The Portland daily press., 1873-12-27
Seth .DOOlittle Ships.


part of March, 1776. The British held pos
session Of Boston, and were harassed on all
sides by the gathering Patriots. The sea
was the only avenue OF supply aud commun-
cltion open TO them, and even i'll that direc-
ton there was much trouble.
The quarters OF Gen. Sir William Howe
were in modest mansion en- the southwest
corner OF Milk and Oliver streets. On this
evening there was company inside the house,
and outside, beneath the shelter of a portico,
stood two men closely enveioped in thick
clotks and engaged in an earnest discus
sion.
81 assure you, Sir William, cannot spare
a vessel from MY fleet. Clinton already has
too manv of them away. Ii you must have
the GRAND done you will have to take the
brig
''But M dear Admiral, the brig is the
property OF private Individuals"
And Der captain is ank rebelp' broke
in the other. with an oath.
Never mind what her captain may be-"
said Howe. Il kn, W that The principal
oa MFR is Inclined TO be friendly to the king.
and we cannot afford to lose even one of cur
influential friends in this beleagured city,
''rhere is no eed of losing them,'' re-
turned the admiral. who was hone other than
the rough, INSCRIPTIONS Snuidham. who la d
lately relieved Graves in the command of the
king naval forces in the Colonies. 81 can
cJntriVe y way to send ner eff upon this mis-
sion. aud Ter owners shall be none the wiser
for six mcnth.'
And how can that be done? % asked Sir
William ready to ado any safe measure
that could serve MS cause.
'The brig is waiting for run to Virginia,
and ouy wants for men. | can let some of
my own men SHIP on board.''
Il see,' said the general, refectively.
"And you would have enough of your men
to take possession when they get outside ?''
Exactly, Sir William; and / don't think
the brig could be put to better use than serv-
ing the king"
swell, Admiral" replied Howe, after duly
weighing the matter, "you may do as you
please; and if you succeed in getting suf-
ficient number Of men on board to make the
work sure and safe, will trust them with
the dispatches. You will see that cool
headed, Trustworthy men are selected
Leave that to me, General. In three
days the brig shall have with her crew eight
of my best men, with a veteran officer at
their head.''
After a little further conversation the two
men separated, and few moments later a
dark form glided out from beneath the shad-
ow of ID heavy woodbine, and crept stealthily
away. The kings officers knew not thew
had been watched, and that a third person
was possessed OF their secret.
On the following morning CAPTAIN Amos
Buzzel went off TO his brig He had been
trying to get men and had not succeeded.
There were few Patriot seamen in Boston,
and seanen OF other stripes had been i'm
pressed by the British. This brig was the
Matilda, staunch and seaworthy craft.
which had made more than one successful
voyage across the Atlantic. As Captain
Buzzel came over the side he was informed
that countryman bad come off Just after
daylight, and was waiting for him in the
abin.
Upon descending the ladder Buzzel found
MS visitor ready To receive him, and he was
not little struck, or impressed, by the ap-
pearance Of the Individual. 1t was a renu-
inc specimen of the unauthorized Yankee,
with his six feet and two inches of gaunt, sin
envy body quantity doubled up between the
cabin hoor and the timbers of the deck over
mead. But there was nothing sinister in his
look. Good nature and shrevdness were the
Predominant characteristics of his sun-burnt
and weather-beaten face.
"Het-ow is this yew, Capting?" exclaim-
cd The visitor, as much at home as though he
had been mailing an OK In his own barn. ward.
Il am captain Of this brig, sir, if that's
stif1y
.'."ai, rally, Capting, that's jest what Pm
after. I've ben an took a fancy tew bein' a
sailor, an l want tew go ter sea; an I'll be
squashed ct shouldn't like tew 90 in this
ere brig O. yourn.'
well, my good fellow" said the captain.
p'easantiy, Tor the ring of a true Yankee
voice was music in those times to patriotic
ears, 't hardly know what answer
10 give you. We want men: but we
want those that know something of sea.
manship.' VI '''-
80, yeou git eout wasn't born an,
on the hennebec fur nothin'. Wbs. breu
larn in week bout yeour b. - can
SHOWN, meow yeon jest } 70 al if |; WIN NV
name Seth D1olittIe. Jet yer ne. NY
40 Uncle j, b b''' and I've helped dad
Deedu b. afr I'D scewners in Ba b. 1eou
Wiihor> .ud tew t. ust the Doottles."
hire III much further parley Capf. Buzzell
-. Seth for the trip to Richmond and
back.
And on the next day the captain had the
good fortune to pick up eight good men at
spof-hou>e on Saip street, and these eight men
were able seainen, protesting a desire to get
beyond reaei oi tue press gangs.
TIE ew now consisted Of fifteen men be-
81 IL. thu a'praia. six of whom had for some
time sail u in the brig.
Ia,s III 4a.i,A lett the harbor of Boston with
a fair wind, and was sutn outsides Of Cape
Col, Standing on her course. The new men
worked well, anl proved themselves thorough
SIAM "a anu S'lDi. DJZLSt WIS lhcflDcu 10 Ue
thanNfui tina he had secured their sc vices.
On tne second lay out there was c,nsidera-
Die Whispering am)ng the new men; but they
were ora shipnates au5 the ciDtain thought
little 81 IL. Az night the first watch INSIST
ed of five Of these new men and Seth Doc
little. Seth had sept sharp outlook upon the
newcomers during the day, aud he eviden.-
" had something weighty upon his mind. At
ten clock, when the oif-watch we've turnpd
in and asleep. Seth crept down into the cabin
and obtained the key to the paddock of the
main-hatch and on his return he sat down
upon the combing of the h atchway, and very
soon mad succeeded in removing the iron
cross-bar, and in so adjusting the hatch tina,
man in treading upon il would be sure tt
fall through into the hold
"Come, yeou chaps there by the Wheel,
called Seth, when his operations had been
completed. ''If you'll come an set dow,
aide o me, I'll tell ye that story promised
ye.' .-.0
TIE men were either curious to hear the
story or were willing to humor the Yankeo