The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1876-03-09
STRATEGY OF A QUAKER
CAPTAIN.

Early In the summer OF 1904 the
good ship Grampus left the harbor OF
Nantucket, bound for London with a
cargo of oil. She was new ship,
built after the most improved models,
staunch and trim, for those days, oi
great speed. Her owner, Jethrc
Coffin, a 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 boyoood. These two
men, as well 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 i'll
governed Spanish ports and among
savage islanders had taught him that
though non-residence did very we'll
in Nantucket, it was neither q safe
nor easy road to travel anywhere
else; and while the Grampus was
loading for her voyage he had urged
Jethro to arm her with four six pound
ers; for England was at that time at
war with France, and of course the
colonists were dragged into it also.
But Jethro, true to his principles, re-
jected 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 the voyage, and, the ship
being under easy sail, some of the
men were lounging about the deck,
and some were gathered on the FORE
castle listening to yarn from man.
of-war's-man who had been in the
English navy.
''Forward there" shouted the first
mate, who had been sweeping the
horizon with his glass.
SAY, ay" answered the men, read
lily, and the marvellous story was cut
short.
"Jump aloft, one of you who has
good eyes," continued he, .and tell
me what you can make out of that
craft with such raking mssts on our
weather bow"
"Ay, ay!" and several men sprang
aloft.
"Main-top-gallant there!' hailed
the mate.
"Ay, ayw 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 eschewed from religious princi-
ples.)
"Whst sort of craft is to wind
ward, and how is she standing" cried
the mate. -
at is q small black schooner all
legs and arms" replied sailor; "and
she is bearing down for US under a
press of sail. Now she runs up a flag
and by the fash and smoke she spits,
she has just fred.
A dull, heavy report came booming
on the breeze, and q 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 captainw cried
the mate, in alarm. "Forward there!
call all hands on deck: stand by to
put the ship about"
GAY, ay!" responded the we'll
ed sailors, and every man stood at
his post, ready for prompt action.
Both Macy and Coffin appeared upon
the deck, wondering 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 courss?''
81 don't intend to without thy Or
ders," said tn. mate, ssbut l thought
best to have every thing ready for
prompt maneuvring. We have a
suspicious looking sail on our wealth
er-bow, and she shows French colors.
BY the rake of her masts and her gen
eral rig, / think she's q clipper, with