Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-04-23


reconcilcr of hostile feeling, Il ju. Of
Jamaica rum did very much to wash
out from the British heart the bitter
national prejudices which were at first
entertained against the Yankee pris-
uner.
The morning following the capture,
the Biloxi passed the South shore Of
Nantucket. AT this time, as it was
blowing hard from the southwark, the
vessel was put under short sail. The
appetite of the midshipmen for Jamaica
rum increased with the gale, and az
ter numerous Unsuccessful attempts TO
quench their thirst, they became very
drowsy and when Captain II. very
generously offered TO stand their
watch, they made no opposition. As
soon rs the officers were asleep the
crew were invited TO so and do like
wise-an invitation which an "old
salt never hesitates TO accept.
Captain II. on taking command,
changed the course of the vessel from
cast-north east TO north-north-east
4 which was continued till late the next
morning. As the vessel was running
at least ten knots an hour, the Cap.
Tain went far ON us way, literally re-
joicin..
When the middies came on deck
| about the middle of the forenoon, the
Biloxi was heading cast-north-east
which direction was continued during
the day.
As the following night closed in,
the wind was still blowing hard, now
from the south-sonth-east, u heavy
sea was running, and thick fog rend-
cred it impossible 10 discern any OBJ
jcct half a cables length distant. In
view of these facts, and knowing his
close proximity to the shores of Maine,
Captain II. advised heaving the
schooner To, under double reefed
forcsail-glying As a reason, that as
they were approaching the coast of
Nova Scotia, it would be very impru-
dent TO run further in the darkness.
His advice was accordingly acted up
on.
AS the morning dawned, All Island,
covered with trees, its shores lashed
10y the breaking waves, was discerned.
only very short distance 10 lewArd.
There was no time TO be lost-the jlb
was boosted, the helm put hard 10
starboard. and the vessel falling oil
before the wind, ran around the Is
land and came 10 an anchor in a quiet,
land-locked harbor. The land, 50
dltnly seen through the rain and fog
was not recognized by Captain ii.
though he well knew he was some
where on the coast OF eastern Maine.
Soon n boat containing two men
came along side, Captain ii. saw at
once Ina. its occupants were old ac-
quaintances, whose silence he secur.
ell by signs and gestures, and managed
10 inform them OF the situation OF at
fairs without exciting the suspicious
OF the Englishmen. He was informed
that his vessel was lying in the har.
Tor of Little kennebec," an inlet
within the limits of the town of Machi'
as. The visitors, under the instruc,
ton OF the Captain, gave the midship.
men TO understand that they were al
present in snug harbor, only a short
distance from Halifax.
The officers, taking their own boat
and two of their own men, invited III,
Captain to accompany the mon strol'
on shore. On landing they walked
some distance from the boat, when the
Captain who had loitered behind witt
the two Americans who had followed
them, proposed that with their assis
tance, be would re-capture the vessel
This proposition was assented to.
Suiting the action TO the word, they
turned and ran for the shore but the
officers, quickly discovering the flight
n very exciting race commenced ther
and there--each party making almost
superhuman exertions to be the first
TO reach the boats. The Americans
having the start came in ahead. Tc
throw the oars of one boat well ou
into the water, and TO jump into tho
other and shove off from the shore
was only the work of an instant. To
pull for the vessel at the highest rat,
| VI cpCcu attaiuapiS "ao tiC NAV euihe
in order.
The officers, finding themselves out
witted, began hailing the vessel, will
the attention Of arousing the two men
on board and warning them Of the i'm
pending danger; but the men were
"below," and before they reached the
deck, the indomitable Captain with his
followers was on board. Selling the
two pair of pistols which lay on the
binnacle, and making belligerent de
monstrations, the Yankees intimid
ated the English seamen into an i'm
mediate surrender.
Very soon the middies came pulling
Off, using two boat thwarts in lieu O
oars. Capt. H. promptly challenged
them and told them that they could
come Oh board only to make an uncon
ditional surrender Of themselves as
prisoners of war, which alternative
they accepted without parley.
Two hours later, they were duly put
into the custody of the commander o.
the fort at Machiasport, where the,
remained until exchanged, and sent tc
Halifax. J.C. G.
rur HInpry ToprtvRP -There /,