Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-05-29
CHASED BY THE ALABAMA.

How the Fast-Sailing AsterOid Ran Away
From the Dire adful Privateer.
Our voyage continued prosperous, and
nothing suspicious was discovered until
one morning when we were OF the cape
of Good Hope, as we were sailing along
with flesh breeze right aft, in sight OF
Table mountain, at the entrance OF the
harbor of Cape Town, with cape Legul-
las about twenty miles distant on the
bow.
A close lookout was constantly kept,
and before long smoke, as If coming
from a steamer close under the land, ap-
parently bound to the eastward, was re-
ported. Soon her hull appeared In
sight, and by the aid of glass | made
out that she was a low, raklsh looking
craft. neither like a man OF war nor a
merchant steamer, but at the distance
she was from us it was impossible to tell
definitely what she was. Under the cir
cumstances it made me feel very suspl-
cious.
In a few moments she discovered us,
as was evident by her altering her course
and steering directly toward us, at the
same time hosting the American flag.
I felt that it must be the famous Ala
bama, and that we would be safe out OF
her company. But it was case OF sails
and steam combined against sails alone.
The steamer was closing up with us, and
presently her signals, asking "What
ship is that?'' could be lead. hoisted
the American flag, feeling certain that
the steamers captain would not be de-
ceived in the build and appearance of
my vessel any more than I was in
his, and, if I was to be taken, l would
fly my own flag to the last. The steam
er then hoisted the signals, "Heave to, l
want to speak to you," but instead OF
complying with this request l hauled my
ship about four points to the southwark,
bringing the wind out on our quarter,
and made all sail, which increased our
speed from eight to ten knots per hour.
Seeing this evolution, the steamer threw
off all disguise, hauled down the 'stars
stripes hoisted the ''stars and bars ~
and fred shot directly at us, but dis
lance was too great, and it fell far short.
Then the smoke commenced to pour out
of the steamers funnel in heavy, black
volumes, all sail was made, and the chase
began.
Slowly and surely the steamer kept
gaining on us, sending shot after shot
from their forecastle gun, but all fell
short. She was now about three miles
astern, rolling and pitching in the sea,
which was every minute growing heavier
and heavier, the spray flying over her at
sight. The sea striking us abeam would
wet us from stem to stern and send the
spray up to the very tops. The intense
excitement and anxiety felt at this mo-
ment are more easily imagined than de-
scribed.
At intervals strong flaws of wind be-
tokened gale at hand. Already the
wind had increased. Our distance from
the steamer had been lessened: she was
now only about mile astern; occasion
ally shot from her forecastle gun came
over or near us. They hoped to disable
the ship in spars or ringing, but their aim
was uncertain, owing to the heavy sea.
However, more than once the shot went
through sails and rigging, fortunately
doing no material damage. Noticing a
commotion on deck, I called the mate to
ascertain the cause. tie informed me
that the crew were frightened, or pre-
tended to be, at the shots for the priva-
teer, and expressed determination to
take in sail and let the Alabama come up
with us to prevent further risk of their
lives Fortunately I had good officers,
on whom I could rely. I ordered them
to get their revolvers, and told the stew
ard to get mine. Then mastering the
crew on the quarterback, I told them
they were engaged in serious mutiny,
and the first man who refused duty or
attempted to interfere with the orders of
my officers would be shot on the spot
They realized the situation, and promised
obedience.
Half the afternoon was gone. The sea
was rising all the time and both ships
strained heavily as they rolled to wind
ward with the press of canvass they were
carrying. The steamer could no longer
stand the strain, and in came her light
sails. When I saw this I felt sure of our
escape if the wind would only hold its
strength. We therefore took in our sky
sails and royals, and the ship felt easier
in fact, we could not have carried them
longer, for the wind increased and blew
in fitful gusts, sure sign that a gale
was brewing. The sea continued to rise.
and now felt safe in keeping the ship
off couple of points to bring the wind
and sea on our quarter. The steamer
followed my example, both vessels rush
ing through the water at their highest
speed, and both doing their level best.
But she no longer gained on us.
kept off dead before the wind on our
course-due east. This brought the
steamer abeam, she altering her course
as we did, hoping to kept US in sight I'M
til the wind and sea moderated. She
now closed up with us as near as safety
would permit, and, hailing us, asked
where we were bound, and demanded the
surrender of the ship to the confederate
government. I answered through my
trumpet: "Come and take me-" Con-
versation being too straining for the
lungs amid the bowling of the winds and
rolling of the huge pillows, and the
\ proximity of the vessels too dangerous,
we separated little and had recourse to
blackboards to carry on our conversation.
Semmes asked where we were bound. I
answered without blush s'Melbourne, -