The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-05-31

schooner gained upon him at every
turn.
"Now 1 would give half our cargo
for few guns TO speak to that satfcy
rascal in his own language" said Ma
cy, turning bitterly to Jethro. "Now
is the time for those six-pounders l
urged thee about before we left port !;
| fear thou will pay dearly for not TAX
ing my advice. Ali there comes sa-
lutte number two"
A gun was fred by the Frenchman
across the bow of Grampus, warning
her to heave to. Macy paced the deck
in agony Of spirit, muttering words as
he went that sounded much like swear
ing. He ordered the Grampus to be
kept off two or three points and fore.
top mast studding-sai set; but in the
hurry by some mishap the tact got un-
rove. A couple of hands we're order
ed aloft to rig in the boom and reave
ia the tact anew. Isaac Coffin, son of
Jethro, who had struggled himself on
hoard against his fathers express or
ders, and who had hardly made his
peace with him yet, heard the order,
and seizing the end of the rope with
his teeth rap up the foreshrouds, crept
out on the top of the foreyard like a
monkey, and then out on the bare
boom. But before he had half done
his task the Frenchman brought their
long-ton, charged with small shot, to
bear upon the yard, and let fly at
Isaac; thinking, probably, the addi-
tional sail might enable the Grampus
to escape. Young Coffin was unharm-
ed though the balls whistled about
him like hail, and he went fearlessly
on with his work.
"They are charging the gun again."
shouted Jethro. "Come down, my
boy; creep in creep in! Catch the
halliards and come down with run I"
GAY, ayr cried Isaac, as he finished
resving the tack, and gathering a few
fathoms in his hand threw the coil
down on the forecastle, and the men
then hoisted the sail instantly. The
Frenchman aimed his gun again, but
Isaao was descending like flash, and
as he reached the deck the sailors
fairly hugged him in their Joy and
admiration of his bravery.
The hasty strides of Seth were again
arrested by another shot which passed
through the sail over his head. He
clinched his hands and looked up at
the torn sail.
"By heavensl" said he, I will not
part with so fine a ship and cargo
without deadly struggle"
"Swear not" said Jethro; sit will
not help us in our strait. We had
better yield quietly to the necessity.
Put down the helm, Seth and bring
the ship to-"
"Yield quietly, didst thou say2
Did l understand thee Alright when
thou bidst me bring the ship to 2"
The eyes of Seth glared upon Jethro,
ard his nostrils distended like a bull
at bay.
"Put down the helm, indeed Jethro
Coffin, who is commander ofthe Gram
pus, thou or ~ demanded Macy, in
a heat of passion.
"Jethro answered camly, "Thou
surely art her captain. Save the
ship, if thou canst, but thou can'st
not. We have no means of defense,
and if we had it would not be justifa.
BILE to oppose with arms"
"Jethro, 1 will save this ship or
sink in her. What yield to that
little gad-fy-a gallinipper that is
scarcely larger than our long boat? ?"
Another shot, better directed, spin.
tered the mainmast little and woun-
ded two men.
"There, Jethro that is some of the
tender mercy for the French pirate
foretaste of what we may expect if
taken"
"Yield, Seth The longer thou delay,
The more hazard to the lives of our
people; he is a man of warl"
go thou below, Jethro! l COM
mand here! Yield, indeed I" he NUT
tered, as Je,hro began to descend; l
will sink frstp'
"Stand by there, men p shouted
Seth, in a voice which made every
sailor start. 1t was evident that he
had put off the Quaker, and the men
responded heartily to it. "Get the
long-boat ready to be launched at a
moments warning; clear away the
quarter-boats, and see all clear to low
er them in an instant. Mate, take in
all the small sail at once"
Macy's voice and manner we're res.
olute and peremptory, and the men
executed the orders promptly and
urara raadu for the navt thouoh Unn