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

A icy ana 40 you, OdlheIiues Ioiuah
here" But Catherine resolved to ac
company him; and. in spite of Toms SC
licitations to the contrary, they both as
cended.
g bad completely forgotten them, ez
claimed old Bill to himself when he say
them ascend. Poor things | wish the
were well on shore" Mr.. Keveley east hi
eyes on the hostile vessel. Her hull wa
fast rising, for the breeze was fresh, and tb
French tri-colored flag was plainly di'
tingushable at her fore royal mast head
Tom endeavored to persuade them 70 g
again below, and he was joined in bis en-
treaty by old Bill, who told him that the
were only exposing themselves to needles
danger.
E Besides, added the tar, in bis roug
way, "you are only live lumber here. S
you bad better 60 below and get the Bibl
under way as fast as possible"
They allowed themselves to be prevailed
upon, and Tom again took leave of them.
GOod-by," said Catherine, stretching
out her hand. we may never NEE
again. May God bless you for all YOU
kindness to us. Take care and don't ex.
pose yourself to unnecessary danger"
Tom took her proffered hand, and as he
looked upon her mild, beautiful eyes, suf
fused with tears, be vowed that the last droE
of bis blood should be split before harm
should come upon that lovely creature.
When Tom again came upon deck the
Frenchman was within half miles distance.
She appeared to be long, black brig, and
her guns were pointing onward on each side
showing, as the sailors term it, two beautiful
rows of teeth. The seamen Of the TiCeed,
as they stood looking at her, counted seven
guns on each side, and from their size they
appeared twelvePounders.
elf we can only keep her off" said
Bill to his son Tom, " we shall do capital.
ly; but if she once gets alongside Of US, it,
all up"
Hadn't we better, sir" said Bill Moss
man, coming aft, "cut away the boat from
the davits? The vessel is too much by the
stern already"
"That's a good idea said old Bill, ard
the order was executed accordingly.
"Now, my lads" shouted the old tar,
''be ready with your ports, and when give
you the word, burst them open, and fire
away; but keep out Of sight in the mean
time, except one or two Of you"
The deck of the Frenchman was now
plainly visible to those on board the TOsed
A dense mass Of men were seen, but they
seemed clustered thickest near the fore
chains, from which place old Bill thought
they intended to board
III cut you ont of that, anyhow" ex-
claimed be with glee. "I'll show you that
a smack can be fought as we'll as cursed
French privateer, any day"
So saying, he gave orders to ease of
the sheets and, keeping the vessel away,
be made it appear to the Frencbman as il
he bad discovered him for the first time t.
be an enemy, and was endeavoring to es-
cape The Frenchman took the bait, and
making more sail, pursued him under q
press Of canvas; and, as old Bill expected.
came rapidly up with him, and was now
within pistol shot, when Bill suddenly
shifted his helm and hauled his wind right
across the privateer's bow.
Now, my boys" shouted the old tar,
blaze away y when the men, who were
eager for the order, burst open the ports,
and poured rattling broadsIde into her
The smoke which ensued hid everything
from the sight; but the horrid shrek which
arose on board the Frenchman, and
tie crashing of wood splintered by the
shot, gave indication how fearfully the
"tweives" bad told The sailors on board
the T,ceed, were themselves, for moment,
awed by the sight of the work of destruc
ton which they bad made but the voice
of their old commander quickly recalled
them to their duty and they again, with
out moments delay, proceeded to load
their instruments of death The smoke
bad cleared away but the distance was
too great to al them to perceive the ex.
tent Of the Frenchman's loss. Escape
now appeared possible; but old Bills
blood was up and though, by carrying
on press Of sail, be might have got off,
he resolved to give the Frencbman ano-
ther smell Of bis powder.
Cheerily, my lads !" sung out the
old man; keep steady, and We
will give Mr.. Monseer a hearty break
fast, different from what be expected
So saying, be sung out few lines of I
forecsstle ditty, at the top Of bis voice -
"Thsy sailed from the Bay Of St. Peter,
Five hundred and atty on board
Aud we're AL ready ~ meet her
Conqaer or die was tie word.
The spirit Of their captain seemed con
tagious and the crew, one and all, tool
up the two last lines, and beloved it out I
second time, in full chorus.
An ready, bout ship there ?" SUM
out Bill.
"All ready, SIR shouted the men.
"'Bout there, then !" And, in on,
moment, The helm vas put hsro a-ssszs
board, and the vessels bead came roun(
to the wind in fine style.
calls about, there, my boys let G.
the fore-bowliOe u
And this order being executed, tn
7,Oeed was bowling along on the othe
tack, standing towards the Frencbmau
who, having now recO cred from his con
fusion, was again coming up rapidly. Th
privsteer again attempted to board, bu
was again defeated, by the skill and dex
terity Of old Bill in working his vessel
Again they passed each other, and th
Frenchman's broadside of seven guns toll
heavily on the TtOeed's sides and rigging
but the men had Sc well obeyed Bills Of
derS Of keeping out Of sight till the hre
the Frenchman was received, that none {
them was hurt save old Bill himself, wh
was severely wounded. Tue old tar, not
ing daunted at the accident, again gav
his orders to fire. A dense mass Of smok
Immediately rose up in huge columns
J the sky as the order was obeyed, and Il