The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-10
CAPTURING A SLAYER,
ANayal Incident on the Coast Of Africa.

H'heep u SHdTp IOOhUubi MIs OdCIee3
and il you find you are drifting nearer to
the beach, you may anchor at once.
There is a strong current setting to the
northward here. 1 expect and the
speaker. tall, broad-shouldered man,
clad in the undress uniform of full
commander OF the United States Navy,
disappeared down the cOmpani on-Way
leading to his cabin.
"The sloop-of-war Sumpter had served
long and faithfully on the coast of Afri-
ca, and by the energetic exertions of
officers and men, together with the re-
markable sailing qualities OF the crack
man-of-war, the Sumpter had now for
herself an enviable reputation, and be-
came terror to the desperate men en-
gagged in the slave trade.
s'The Sumpter was cruising in the
Blight Of Benin, a noted resort for the
fleet crafts engaged in the trade. With
square yards, sludding sails set allow
and aloft, the sloop-of-war had been
standing to the northward all day, but
as night came on the light breeze
died suddenly out, leaving the Sumpter
becalmed close in under the land.
80 light haze rested on the water,
rendering 1t impossible to make out
anything distinctly; but the monotonous
wash of the surf doomed sullenly out on
the still night ARA sure warning to the
watchful second lieutenant who was in
charge OF the deck.
"A heavy swell had set in from the
southward and westward, long and un-
dulating, which caused the symmetrical
vessel TO roll and tumble to the eXtrem e
discomfort OF all on deck.
GAS the Sumpter rose and fell on the
| restless bosom of the Atlantic, the sails
| fiapped uneasily to ana fro, now bulging
out. then collapsing with dull thud
with a rattling accompaniment OF ropes
and recipients which kept up cease
| less clatLer. The heat was intense, anC
what little air there was stirring came
directly off the hot, steaming land.
"'W ell, Mr.. Capers, what do you think
of our chances of catching SLAYER this
watch, ehT
"sMighty poor, Mr.. Dacres. But there
ls one thing we are bound to catch be
fore long,
| "'And what is that, at,pray-promotion p
"Ay, through the coast feyer'
"WeIl, Capers, it is full time you
gained your swab as third lut. You
have been a passed mid long enough.
Still, you can not groWl, for was four
years -
".Hark, sir; did you hear anything?'
"Yes; noise enough to amuse regi-
ment.'
"'But imagined heard the creakine
of yards, or something of the kind be.
longing to another cratt.'
| EYour ears must be sharp, then
What was that last soundingT
"'Deep six, sir.'
| "sHa! there 60 two rockets. By al
that is wonderful, Capers, there is some
| thing in the wind, and you shall hay,
the benefit of it. Just look out, Twill you
while make my report.'
AThe Sumpter had barely steeragt
way, standing to the northWard, and the
rockets had been seen at least three OF
four miles distant, right anead, as neal
as could be judged.
"Tne commander was soon on deck
and be was at a loss to account for the
strange signal. "'
.s.It may be SLAYER, lying of and on
waiting for her cargo to be boated off. ]
have known that to be the case, but not
of late years. There is some deyihry
| going on, for rockets on this barren coasi
are not expended for nothing and the
commander strove in vain to peel
were shining bright, occasionally OBJ
scured, however, by some passing cloud
sailing Iazily along.
otGet the kedge ready, Mr.. Dacres,
and come to with as little noise as pos
stble. Clew up the light sails, and
lower the topsails on The caps. I'll
fathom this mystery, II it lies in my
power, SIR and again the commander
turned his attention in the direc-
tion from whence the rockets had been
seen.
"The Sumpter was soon swinging to
her kedge, and assisted by Mr.. Capers,
who was the mIdshipman of the watch,
MIR. Dacres soon had everything aloft to
| his liking. -'
"'You may have your relief called,
Mr.. Dacres, and Mr.. Capers. you may
make your preparations to accompany
| the second lieutenant as second in COM
| mand. ] have noticed your zeal, sir,
and If you succeed in making a
prize tonight, your services shall be
brought prominently before the depart.
ment?
MWttb all possible disuatcb ths