Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-08-30


were conveyed to the ship. while two
midshipmen and four seamen were trans
ferred from the schooner, with orders to :
proceed at once to Halifax. The two
vessels soon separated, the Ruby sailing
toward Halifax, and the ship to continue
her cruise off New York.
Capt. Handy soon began to task his
brain to devise some plan to retake the
schooner, of which he was large owner.
The captains pleasing address, inimita-
be manner in which he related his stir
ring personal adventure as pioneer on
shore. and as a seaman along the coast,
and the deference he paid to the young
officers IN command, resulted IN quickly
gaining for him the confidence and good
Will OF all on board; and last bnt not
least, as a rcconciler of hostile feelings,
jng of Jamaica rum did very much to
wash out from the British hearts the
bitter national prejudice which was at
first entertained against the Yankee
prisoner.
The morning following tho capture,
the Ruby passed the south shore of
Nantucket. At this time it was blow
ing hard from the southw ward, the vessel
was put under short sail, the appetite Of
the midshipmeu for Jamaica rum in
creased with the gale, and after numer-
GUS unsuccessful attempts to quench
their thirst, they became very drowsy,
and when Capt. II. very generously
offered to stand their watch they made
| no opposition. As soon as the officers
| were asleep, the crew were invited to go
| and DO likewise; an invitation which an
"old salt never Lesitates to accept.
Capt. e. on taking command,
| changed the course of the vessel from
east northeast to north northeast. which
was continued till late next morning.
AS the vessel was running at least ten
knots an hour. the captain went far on
his way literally reJolclng. at eight
bells when they came on deck the next
morning, the Ruby was running again
east northeast, and so continued during
the day.
AS the following night closed in the
wind was still blowing hard, now from
the south southeast q heavy sea was
running and the thick fog rendered it
impossible to discern any objects half
cable length distant. In view of these
facts, and knowing his close proximity
to the shores of Maine, Capt. H. ad-
vised heaving the schooner to under q
doubie reefed foresail, giving as rea-
son that as they were approaching the
coast of Novia Scotia, it would be very
dangerous to run further in the dark
ness. His advice was accordingly acted
upon.
AS the morning dawned, an island
covered with trees, its shores dashed by
the breaking waves, was discerned only
short distance to leeward. There was
40 time to he lost; the jib was hoisted,
the helm put hard to starboard, and the
vessel falling off before the wind, ran
around the island and came to an anchor
in a uuiet land-locked harhor. The
island, SO dimlv seen through the rain
b., though he we'll knew he was some
where on the coast of eastern Maine.
Soon boat containing two men came
alongside Capt. Fl. saw at once that
its occupants were old acquaintances.
whose silence he secured by signs and
gestures, and managed to inform them
of the situation of affairs without exclt-
ing the suspicious of the Engllshmen.
He was informed that his vessel was
lying in the harbor of Little kennebec,
an inlet within the limits Of the Town of
Machias.
The visitors under the direction Of the
Captain, gave the midshipman to- under
stand that they were in snug harbor,
and only short distance from Halifax.
The officers, taking their own boat
and two of their own men, invited the
Captain to accompany them on a stroll
on shore. On landing they walked some
distance from the boat. when Capt. 81.
who had Ioitered behind with two
Americans. who had accompanied them,
would recapture the vessel.
This proposition was assented TO
Suiting the action to the word, they
turned and ran to the shore; but the
officers quickly discovering the, flight. 6
very exciting race commenced then ant
there, each party making almost super
human exertions to be the first TO reaci
the boats. The Americans came il
ahead, having the start Of the English
men. To throw the oars of one boat fal
ont in the water and jump into the othel
and shove of from the shore WAS only
the work of an instant. To pull for th,
vessel at the highest rate OF speed attain
able was the next thing in order.
The officers finding themselves out;
witted, began hailing the vessel with th.
intention Of arousing the two men OF
h.,orI op3 uaYpipp them of eha i'm 7p..n 4