The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1876-04-29
QUAKER STRATEGY.

Early in the summer of 1854 the good
ship Grampus left the harbor of Nan
tucket, bound for London, with a cargo
of oil. She was new ship, built after
the most improved models, staunch and
trim, 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, a friend and companion OF
Jethro's from boyhood. These two men,
as well as most of the crew, we've Quakers.
But the greater part OF Seth's life had
been spent on the high seas, and his ex-
perience in ill-governed Spanish ports
and among savage islanders had taught
him that, though non-resistance did very
we'll in Nantucket, it was neither a safe
nor easy road to travel anywhere else ;
and while the Grampuswas loading for her
voyage he had urged Jethro to arm her
with four six-pounders; for England was
at that time at war with France, and of
course the colonies sFere dragged into it,
also. But Jethro, true to his principles,
rejected the proposal with righteous in
dignation, 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 the voyage, and, the ship being
under easy sail, some of the men were
lounging about the deck, and some were
gathered on the forecastle listening to a
yarn from a man-ofwar's-man who had
been in the English navy.
Forward there ~ shouted the first
mate, who mad been sweeping the horizon
with his glass.
CAY, ayp answered the men readily,
and the marvellous story was cut short.
"Jump aloft, one of you who has good
eyes," continued he, "and iell me what
you make out of that craft with such rak-
ing masts on our weather bow.
cay, ay" and several men sprang
aloft.
"Main-top- gallant therew hailed the
mate.
cay, ay!" replied the man with the
glass. (These Quakers did not use the
affix sir in addressing their officers every
man, high or low, was called by his given
name, and titles of all kinds were es-
chewed from religious principles.)
"What sort of craft is to windward,
and how is che standing ?" cried the mate.
at is small black schooner, all legs
and arms" replied the sailor; "and she
is bearing down for us under a press of
sail. Now she runs up a flag, and, by
the flash and smoke she spits, she has
Just fired gun"
A dull, heavy report came booming on
the breeze, and laundering sound
echoed against the ships side. The
mates glass was bent upon the schooner,
who:e hull was not yet visible, but the
flag was found tn be French.
Steward, call the captainV' cried the
mate, in alarm. Forward there! call
all hands on deck, stand by to put the
ship about
"Ay, ayw responded the well-trained
sailors, and every man stood at his post,
ready for prompt action. Both Macy
and Coffin appeared upon the deck, wen-
dering 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?" asked the
captain; "why dost thou change the
ships course ~
al don't intend to without ORDERS %
said the mate, "but thought best to
have everything handy for prompt ma
neuvering. We have a suspicious look
ing sail on our weather-bow, and she
shows French colors. BY the rake of her
masts and her general rig, / think she's a
clipper, with a long-tom amidships; she
has given US gun already"
"Rather dangerous neighbor fer 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
follows u.s."
! Away went the Grampus, with a free
wind and the rush of a race-horse, turn
| ing the spray from her bows handsomely
on her altered course. The Frenchmar
turned also and gained steadily upor
her. The ship was deeply laden will
oil, and would be prize of great value
and, as Seth thought, was eminent!
worth preserving, though the Frenchmal
was determined she should change own
ers. They managed their little Graf
with great skill, altering their cours
with Macy's and gaining all the time
The breeze was only brisk, but it jus
suited the schooner, while the laden ship
though the. 'Aeetest of her class, couldn'
show her heels to advantage without
stronger wind. Macy tried her on ever
tack, but escape he could moth
wedge-like schooner gained upon him q
every turn.
"Now l would give half our cargo fo
few guns TO speak to that saucy rasc:
in his own language" said Macy, turr
ing bitterly to Jetbro. "Now is tn
time for those six-Pounders / urged the
about before we left port; fear tho