Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-20
in the direct track of the Dolphin's night

at does look mighty 'spicious, your
honor" said an old seaman in the front
ranks of the crew, shut shiver my timbers
if believe we've got anybody shipped
aboard this ere craft but loves the saucy
Dolphin and your honor too well to play
them a scurvy trick"
"There has been treachery, have said
is there one of my crew that can tell me
its penalty aboard this ship?"
death at the yardarm," sounded from
the deep cultural voices of the crew, who
shrunk beneath the piercing eye of their
Captain.
at is my duty" said he, Ito watch
over your Interests and my own with a
jealous eye. | never deceive you, my men
the traitor shall receive his punishment
though | pursue him to the foot of the
throne. Enough to yonr duty"
The hours passed on-the busy crew
had landed the cargo, and in the hands OF
confidential agents it was soon hidden from
the most careful search of the revenue
officers
The greatest danger was yet to be en-
| countered. The cargo landed, the lugger
| must again sail for the sheltering protec-
ton of the island, but the rising moon now
threw It's mellow and unwelcome light
unwelcome at least to those on board the
Dolphin-across the heaving swells of the
Irish sea-
Hardly had the lugger got under weigh
before the cruiser was again discovered ly-
ing midway between the English coast and
the island the course the Dolphin steered,
and in fact the only route she could take,
| would bring her in full view of the cruiser
and within range of her guns. The Captain
of the lugger viewed the dilemma with
calm and quiet countenance, giving his
orders in a tone that inspired those about
him with fresh courage. The two vessels
were now fast approaching each other,
when coarse hail came down across the
water from the sloop, what vessel is
that?"
The Captain of the lugger, knowing that
every moment he could gain in delay was
of the utmost importance in the further
| ance of his purpose to run the gauntlet OF
the cruisers broadside, made a mumbling
and inaudible reply through his trumpet,
so that the query from the sloop was put,
What answer do you make"
The breeze still freshening drove the
lugger, with her wide spread canvas, swiftly
through the water. She was already nearly
abreast of the cruiser, which, having
tackled, now stood on the same course as
her adversary.
"What vessel is that?' was the ques-
ton again put from the commander of the
sloop, to which he added, " Answer, or |
shall fire into YOU
No reply being made to this hail the
Captain of the York, for so the cruiser was
called, ordered shot fired into the lugger,
to wake her up" as he observed the ball,
passing through the white field of the
mainsail, struck the water far to wind
ward. The compliment was Immediately
returned from heavy gun amidships of
the lugger, the ball of which, aimed by
the hands of the Captain himself, shot
away the foretopmast of the York, which
| fell with all its hamper to tine deck. A
fierce broadside from the cruiser followed
this discharge, making sad havoc among
the symmetrical rig of the Dolphin.
The armament of the lugger consisted
of four small pieces Of ordnance and one
gun amidships, revolving upon a pivot,
which was of superior metal to that of any
gun on board the York. From this instru-
ment Of death the missiles of destruction
were so faithfully aimed that already had
the foremost of the cruiser come lumber
ing upon the deck, confounding the crew
and greatly retarding the means of de-
Tense. The York carried sixteen guns
with complement Of about $50 men. She
was now unable for several moments to re-
turn the constant and destructive fire OF
the lugger, the wreck of the foremost hay-
Ing fallen along the larboard battery, be-
ing the side nearest the Dolphin. Both
vessels were so cut up in their rigging as
to make but little Roadway, and were now
rising and falling on swells of the sea
within few yards of each other
Several Of the heavy shots from the
lugger had penetrated the York's side at
the water line, and large number of the
crew of the latter vessel were piped to the
pumps, as the craft was fast making large
quantities of water. At this moment the
eye of the smuggler Captain rested upon
the person of one of his own foremost men
on board the enemy-the truth flashed in
moment across his mind, the treachery
was accounted for, and there stood the
traitor. In an instant the grapnel irons
| were ordered TO be thrown and the board
ers piped to duty, few hasty words from
the commander of the Dolphin sufficed to
inform his followers that the traitor of the
crew was on board the York, and, headed
by their brave and daring Captain, the
lugger's men leaped on the cruisers deck.
Secure the traitor and back with you
| all" cried the Captain, pointing with one
hand to the trembling villain who had be-
trayed them, while his other he kept a
score of them at bay with his flashing
sword.
| After securing their treacherous com.
rade the Dolphin's crew retreated swiftly
to their own vessel, amid the establishment
of the crew of the York, who had been
taken completely by surprise, the deed be-
ing accomplished in far less time than i:
required to relate the particulars.
Regaining his own deck the Captain o.
the lugger now backed his topsails, while
those that remained to the York continued
full; thus the two vessels parted. The
| Dolphin, as she fell astern of her antago
mist, gave her one raking shot, which die
fearful havoc upon her deck. The Captain
of the cruiser was forced to make all speed
| for the shore, when the York was rur
aground in sinking condition. Thu,
4
the man-of-war, showing what cool cour
age and skill can accomplish against supe
| rior force.
The Dolphin sailed for the cove on the
eastern side of the island, sorely shattered
in hull and rigging by the severe contest
with the Kings cruiser.
The lugger is again anchored in the
quiet cove and all hands are piped to wit
ness punishment The traitor who had
betrayed the ship had confessed his guilt
and the price of his treachery was founc
upon his person. The crew were at theil
stations, all save six seamen chosen by lot
who stood apart from their companion.
with downcast eyes and trembling forms
for they were the agents through whom
a fellow creature was to be launched, in
cold blood, into eternity. These hearts o.
oak that few hours since stood fearlessly
at their guns dealing death and destruc
ton around, and with blood flowing lik,
water at their feet, now trembled!