Connecticut western news., 1874-04-24

Thou gain'st the unbeliever's brain
 By entering at his heart.
 THE DOUBLE ESCAPE.
 In the fall of the year 1872. some three or four months after the declara- tion of war, fleet of eight or ten small | craft was fitted out of Salem. bv Will liam Paul and others, intended for the Philadelphia four trade. Among them was the schooner Fox, 8 little fore-and- after Of about fifty tons. Samuel Hode- don, master-Geerge Henssler, mate an old and experienced pilot. by the name of Eldridge, and the boy Bill. from whom, by the way, we derive these particulars, formed her comple- ment of men. Our little Fox was in ballast-save in her hold snuely slowed against the bulkheads, for those were not strictly temperance times, was 8 barrel of American gin. Thus appoint ed the Fox topped her boom and was oil, with fair wind and agood promise of success, for late arrival stated that no cruisers were to be seen in the bay.
 On the fourth morning they found themselves of Great Egg Harbor and, much to their chagrin, in the close hborhood of strange sloop-of-war. Running away was out of the question and in answer to one or two rather pressing invitations, by 8 messenger not over particular in regard to forms and ceremonies, the Fox hauled her wind and stood for her unweleome neighbor. -. r " ."'' Nabbed, by Jupiter r said the old pilot, squirting small cataract of to- bacco juice to leeward, az he saw a boat put off from the sloop- p-of-war filled with men. s,>s <
 In few moments Capt. Hodgdon had the pleasure of being told that he was prize to his Britannia Maiesty's sloop-of-war Prometheus, of seveteen guns, and that the company of himself and mate was particularly requested on board. With as good a grace as could be mustered the requis1tion was com piled with, and the captain and mate repaired on board.
 With the consent of the commander the captain and mate were permitted to go on board their own vessel for the night, which was in charge of a middy and nine men. During the night the two vessels were to lay of and on in the harbor, close in company, although with such force on board the schooner of course not the least suspicion was entertained of an attempt to recap ture. Not relishing, however, the idea of making so unpfoftable voyage nor of seeing their little craft burned and themselves prisoners if it were not, Henssler, the mate, and the boy Bill laid their heads together to retake the schooner. Rather formidable under taking, it must be confessed, with ten armed men on board and the guns of the sloop p-of-war, like sleeping thunder, frowning upon them. Undeterred by the almost hopelessness of their task, Henssler and the boy arranged the plot, giving the captain and the pilot hint of their intentions, which they readily acquiesced in. ...;
 The night set in and our determined fellows set about the accomplishment of tEeir work. At this time the two vessels, having made considerable off ing, were lying to-the sloop-of war under reefed tepsails, and the schooner immediately under her guns, with her helm lashed a-lee, her fore and mainsail trimmed close aft. and her jib hauled to windward. About 8 o'clock Hens sler and the pilot turned in, while the bcaptain and middy sat chatting together in the cabin over dim ight-the boy Bill in the meantime being on deck with the sloop-of-war's men, who were lounging around the windlass, cracking jokes, telling long yarns, listening ap- parently with the greatest interest to l the stories of old salts. g4
 I say," said one of them, as he wound up his yarn, "you have been sitting there chuckling this half hour bad manners to you-can't you do something toward helping out the even ing's entertainment ?" 5aE
 {" What can do ?" was Bills laugh ing reply.
 "Have you plug of tobacco about | you, youngster? have been on short allowance of tarred rope for two months. 4s r .4 4&
 have no tobacco" said Bill eff I could get at the shippers chest, I might smuggle bite for you. But I tell you what" he added, lowering his voice, "there'e barrel of gin on board, and if you'd like to whet your whistles, guess I can hook drop. The old man won't mind it, seeing he is going to get clear tomorrow. Will that do?'' -.
 Of course this proposition received the eager assent of all hands. A bucket and dipper were soon found, the matches silently removed, and Bill crept slyly down the hold after the coveted liquor, the men in the meantime raising their voices in conversation in order to drown any noise that Bill might make 1n se- curing the prize. After while he ap- peared with the bucket full of gin, and g hearty swig was taken all around. It may be supposed that such good op- portunity was not permitted to pass un- improved, and the ''main brace" was "spliced" pretty often. -.
 After while the bucket being dry, more than one hint was given that a fresh nip would not be disagreable. Bill demurred at first but by repeated urging at last reluctantly consented to bring on another bucket. It was brought, emptied and replenished l again. In fact Bill piled them so brisk I ly with liquor that, though not over strong, before long they were all in a comfortable state of somnolency.
 Having. assured himself that there was no danger to be apprehended from his late boon companions, Bill c1ept aft and giving a preconcerted signal Henssler left his 1berth and sauntered on deck, with only a part of his dress on for fear of exciting the suspicion O { the middy, who sat half dozing ovel some newspapers which the captain had furnished him. The first object of tn, mate and the young conspirator was tx
 secure the arms of the sleepers, b, which time the pilot also came on deck With his assistance the men wer 2 bound and bundled down the fore peak