The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-03-02

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without stronger wind. Macy tried he
on every tack, but escape he could not
the wedge like schooner gained upon hin
at every turn.
"Now l would give half our cargo 70
). a few guns to speak to that saucy rascal il
n his own language" said Macy turning bit
g terly to Jethro; now is the time for thos
six-pounders l urged thee about before W
left port; fear thou will pay dearly 70
not taking my advice. All there come
salute number two"
A gun was again fired by the French
man across the bow of the Grampus, warn
ing her to heave to. Macy paced the decl
in agony of spirit, muttering angry words
He ordered the Grampus to be off two O.
three points and toretop-mast studdine
sail set but in the hurry of the momen
by some mishap the tack got unrove. A
couple of hands were ordered aloft to rie
in the boom and reeve in the tack anew
Isaac Coffin, son of Jethro, who had snug
gled himself on board against his father.
express orders, and who had hardly made
his peace with him yet heard the orders
and selling the end of the rope with his
teeth ran up the fore shrouds, crept out or
the top Of the foreyard like a monkey
and then out on the bare boom. But be.
fore he had half done his task the French.
men brought their long -tom, charged with
small shot, to hear upon the yard and LET
fly at Isaac; thinking, probably, the add,
tional sail might enable the Grampus to
escape. Young Coffin was unframed
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, nv bow
creep in creep in Catch the halliards
and come down with run p
"Ay, ayr cried Isaac, as he finished
reeving the tack, and gathering few
fathoms in his hand threw the coil down
on the forecastle and the men then hosted
the sail instantly. The Frenchman aimed
his gun again, but Isaac was descending
like a flash, and as he reached the deck the
sailors fairly Rugged 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 clench-
ed his hands and looked up at the torn
sail.
by heavens !" said he, q will not part
with so fine ship and cargo without a
deadly struggle"
"Swear not |" said Jethro, ait will not
help us in our strait We had better yield
quietly to the necessity. Put down thy
helm, Seth, and bring the ship to-"
"Yield quietly, didst thou say 2 Did
understand thee right when thou bid me
bring the ship to 2 The eyes of Seth glar-
ed upon Jethro, and his nostrls distended
like bull at bay.
"Put down the helm, indeed Jethro,
Jethro Coffin who is commander of the
Grampus, thou or 2" demanded Macy in
heat of passion.
Jethro answered calmly, Thou surely
art her captain. Save the ship if thou canst,
but thou canst not. We have no means of
defence, and if we had, it would not be
justifiable to oppose with arms
"Jethro, will save this ship or sink in
her. What yield to that little gadhy-a
gallinipper that is scarcely larger than our
longboat!"
Another shot, better directed, splintered
the main mast little, and wounded two
men.
"There, Jethro that is some of the
tender mercy of the French pirate-a
toretaste of what we may expect if TAX
en-"
yield, Seth the longer thou delay, the
more hazard to the lives of our people,
Yield, he is man of war;"
$50 thou below, Jethro y command
here yield, indeed !" he muttered, as
Jethro began to descend, Il will sink
first |"
"Stand by there, men !" he shouted in
voice which made every sailor start. 1t
was evident that Seth had put off the
Quaker, and the men responded heartily
to it. "Get the long boat ready to be
launched at moments warning; clear
away the quarter boats and see all clear to
lower them in an instant. Mate, take in
all the small sail at once"
Macy's voice and manner were resolute
and peremptory, and the men executed the
orders promptly and were ready for the
next though wondering what the captain
meant to do. The Frenchman was also at
fault, taking the manguvering of Seth for
an intention to give up his ship, and hove
the schooner to, and waited the lowering
of boat from the Grampus. In rounding
to, and as Seth had calculated, the French
man had given the advantage of the wind
to the ship, and while his men stood agape
at the management of the larger vessel,
which they looked upon as prize, Seth
seized the helm in his brawny hand The
men scarcely needed the word, but antci-
pated his intention as he put the helm
hard up, and in a suppressed, but concen-
trated voice which was heard distinctly
from stem to stern, he said: Let go all
the braces and bowlines, slack off sheet
and tacks, and square the yards, quick!"
1t was done in twinkling, and Macy
shaped his course as though he would bring
his ship under the lee quarter of the priva-
teer. This feint completely deceived the
enemy, when Seth suddenly changed her
course and brought her head to bear direct
ly upon the hull of the Frencbman. Her
crew discovered now, but too late, the de-
sign of the Grampus, and dire confusion
ensued upon her crowded decks.
elf thou dost intend to run her down."
said Jethro to Seth hurriedly, projecting
his head moment from the cabin gang
way" if-nay, hear me, Seth for the
sake of humanity, if thou art determined
to run her down, ease thy helm little, and
give them q chance for their lives"
"Stand by to lower the boats" Numbered
Seth, stamping furiously upon the deck
A groan of horror escaped his own crew,
for not till this moment had they really
seen the design of their captain, but it was
for their lives and they knew it. The
schooner lay to in the trough of the sea,
her decks covered with confusion, and the
huge hulk of the 1rampus posing on the
last high wave above her.
Miserieorde :" A wild yell of despair,
heard far above the dashing of the ship
and rushing of the waters, burst from the
doomed Frenchman--an instant-.and down
came the Grampus foaming and thunder
ing upon the privateer, her plunging bow
striking her just amidships, cut the small
vessel directly in two, and her heavy arma-