Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-07-04

we should be able to concert some
plan Of escape, as two heads are better
than one. But l little thought how
very soon my half wish was to be full
filled.
In a short time boat put of from
the seventy -four, pulling directly for
our vessel. We well knew what that
meant. His msjesty's ship was in
want of men. and she would have
them, too!
The officer who came on board of US
said that he was in search of English
sailors, and was happy to perceive
that our captain had at least two such
among his crew-ln1icating as he
spoke one of my shipmates and my
self.
They are Americans, said the cap
tain, and have projections, as all my
men have. They can produce-'
Never mind the producing, was
the answer, Here, you fellows, get
up your dunnsge at once and step in
to that hoat.' And his armed crew
drew close about us, as if to enforce
the command.
My shlpmate was very pale, and /
could not wonder at it: but as for N.Y.
self, felt that l was more than half
willing to go-T did SO want to see
Tom. ..s.,
A ring of marines, with fixed bayo-
nets, soon hustled US into the boat,
and in few minutes we were stand
ing on the wide, sweeping deck of the
seventy.four. What ship she was
in comparison to the little craft we
had just left. Beside the Amelia she
was a castle compared with a cottage.
I had just time to observe this and
to get out from under the noses of the
officer and his marines when a stout
young sailor sprapg forward and
grasped my hand.
'Oh, Johnv he cried, is it possible
that you have got here, too? Pm
sorry and glad both at once ..-
No matter what l said in reply. l
had found Tom, and even there, on
the deck of that floating prison, l felt
for moment almost happy.
In less than a week the old Poictiers
took US out to sea. We stood to the
northward, and the next day fell in
with French privateer. The noun
tains on the island of Martinique were
in sight at that time, and how Tom and
did wish for wings to fly there.
The seventy-four crowded all sail
In chase of the French ship, and il
could soon be seen that she was gain
ing upon her. Presently we could
see them throwing overheard her
guns and other heavy articles to light.
en- the vessel. They cut adrift large
boat, and apparently got rid of every
thing they could spare. ..
After this it could be seen that she
held her own, and in fact she soon ap
peared to be gaining ground. Ta'
wind, however, had become very light
and neither vessel made much pro-
gress.
We passed close by the drifting
boat, but our commander made no at
tempt to secure her, probably no
wishing to be encumbered with sucl
thing. In the hurry and confusion
of the moment the Frenchmen hat
forgotten to stave hole in the bot.
tom, and had even left q number o
oars on board of her.
!, A few minutes later we entirely los
the breeze, but the privateer still hat
light breath of air, and Tom and
, were very glad to see her make of
swapping her fingers, IS one Nigh
say, at the helpless old seventy.four.
: 1t happened that we two we're oftel
close to each other, and as we cas-
, sly glances toward the drifting boa
, the same thought was in both ou
| minds. osa.'s
Tom whispered at last, if tn
breeze shouldn't spring up again til
| after dark, why couldn't We make
/ dash for herY .1"
) The very thing I'm thinking of,
he answered softly. "The trade wine
, will be sure to spring up soon, AM
that will take US straight towart
Martinique. ! know it is risk,
piece of business, but I'm willing t
take the chances
We spoke to the other two men
, the two who had been impressed re
! spectively with him and myself--bu
they would not make the venture
How should we be able to find th
' boat in the darkness? they asked; an
: what were we to do for provisions an
Q water in the event of reaching her?
But we believed the stake to b
worth the risk, and our resolution wa
3 fixed. We were only afraid that th
ship would get a breeze before dark.
D The boat was about three -fourths G
). mile off, and as twilight gathere
Q we saw that she ranged exactly unde
o a certain large star which it would b
easy to distinguish from all others.
AS the evening advanced, q ligf
p. breeze begun to fill the sails till th
l |ship gathered steerageway. Their
p was now not a moment to lose: and