The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-18
Is 1881

got onto gunto give my ear good
hoist above the bulwarks, and hardened
with rapt attention, whilst Shelvocke, with
his head inclined, stood like q war-horse
with cooked ears. waiting. The men, OBJ
serving our posture, watched us to know
what the matter was. There was perfect
silence throughout the whole length of the
vessel that was not little Impressive when
one thought of the crowd Of living beings
that filed her. Now and again the water
gurgled alongside, OF the rudder family
Jared, or timber Rroaned; but the last
sounds we're barely audible, whilst aloft the
canvas was as quiet as a churchyard.
On q sudden cock crowed out in the
fog.
The noise, as fancied, came from the
starbOard quarter, but Shelvocke bent his
ears toward the starboard bow. Every man
on deck had heard the crow, and half
suppressed litter ran along. It was funny
enough to hear the birds voice sounding
from the sea, amid the dense fog, but the
humor was made somewhat grim by the
possibility that an enemy was close to us.
The moment Shelvock heard the cock,
he whispered to me to see ali clear and to
y
strictly ordered not to speak above their
breath, and they went to quarters in their
bare feet. This was one of the strangest
and certainly one of the most exciting ex-
periences had encountered since I had
been to sea. Here we were all at quarters,
and lying breathless, SO to speak, in an
impervious fog that hunf IN dense vapor-
masses all around us, in Close company with
ship that was not only utterly invisible,
but whose very neighborhood could not be
guessed, nor her nationality and character
imagined.
Shelvocke stood grouping along the fog
with his eyes. I went softly from one
side of the deck to the other, frequently
imagining saw dark outline looming
amid the vaporous folds: Presently we
heard sound like that of coil of rope
flung upon deck, and the rattle of shot or .
chain.
ISL Where does it come from, Mr.. Madison,
think you? whispered Shelvocke. 81 never
knew anything more deceptive
i think I see sort of darkness out yon-
der, sir, said I. pointing to the quarter in
whitehall along believed the vessel lying.
Looka little away to the left of the stern
of the cutter"
But as said this the fog closed all round
again and Shelvocke shook his head.
I see nothing, he answered, and went
to the side and looked over; then returned
to me. She has not on inch of way on
her!" he exclaimed, and motioned with his
head to the leadsman. The fellow dropped
the lead softly; the soundings made twenty
two fathoms.
Four bells were struck in the fog. The
tone was marvelously clear, and so close as
to make me start, and a moment after we
heard a mans voice hailiRg some one aloft
or forward on the vessel.
What lingo WAS that" exclaimed Shell
woke, eagerly.
I only caught two words, slaissez! lais-
sesp which take to be French for drop
it!" answered.
"Hush!" cyied Shelvocke; and at that
instant another voice called out loudly.
This evidently came from aloft; it seemed
to be up in the air over our heads.
Shelvocke made no remark, but walked
aft, and stood looking over the taffrail. Fol
some minutes we stood staring and listen
ing, and were beginning to think that il
would end the vessels drifting apart. and in
our getting NO sight of our neighbor il the
fog not lift before the night came, when ali
once the fog tbinned right abeam, az
though lane was opened in it by passage
of wind, and disclosed about q quarter OF
q mile of white water, with Just faint
spangle of sunlight touching the furthe,
extremity of it. The folds Of the fog roll
ing to the southwark. this lane went with
them, and when it reached the quarter.
there. standing in the clear space of it, and
about pistol shot away from the IEgress,
q large black ship of not less than six hun
dred tons, lying broadside on to us with
great channels which gave her rigging tre-
mendously wide spread, and Immensely
square lower-yards. The fog came down
as low as her tops, SO that all of her upper
spars were hidden. She showed FIVE guns
for her broadside. sprang aft to take her
bearings by the compass, and when I looked
again she was gone. But gone only to the
eye, for now that they had seen us, the ear
could determine their whereabouts with
laughable precision. It was evident that
our sudden apparition had greatly alarmed
her people. We heard whole volley of
orders Numbered out in French ropes were
let go. blocks squealed, yards were sharply
braced around.
: merchantmen, and fine one!" ex-
claimed Shelvocke. Mr.. Corney, you
speak French, believe. in q way to deceive
Frenchmen, said Shelvocke Will you
p1odso ndl1 tnaI VoSS0l, ana get them to tell
what they know Of her?''
What vessel, captain?" said Corney,
staring into the fog.
Why, the vessel You can hear, STRIP
Ho, the ship ahoy!" shouted Corney.
Who are YOU" came back the reply.
The French schooner ST. Brieur, from
the north, bound to st. Nazaire, respond
ed Corney, promptly. And your"
There was no answer to this; instead, /
heard q sound uncommonly like the travers
ing Of carronade- slides, accompanied by
more hauling, and pulling, and boxing
about of the Yards.
"Mind!' I sung out. They are making
ready to give us broadside, sir. They
evidently suspect us.
And sure enough, as said this, the
white mist flashed up like crimson, as
though mine had exploded close aboard "a
heavy roar Of artillery followed, and the
sea was torn up by a shower Of grape about
twenty feet away from US.
Let them haze it, men!" shouted Shell
woke, IN voice that must Immediately
have Jet the Frenchmen into the secret IF
the st. Briest1; aim as point, and high. to
cripple Ter for us when the fog lifts. How
does she bear, Mr.. Madison?o
Northeast three quarters east. sir.
He glanced at the compass, and indicated
the position Of the vessel by extending his
kNcrA. VIZ 10 >rr.