Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-20
,ov-glass and scanned the vessels in

hopes for work and prize-money were
now on the rise.
Il see six vessels; but they are yet too
far off to make ont whether they are
armed or not was the reply
Shall the gunner open the magazine,
srV
Yes, after all the galley-ires are put
out
The men went to their work at their
respective stations quietly, but with a
cheerful look which betokened perfect
confidence in their vessel, and especially
in their officers.
An hour passed, and the vessels were
now hull-up ahead, yet Capt Seawaif
gave no order either to alter her course
or shorten sail,
what about our colors, sir asked
the lieutenant
You can run en- up in rolls to their
places, ready TO pull when / order 1t, MI
DoolittIe,' said the captain, still keeping
his glass directed toward the approach
ing ships .s,
Get ont and rig two spars, with iron
enough in them to sink them, for drags;
drop one over each quarter, and ask no
impairment questions, Mr.. Doolittle,
said the captain, quietly.
I beg your pardon, sir hundred
times-I thought you was going to rum
said the now delighted officer, as he has
tened to obey the order.
Double shot with grape and canister
-gunners to your stations cried the
captain, now determinedly. Men, make
no noise when | announce it. but with
in an hour that sloop-of.war shall strike
her flag, or we'll 60 down with our
colors flying. When she is taken, the
merchantmen will be easy prizes
Had they not been cautioned, the
men would have cheers so loudly as to
be heard Oh board of the sloop.of wa-
The enemy were now rising, fast
more than four or five miles of; bu5
merchantmen, obeying signals tTo@ H.,
sloop-of-war, which had evidently dis
covered the nationality of the schooner
by her rig, hauled on a wind and short
eilal aal, while the man-of. war held her
c1u: under q cloud OF canvas.
Take your stations for working ship'
cried Seawaif The men bounded to the
sheets and braces. Hard up the helm =
case off the sheets, and round in the
weather braces cried the captain.
'Tarnel thunder you're not going to
run ftom one sloop-oiwar, are you, sir !
asked the Lieutenant, in agonized won,
der.
After the drags were rugged and low
cred over the side, held by stout haw-
sers, and not seen because sank be-
meath the water, the schooner did not &C
more than three knots, although-undei
full spread of canvas-she seemed tc
be running away from her antagonist
which now could be seen coming up
hand over hand, her decks crowded with
men and her ports showing battery OF
twenty-four guns.
| On she came, the red cross of st
George Haunting from her peak, until
she was within nearly a mile of the
schooner, when she fired shot from
one of her bow guns.
SHOW them your colors and name !!
cried the young captain, while his pail
pace flushed with smile of terrible joy
1t was done in an instant; but the
vessels head was not changed, nor a
sail touched.
Rapidly the Englshman closed up,
heading a little to leeward, so as tc
range under her labored beam.
Crouch we'll behind the bulwarks
men stand by your larboard guns, but
do not touch match until the Ordel
comes from my lips; depress your guns
so as to take her between wind and wa
ter Sail trmmers, stand to YOU
sheets and brace, and be ready for or
ders.'
These orders given, Capt. Seawai
took his position on the larboard side O
the quarter deck, and with ill.concealet
delight saw the Englishman rang'
along until he was almost abeam.
Haul down your colors, or I'll sinh
you! Strike, you Yankee rebel, strike
shouted the English captain who stood
on the poop of his vessel in full uniform
steadying himself by holding on to thu
mizzen rigging
!, pm just going to strike-not my
colors, but youp cried Seawaif sarcasti
cally, and instantly giving the order t.
, pour in his whole broadside.
| III was dome with terrihle etfpct to-