The Washington critic., 1889-05-02


enue officers
The greatest danger was yet TO be en-
countered. The cargo landed, the lug
ger must again sail for the sheltering
protection of the island, but the rising
moon now threw its mellow and un.
welcome light--unwelcome at least to
those on board the Dolphin-across the
heaving swclls of the Irish sea.
Hardly had the lugger got under
weigh. before the cruiser was again dis
covered lying midway between the Eng
lish coast and the island. The course
the Dolphin stccrcd, and in fact the
only route she could take, would bring
her within full view Of the cruiser and
within range of her guns. The captain
of the luggcr viewed the dilemma with
calm and quiet countcnancc; giving his
orders In 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 ihat?'
The captain of the lugger knowing
that every moment he could gain in de-
lay was OF the utmost importance in the
f,irtherance of his purpose TO run the
gauntlet of the cruisers broadside, made
mumbling and inaudible reply
through his trumpet, so that the query
from the sloop was put, "What answer
do you maker"
The breeze still frcshcning 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-
tion again put from the commander of
the sloop, TO which lie 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 a shot fired into the
lugger, Ito wake her up as he OBJ
served; the ball, passing through the
white field Of the mainsail, struck the
water far to windward. The compli-
mcnt was Immediately returned from a
heavy gun amidships Of the luggcr, the
ball of which, aimed by the hands of
the captain himself, shot away the fore
topmast of the York, which fell with
all its hamper to the 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 pivot,
| which was of superior metal TO that of
any gun on board the York. From this
instrument of death the missiles of de-
struction were so faithfully aimed that
already had the forcmast of the cruiser
come numbering upon the deck, con
founding the crew and greatly retarding
the means of defense. The York carried
sixteen guns with complement of about
| 150 men. She was now unable for several
moments to return the constant and de-
structivc fire of the lugger, the wreck of
the foremast having fallen along the
larboard battery, being the side nearest
the Dolphin. Both vessels were so cut
up In their rigging as to make but little
headway, and were now rising and fall
ing on swells of the sea within a few
yards of each other.
Several of the heavy shots from the
lugger had penetrated the York's side at
the water line, and a 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 mo-
ment the eye of the smuggler captain
rested upon the nerson az one az h;s
own foremost men on hoard the enemy
the truth flashed In n moment across
his mind. the trcacbery was accounted
for. and there stood the traitor. In nm
instant the rrapnel irons were ordered
TO be thrown and the boartlers piped
10 duty. n few hasty words from tho
commander of the Dolphin sufficed Ia
inform his followers that the traitor of
the crew was ON board the York. and
headed by their brave and daring can
tain. the lugger's men leaped on the
cruisers deck.
Secure the traitor and back with
Won all" cried The captain. nointino
viii, ono hand IN tbe tremhIine villioT
who had BETRAYED them while with his
other he kent SCORE of them ot hay
Af,o, soo,,;no ~, air .,o.o,,ouo,,, oo,,,
roda NO Doini,;s, q crow rotraatod s,y;f,i, %
,oN,i,aiu ,',i ',assoi III ~ oa.N,;li;
,,ont ~ t,a oro,, ~ ,ha VII, W. !, n i
hcnn toLnn carnr,a,aiu hv s,,r,,;,o Me- ~ ~,
Jecd hn;nSaccnmml;s3od l; I; n @ sar a. Lass Tim, ,m,
,i,an ;s ,asS,,;,ad td III ,o 81 a ,,ar,;.,,ia, a,s
,,' ,s,i'..,, w - p"..'. - !
nsulnins MS own 9evh .ne caP'al,i ~ ~
,i,osn tio, ,o,,,o;,n, ~ az vi, y.
.nose 'iiu, sn re,iiuii,ru ,, 10 .'ne iork con
rh IhueT lu,i ahus .he 'wJ Sn Vessels Parteu 'o
ne Doiphin, " sno ieii as.ein ,,. vi ne y,
witch did fearful havoc unon % he, deck I
Tbn canto,n of The crusier was forced /,
make iii snecd for The shore when th, /,
York was r,,n agronnd In q s;nt;n~ con
dition Tbns.ended tbe ticht betwee, o,
tha h,ooer and tba n,an.of 'Sor show,;n,
what cool cnmrage anJ skilI can accom
nl;sh ogninst s,,ner;nr force ''0SN'