Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-10-19

the after-DraceS, the yards were swung
around till the sails were filled and the
brig gathered Roadway. All except
ourselves were for the moment busy,
but We, who had as yet no stations al
allotted to us, stood looking on.
"Our eyes were directed toward the
Rebecca, and we saw also her main
yard swing around in the same man
ner. But instead of standing upon
her original course, she followed
straight after the Falkirk.
I've had seen Captain EDDY himself
putting all his strength upon the main
brace, to assist his sorcly diminished
crew in hauling the yard around; and
now we perceived him at the huge tack
of the mainsail his own head and
those of his few men being in plain
view above the bulwarks. as q long
pull, and strong pull, and a pull all
together, was given upon the heavy
rope.
THE Rebecca was by no means
dull sailing ship, and she was now walk
ing right along. 1t was not to be eX-
pected, however, that she could keep
up with brig-of-war, and of course
the Falkirk dropped her somewhat
astern, although the difference in speed
was much less than would have been
looked for.
Captain Downs conferred earnestly
with his Lieutenant, and seemed to be
uneasy. At length, having run for
dozen miles upon his first course, ho
concluded to tack ship, the wind not
suffering him to stand directly for tho
English Channel.
Our topsail had scarcely done shiv-
ering as the vessel filled away upon
the new tack, when, looking toward
the Rebecca, we saw that she also was
in the very act of going about.
I'VE could not hear what Captain
Downs said, but that his attention was
wholly fixed upon his singular pursuer
was very evident. Both himself and
the Lieutenant gazed at her through
their glasses, and apparently made her
the subject of a very animated discus
sion.
"On the following night it was al,
most calm. The Rebecca, however,
fell upon stronger current of air than
ourselves, and in the morning had got
ahead of us.
"The English sailors, who by this
time had gathered pretty correct idea
of what was going on, talked of the
bully row there would be, should the
Yankee captain arrive at Portsmouth
before them, and report his vessel a
prize.
The Falkirk's commander walked
the quarterback rapidly, often glanc-
ing in our direction, and, as we Judged
saving something about us to his Off
GERS.
For three days, with intervals of
light breeze, Gains, and togs, we con
tinued near Chops of the Channel,
the vessels changing more or less their
relative positions with the unsteady
puffs of air, Vet never getting very far
from each other. And all this time
Captain Downs seemed III state of
irritation.
"On the evening of the same day We
were once more decidedly ahead, and,
before morning, saw the steady beacon
from the lighthouse on the western
end of the Isle of Wight. We were
nearing the great naval anchorage AT
Spithead. between the island and the
main land, where the harbor of Ports
mouth is situated.
AS the day broke, n ship was OBJ
served off our quarter. Lighter and
lighter grew the sky, and more and
more familiar the appearance of the
accompanying vessel.
"'COnfound the miserable Yankeer
cried Captain Downs, ut last out OF
patience, and grown terribly nervous
with his three or four dayssf suspense.
Can it be that he really means to fol-
low me into port? I'd no idea the
would carry his contemplate folly to
this eXtentp
He had, indeed, good reason to feel
disturbed, for there, before his eyes,
and not two miles off, was the Rebecca,
bearing straight mp for Spithead.
No doubt ne thought of the Board
of Admiralty, the Curt of Kings
Bench, the interminable discussion ia
Parliament, and all the wearying com
plications, both national and interna-
tioual. which this vexatious matter in.
volyed. And who could say how many