The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1876-03-09

q long amldships; she has given
US gun already
"Rather dangerous neighbcr 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,
and see if she follows u.s."
Away went the Grampus, with a
free wind and the rush of a race
horse, turning the spray from her
bows handsomely, on her altered
course. The Frenchman turned also,
and gained steadily upon them. The
ship was deeply laden with oil, and
would be prize Of great value, and,
as Seth thought, was eminently 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 ladened ship, though the Aeetest
of her class, couldn't show her heels
to good advantage without stronger
wind. Macy tried her on every tack,
bu, escape he could not--the wedge
like schooner gained upon HIM at
every turn.
"Now | would give half the cargo
for few guns to speak to that saucy
rascal in his own language" said Ma
cy, turning bitterly to Jethro. "Now
is the time for those six. Founders l
urged thee about before we left port;
fear thou will pay dearly for not
taking my advice. All. there comes
salute number two
A gun was fred across the bow Of
the Grampus, warning her to heave
to. Macy paced the deck in agony
of spirit, nuttering words as he went
that sounded much like "dan,aation."
He ordered the Grampus to keep off
two or three points and = fore-sop
mast studding sail set; but in the
hurry by some mishap the tack got
unrove. A couple of hands were or
dered aloft to rig in the boom and
reeve in the tack anew. Isaac Coffin,
son of Jethro, who had smuggled
himself on board against his fathers
express orders, and who had hardly
made his peace with him yet, heard
the order, and seizing the end of the
rope with his teeth ran up the FORE
shrouds, crept out Of the top Of the
foreyard like monkey, and then out
on the bare boom. But before he had
half done his task the Frenchman
brought their long-tom, charged with
small shot, to bear upon the yard,
and let fly at Isaac; thinking proba-
bly,, the additional sail might enable
the Granpus to escape. Young Cof.
fin was unhsrmed, though the balls
whistled past 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 a
rum"
GAY, ayw cried Isaac, as he finish
ed reeving the tack, and gathering
few fathoms in his hand threw the
coil down on the foreoastle, and the
men then hoisted the sail instantly.
The Frenchman aimed his gun again
but Isaac was descending like flash,
and as he reached the deck the sail
ors 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 clenched his hands and looked up
at the torn sail.
"By heavens" said he, 81 will not
part with so fine a ship aud cargo
without deadly struggle"
"Swear mott" 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 say?
Did | understand thee Alright when
thou bidst me bring the ship to-" and
the eyes of Seth glared upon Jethro,
and his nostrils distended like bull
at bay.
"Put down the helm, indeed, Jeth-
70 Coffin, who is commander of the
Grampus, thou or II" demanded Ma
cy, in heat of passion.
Jethro answered calmly, "7hou
surely art her captain. Save the ship
if thou canst, but thou canst not. We
have no means of defense, and if we
had it would not be justifable to OPP
pose with arms"
"Jethro, will save this ship or
sink in her. What! yield to that lit
tie gsd-hy-a gallinipper that is
scarcely longer than our long boat.
Another shot, better directed,
splintered the main mast little and
wounded two men.
"There, Jethro! that is some of the
tender mercies Of the French pirate
a foretaste of what we may expect
if taken"
"Yield, Seth! The longer thou de-
lay, the more hazard to the lives Of
our people; he is man of war"
$50 thou below, Jethro! | COM
mand here! Yield, indeed" he NUT
tered, as Jethro began to descend;
81 will sink first"'
"Stand by there, men!" shouted
Seth, in voice that made every
sailor start. 1t was evident that he
had put off the Quaker, and the men
heartily to it. SECT the
long boat ready to be launched at a
at moments warning, clear away |
the quarter boats, and see all clear
to lower them in an instant. Mate,
take in all the sail at once"
Macy's voice and manner were res
olu,e and peremptory, and the men
executed the orders promptly, and
were ready for the next, though won
dering what the captain meant to do.
The Frenchman was also at fault,
taking the maneuvring Of Seth for
sn intention 10 give up his ship, and
hove the schooner to, and waited the
lowering of boat from the Grampus.
In rounding to, as Seth had calculat-
ed, the Frenchman had given the ad.
vantage Of the wind to the ship, and
-h;la ,La man stool aoopo at fha