The Republican journal., 1872-06-27


hot pursuit OF an English boat about the
size of his own, oft the harbor of Toronto.
then known as Little York, he was sur
prlsed by larger craft, which cut off all
chance of escape. The officer in com
mand of the'new-comer, standing up in his
boat, exclaimed: "We've got you at last,
old fellow" The boats were not more
than twenty yards apart Gregory, high
ly excited, seized musket from the
hands Of one Of his men and took aim at
the British officer BY way of reply. The
sailor knocked up the muzzle of the gun,
and the ball flew high up in the air
Further resistance was useless He
surrendered and was taken on board the
hag-ship Of Sir James Yeo, then living in
the harbor. He was detained there for
some time, afterwards being sent to Hall
TAX, and subsequently to England. He
renamed at Dartmoor prison until the
peace OF 1911.
He used to describe his adventures,
previous to his capture and during his
Imprisonment, with graphic power, his
talent at narration being something un-
common. A Mr. Bushnell of Saybrook,
Connectlcut, had invented submarine
| torpedo of great destructive force, capa-
| ciC vi 'loWltIO lilc utdNit'Sl snip ltltD Tue
air. There was lying at Kingston a large
British frlgdFe, ready to sail and intended
| to join the fleet of the Commodore off
Little York. Commodore Chauncey was
then at Sackett's Harbor, getting a force
IN readiness OF sufficient strength 10 meet
the Englshman. Gregory, obtaining the
Commodore'S reluctant permission, start
ed for point opposite Kingston to try the
| explosive power OF the torpedo on the
British trigate. Having everything pre-
pared, ne lay concealed on the shore until
few hours before daylight, when he
started on his novel and perilous eXpedi-
ton. Clad IN nothing but a flannel shirt
and drawers. with cord about his neck Of
sufficient length to reach across the river
the torpedo being attached to the other
end, he plunged iii and made ior the tri@-
ale. The current of the st. Lawrence is
pretty strong, but Gregory swan like a
duck. Still he was so long in crossing
that by the time he had climbed on to the
rudder of the ship and drawn his torpedo
over, and was ge ting ready to screw il to
the bottom of the trigate. the drum beat
to quarters on board, she being about to
proceed up the lake to Join the Commo
dOre. There was no time for Gregory to
prosecute his enterprise, and nothing to
do but make his way back to the Ameri-
can side of the river. With the cord still
about his neck he quietly slid into the wa
ter and swan across Leisurely pulling
the torpedo back again, he remained IN
concealment until nighttal, when he start
ed for Sackett's Harbor About a mile
from that point he discovered the remains
Of a lime kiln. Bv this time he had be
come dsgu5ttd with his expedition and
determined to have nothing more TO do
with tOrpedoeS or any other illegitmate
weapons OF war 50 he set off the de-
structive missile in the lime kiln, blowing
| the thing to pieces with a tremendous
noise, greatly to the CONSERVATION of the
surrounding country.
Some time afterwards Gregory captured
British boat IN command of a lieutenant
with crew of about dozen men Douh-
ling point on the Canada shore, he came
unexpectedly upon British barge of three
tunes the SIZE of his own craft There
was no escape, except by a strata9en.
His men pulled with all their might, but
the barge was rapidly gaining on him. A
thought struck him "Can you swim ?"
said he To the British officer. Yes, bat
why do yon inquire ?" PPM glad of it on
your account, for overheard You should
have gone any way, swim or no swim ;
tor ! am not to be taken prisoner if can
help IT. The lieutenant demonstrated
against the harbarlty of throwing him in
to the lake, threatening Gregory with all
sorts of vengeance when he should fall
INTO the hands of the British. But all in
vain. When the barge was near enough
to distinguish the officer, Gregory threw
him overheard, and then pulling of in a
contrary direction made his escape, while
the British craft was detained in rescuine
him.
A few days after Gregory's capture,
Commodore Chauncey sent him fifteen
golden eagles. The wardroom officers Of
the ship intimated that they would like to
put wings TO Brother Jonathan's yellow
birds, and introduced n gambling game
called "blind hockey" 1t was played IN
this way The dealer plays against the rest
OF the party, as in vngt-un. The pack is
shutfled and cut. and the dealer delivers u
card to each player tace down, who bets
any amount he pleases, the wager being
that hls card is of a higher denomination
than the top card OF the remainder OF the
pack in the dealers hand. The cards are
then turned to decide the bet Gregory
had a wonderful run Of luck, winning al
most constantly, until he had cleaned out
the officers of the ship. The army officers
in the vicinity tried their hands, with q
similar result. Gregory won all the money
they had. rs we'll as u couple Of fine
cavalry horses that were stAked on the
cards. The game then came to an end.
the funds Of the Englishmen being wholly
exhausted, and the Yankee sailor refused
to give credit.
Determined to have their revenge, they
sent to Kingston for Scotch major noted
for his skill at cards, and who kept HIM
self well supplied with money by his dex-
terity in all games then in vogue. He
came up with ample funds as was sup
posed, and tull of confidence i'm his capaci-
ty to strip Gregory of his winnings The
game was made up, the major supplying
his friends with money to play with; but
the contest was to be between himself and
Gregory. The newcomer got the deal,
and the game began. Gregory had de-
posted his gains, consisting OF gold,
silver, and bills of exchange, in Il horse
mans boot which hung in his wardroom.
The cards We're dealt, and Gregory, thrust
ING his hand into the boot, drew out u
large sum which he laid down as his bet
| The maiOr smiled sardonicallv and turued
his top card, which proved to be a queen
"Ah, Mr.. Gregory said he triumphant
", ''the odds are heavily against you.
| Nothing but an ace or king can save You"
"Y ou have rather high card, to be sure
was the answer. "I'll give you halt my
stake, without turning my card NO,
sir, we play to keep in this game. | am
not disposed to surrender any advanta ge."
''And so you won't give me any portion
of my bet, if | acknowledge beat ?' "Not
one tarthing. This is no child's play"
"Will you allow me to increase the bet 9''
said Gregory. "To any amount you
please" replied the major. Gregory
plunged his hand into the boot again, and
bringing up large sum laid it on the
table, exclaiming, "lf | haven't got an
ace I'll agree to be shot" The card was
turned, and it was an ace, sure enough.
The majors funds were not enough to pay
the bet, and he gave Gregory his note for
a considerable amount to meet the de-
iciency, and went back to Kingston in
disgust. The note was never paid
Lieutenant Gregory commanded the
,x~l.