oh the cruising ground ofthc Brit
ish mcm-Of-war, and before your fog
clears off we may be in one Of their
|clutchcs."
Even as they converecd the fog bank
visibly increased, and, to the experienced
|cyc Of tho commander, il was bringing
the wind with il. Directions were there.
:Ore given to get the sloop under easy
sail, and have cvci ything ready for Il
|squall. This was scarcely done before
she was cnvcIopcd in the driving mist.
The breeze, however. soon died away,
and she hoated idly on The water. COM
plctcly cnshroudcd by the fog. 1t was
carly morn when this happened, and the
observation continued several hours. All
half-past eleven, the captain, who had
gone below fora few moments. suddenly
put his head above the hatchway, and
demanded, in an angry tone:
"Who dared 10 strike that bcll!"
II needed not the dee K officers reply:
''It is not our bell, SIR
For still the measured strokes rang out
until the full tally of eleven was com
plctc, and the shrill whistle Of boat
swain was heard, followed by his lloarsc
voice calling:
"All hands to grog. ahoy!'
a mam-Ot.war, and close aboard Oh
Our. weather quarter, by the beard Of
Neptune - exclaimed the commander ot'l
the sloop. 'Easc her of before the wind,
and set all sail. Mr.. Barney: no noise,
but quick work.
The order was too late, for tho fresh !
cning breeze had dissipatc,l tho top lay
or Of the fog. and tho upper spars ola
large ship were visible not more than
three cable lengths 10 windward. As
often happens with fog drift, less than
five minutes sufficcd to lift the vail, and
our little slOop found herself under the
guns Of a large frigatc, at whose peak
fOatcd tho ''mctcor flag Of England
The clear, bright eyes Of the Amcri-
can captain fairly glistcncd with fire, and
his firm lip was set with determination.
"Camght or not, as 1t may be :we shall
sec. No British dungeon for me, though.
What do You say, my men! Hist! no
cheers your eyes speak,
This was addressed to the crew, who
had crowded on deck /; and 50 perfect
was the discipline, that though no word
was spoken, the comm sndcr Of the sloop
understood that every soul there would
live or die at his word.
"Sloop, aloyl lower your gait, aud
pass under my lcc,' was tho naughty
hoarscly beloved through
the trumpet 0fthc British officer.
cay! ay" returned tho American
whose position was on the
lee bow Of the f'rigaic, and who, instead
Of running off before tho wind, which
attempt would have been madness, wore
dropping his peak IN apparent
and passed under the fOrrni- |
dablc broadside Of tho kings cruiser,
being expected to "hcavc 10" and sur
render under her quarter. Just rs she
was full abcam, the British captain, who
had come ON deck, perceived that tho
sloop's flag had not been lowered, and
exclaimed, IN q furious tone:
"lIaul down that rebel rag, orI'll sink
your
The American commander WIS fully
alive 10 the peril Of his situation, and
fully equal to II lie had determined that
his flag should only 20 down with his
vessel, but he felt that craft was allow
alllc III eucl an eMcrYcncy. SO, while one