The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-04-04

EA
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THE ARREST OF THE IRISH SERGEANT.
Sometimes the resentments against THIS
state of affairs rose almost to a revolt.
The great naval preparations Of Eng
land were not yet complete, but single
British mcn-of-war were now frequently
seen of the Atlantic coast CT the United
States No American vessels had been
captured by these since the message of
the syndicate to the Dominion Of Canada
and the British government. But one
good reason for this was tho fact that it
was very difficult now to find upon the
Atlantic ocean . vessel sailing under the
American flag. AS far as possible these
had taken refuge in their own ports CT in
those Of neutral countries.
At the mouth of Delaware bay, behind
the great Brcakw-ater, was now collected
q number of coastwise sailing vessels ana
steamers Of various classes and sizes; and
for the protection Of these maritime
refugees two vessels of the United States
navy were stationed at this point. These
We're the Lenox and Stockbridgc, two of
the finest cruisers in tho service, and
commanded by two of the most restless
and bravest officers of tho American
navy.
Tho appearance early On q summer
morning of large British cruiser OF
tho mouth of the harbor filled those two
commanders with uhcontroliable bellig-
erencyl That il time CT war 4 vessel IF
tho enemy should be allowed, u.lt.is-
turbcd, to sail up and down before an
American harbor, while an American
vessc! filled with brave American sailors
lay inside like 4 cowed dog, v,as g
thought which goaded the soul Of c1cl,
Ct these commanders. There was = ccr-
tain rivalry between the two ships, and
considering the insult offered by the
Haunting rcd cross in the ofling, and tie
huinili1tiny restrictions imposed by the
naval department, each commander
thought only of his own ship, and not
ct ell of the other.
1t was almost at the same time that
th:s commanders of tho tr:o ships sepa-
ratcly came 70 the conclusion that the
proper way to protect the fleet behind
the breakwatcr was for his vessel to
boldly steam out to sea and attack tho
British cruiser. If this vessel carried a
long range gun, what was to hinder hel
from suddenly running III closer and
sending few shells into tho midst OF
the defenseless merchantmen? In fact
to go out and fight her was the only way
to protect tho lives and property in Tho
harbor.
1t was true that ono of those beastly
repellers was sncaking about of tho
cape, accompanied, probably, by ar
under water tonSs boat. But as neither
OF these had done anything or seemed
likely to do anything, the British cruise,
should be attacked without loss of time
When tho commander of the Lcnoz
came to this decision, his ship wes wei
abreast of Cape Henlopen, and he there
fore proceeded directly out to sea. There
vas little fear in his mind that TIE
English cruiser, which was now bearing
to the southeast. might sail off and get
away from him. Tho Stockbridgc wa;
detained by the arrival of a dispatch
boat from the shore wi ith message from
the naval department. But as this mes
sage related only to the measurements o.
certain deck gun, her commander in
tended as soon as an answer could bt
sent off, to sail out and give battle to tls
British vessel.
Every soul on board the Lenox VIC:
now filed with fiery ardor. The shil
was already in good fighting trim, bu
every possible preparation was made fol
contest which should show their coun
try and the world what American sailor,
were made of.
The Lenox had not proceeded NOR,
than a mile out to sea when sho per
ccivcd Repcller No. coming toward llc,
from seaward, and in a direction which
indicated that it intended to run acros
her course. The Lenox, however, wen
straight on, and in short time the twt
vessels werc quite near each other. Upo,
the deck of tho rcpeller now appcaret
the director in charge, who, with I
speaking trumpet, hailed the Lenox and
requested her to lay to, as he had some
Li11ug W A1AC
of the Lcnox, through his trumpet, ON
| swered that he wanted no communica
tions, and advised the other vessel Il
keep out of his way.
The Lenox now put on greater heat
! of steam, and as she was in any case
much faster vessel than tho repeller, sh'
rapidly increased the distance betwee1
herself and the syndicate's vessel, SO tina
in few moments hailmg was impossible
Quick signals now shot up in jets Of blacl
smoke from the repeiler, and il yer.
short time afterward the speed of tn
Lenox slactened SO much that the repel
ler was able to come up with her.
When the two vessels were abreast o.
each other, and at safe hailing disranca
apart, another signal went up from tht
rcpelier, and then both vessels almos
ceased to move through the water, al
though the engines of the Lenox wer,
working at high speed, with her propel
ler blades stirring up a whirlpool at hel
stern.