The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-04-06
STRATEGY OF A QUAKER CAP
TAIN.

| the most improved models, staunch and
trim, and, for those days, of great speed.
Her owner, Jethro Coffin, near relative
Of the English Admiral of that name,
was on board and she was commanded
by Seth Macy, friend and companion
Of Jethro's from boyhood. These two
men, as we'll as most of the crew, were
/ Quakers. But the greater part of Seth S
life had been spent on the high seas, and
his experience in ill-governed Spanish
ports and among savage islanders had
taught him that, though non-resistance
did very well in Nantucket, it was neither
| safe nor easy road to travel anywhere
else and while the Grampus was load
ing for her voyage he had urged Jethro
England was at that time at war with
France, and of course the colonies were
dragged into it also. But Jethro, true
TO his principles, rejected the proposal
| with righteous indignation, and they set
sail, much to Seth s disgust, armed only
with lances and harpoons for warfare
with whales, in search of which they
were to proceed after disposing of their
cargo in London.
They had accomplished about two
thirds of their voyage, and, the ship be-
ing under easy sail, some Of the men
were lounging about the deck, and some
were gathered on The forecastle listening
to yarn from a man-of-war's man who
had been in the English navy.
Forward therel'' shouted the first
mate, who had been sweeping the hori-
zon with his glass.
cay, ay! !" answered the men, readily,
and the marvellous story was cut short
"Jump aloft, one of you who has good
eyes" continued he, land tell me what
you make out of that craft with such
raking mast on, hurrying toward US.
cay, ay! p and several men sprang
aloft
-"Main-top- gala nj, there p hailed the
mate.
cay, ayr replied the man with the
glass. (Ihese Quakers did not use the
| a6ix sir in addressing their officers ev-
cry man, high or low, was called by his
given name, and titles of all kinds were
| eschewed from religious principle.)
'What sort of a craft is to windward,
and how is she standing ?" cried the
mate.
''It is a small black schooner, all legs
and arms, " replied the sailor ''and she
is bearing down for us under press of
sail. Now she runs up flag, and by
the flash and smoke she spits, she has
just fred gun
\ dull, heavy report came booming on
the breeze, and laundering sound
echoed against the ships side. The
mates glass was bent upon the schooner,
whose hull was not yet visible, but the
flag was found to be French.
Steward, call the captain, cried the
mate, in alarm. Forward there call
all hands on deck stand by to put the
ship about"
cay, ay % responded the well trained
sailors, and every man stood at his post,
ready for prompt action. Both Macy
and Coffin appeared upon deck, wonder
ing at being sent for, and surprised to
find every man ready for the word of
command to change the course of the
ship.
"What does this mean 2" asked the
captain why dost thou change the
ships course"
81 don't intend to without thy orders,
said the mate, ''but thought best to
have everything ready for prompt ma
neuvering. We have suspicious look
ing sail on our weather bow, and she
shows French colors. By the rake of
Eer masts and her general rig, I think
she's a clipper, with a long-tom amid
ships; she has given us a gun already" :"
Rather dangerous neighbor for us,
said the captain, "and think she will
prove one of those piratical rascals that
cut up the commerce of these seas but
keep the ship away" continued he, rails
ing his glass again, "and see if she fol-
lows u.s.
Away went the Grampus, with free
ing the spray from her bows handsome
II, on her altered course. The French
man changed also and gained heavily
upon her. The ship was deeply laden
with oil, and would be prize of great
value, and, as Seth thought, was emf
nentiy worth preserving, though the
Frenchman was determined she should
| change owners. They managed their
little craft with great skill, altering their
course with Macy's, and gaining all the
time. The breeze was only brisk, but
it just suited the schooner, while the Ia
den ship, though the feetest of her clas.
could not show her heels 20 advantage
without stronger wind. Macy tried
her on every tack, but escape he could
not-the wedge-Gke schooner gained
upon him at every turn.
'.Now I would give half our cargo for
few guns to speak to that saucy rascal
in his own language said Macy, turn
ing bitterly to Jethro. Now is the
time for those six Founders [ urged thee
about before we left port fear thou
will pay dearly for not taking my ad,
vice. All there comes salute number
| r~-o >,