Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-03-30
miscellaneous.
JUDY
From Chamber journal.

AZ dawn on February morning iiny
years s.uce, the lookout on board the sio"p
Of war Rosebud. engaged In rrpres>ing the
slave traffic on the African coast, reported
a suspicious sail about eight miles 10 lee
ward. Chase being made, the vessel was
quickly identified by the delighted pureu-
err as the Arrow, noted SLAYER. whose
capture had hitherto proved Impossible :;
her captain and mate. both English: being
men distinguished alike for skill and hard
ihoOd, and possessing far more accurate
knowledge of the coast than was furnished
20 those newly arrived by the imperfect
charts of that time.
The keen Arrow had not been slow 10
discern her danger. Up went her helm and
away she flew. With studdinS-sails set
despite the greatly increasing wind-shap-
ing her course for a small but sure cove
very Little visited, aud most probably un-
known 10 the RCsebud's commander stu
ated about hundred miles north of the
Loaugo.
The chase had commenced about seven
O'Clock in the morning. and by three. land
wa, reported. something less than twenty
miles distant. the chase was five miles
still TO leeward, and apparently running
straight for the nearest headland.
A. they approached. the land rose high,
aud shelving toward the shore. displayed
small clumps. marking itself as that kind
OF coast which generally terminates in
rocks.
strange remarked Captain HendeI-
sou of the Rosebud. The fellow : head
ing straight for that beach. II he escapes
drowning he should hang for at least hun
dred murders. They say he never ships
less than a hundred aud twenty at trip.
a.parhafz III rot IL n the ftnutS.
said the first lieutenant, Mr.. Hall. Wind:
freshenlng. sir. Had we not better shorter
sail and close reef topsailsT
Yes. Turn the hands up at once. bend
! cables. and have all ready for coming tC
/ an anchor. II this gale holds, ! doubt i
We could weather this shore. Send ne th'
| charts
| In vain did he, with the master, examine
\ those documents. The surveys had beer
\ evidently incomplete. and there was mere
\ ly dubious mark, indicating the posslbil
| ity OF a cove somewhere at hand. The cap
tain gave orders to reef courses and not Il
bear up after the chase, but keep gooC
lookout upon her and get a cast of thu
deep-sea lead.
Thirty fathoms, sir; fine hard sand,
reported a quartermaster. 'Chase still
continues to run for the shore. although
| shortening sail"
How tar is she from land. think you !?
About four miles. outstanding en-,
on.
How far from us?'
About the same, sir"
Il think, sir" Mr.. Hall remarked. as h
saw his chief glance at the tremeRdou
sea rolling in, ''we had better crop of
We need not lose sight OF her and can an
chor also. should she do So"
You are right. Hall. Still, fear tina
to beat out against this sea is impossible
aud as TO anchoring, you hear We have
sandy bottm. Nothing would hold
.Shall we try the other thing, sir!'
Yes. Try. Set the courses. Dow
your top-gallant yards and masts on deck
Clap on preveDter-braces, and keep he
half a point off the wind, SO as to fore
reach"
In this not very pleasant situation. by N
means sure of escaping wreck. and wit
the ship that had lured them into DANCE
standing in as coolly as If fentering fami
lar haven. we leave the Rosebud for tn
moment. and board the chase.
Twill be touch and 60" observe
Rawley, the mate, to the captain OF th
SLAYER.
The person addressed was short. thicl
set, smail-eyed vagabond, dressed in
round jacket and glazed hat with bioa
brim. large rough trowsers. and an oil
weather-worn glass stuck under his arm
He seemed perfectly uncohcerned, thoug
the vessel under him was apparently rusl
ing on to inevitable destruction.
"1ouch and goi Ii we had kept TO 81
II would have been touch and take. We,
been in here before. Why not again?
all ready to anchor there?"
"All ready, sir"
I'm fUretopsall. Don't be nice in u
furling. There's the entrance. Starboar
: you, Jones'"