Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-20

The party then retreated with their cap
tives, closely followed by the crowd,
| crying, "Down with the press gang!
Down with themr More than once the
sailors were so hard pressed that those
| in the rear had to turn and make stand
in the narrow streets, and a serious con-
fiict was threatened. But they reached
their boats with the men they had cap
tured, and at daylight next morning the
sloop Of war in the bay had disappeared.
That night there was much wailing
among the women of st. Ives, and a
fruitful subject of talk was afforded to
the club at the George and Dragon.
Among the members Of this club were
Capt. Trenwith, a retired officer of the
navy, who had sailed with Admiral Ben
bow, and had lost leg in the service of
his country; Mr.. Matthews, ropemaker
and mayor of st. Ives; old Will Nance,
who had once been smuggler, and who
wore a patch over his left eye, which
had been knocked out In some encounter
with revenue officers; and, lastly, John
Tackabird, the town barber, who, al
though occupying lower social position,
was allowed to associate after business
hours with the men whose wigs he
dressed in the morning. But the barber
was in advance of his time, and held
opinions which Capt. Trenwith and the
mayor thought little less than treason
able. John Tackabird was, in fact, a
Democrat; and on the present occasion
he was loud in his denunciation of the
press gang, which he said was contrary
to Magma Charta and the bill of rights
tyrannical and unconstitutional viola
ton Of the liberty Of the subject, and
showed the English to be a nation of
downtrodden slaves, writhing under the
iron heel of despotism.
where" said he, waving a newspa-
per in his hand, where are our boasted
liberties, when the hirelings of corrupt
government can thrust themselves into
our houses and carry off our sons and
brothers, and force them to fight In the
unholy quarrels of kings and their I'M
scrupulous ministers? How long are we
to be chained to the chariot wheels Of a
bloodthirsty obligarchy? How long,
tut, tut" interposed Capt. Trenwith
with warmth. "Stop thy palaver, John
Tackabird. The king must have men
for his ships"
"Men for his ships. Capt. Trenwith"
retorted the barber; ''iet the king get
them by fair and honest means, and then
he will perchance have men who will
stick to their colors, and not run away as
one of Admiral Benbow's ships did In the
West Indiesl'
This was a sore subject with Capt
Trenwith, who could endure no slur on
the British navy, and who had himself
been an officer on board Admiral Ben
bows ship at the time referred to. The
barber felt he had gone too far, but the
mischief was done.
The captain rose from his seat, his face
purple with rage. Thou id chin
scraring rascal how burst thou rake
that matter up in my presence? I'll
drive my staff down thy throat for
prating of matters beyond thy BARRIERS
brainr'
"Nay, nay, cap'n," cried Will Nance;
"let John Tackabird be. Mayhap he
| hath spoken unwisely, but it's well
known Cap'n Wade and Cap'n Kirby
were shot at Plymouth for deserving the
admiral"
"Yes," said Capt. Trenwith, resuming
his seat, his anger having passed away
as suddenly as 1t came-"yes, and shoot
ing was too good for them. They ought
to have been hanged at the yardarm-
and so should some others that l wot orr
here he looked hard at the ci-devan.
smuggler.
"Well, but"-resumed the barber,
whose tongue must needs wag in spite
of his fear of the captain-''touching
this matter Of the press gang
"Ill hear no more ON t." cried Capt.
Trenwith; "'tis in every FOOLS mouth
that one volunteer is worth ten pressed
| men; but have seen pressed men fight
as braveiy as the best-and as for AID
miral Benbow, he fought his ship like a
hero, and died the death of gallant old
sea dog as he was. Ii some of his men
left him In the lurch, enough remained
to save the honor of England. But bark
ye, John Tackabird, let me warn thee
that there be some matters had better be
forgotten"
At that moment, a steaming bowl Of
punch being brought in, all further I'M
pleasantness disappeared under its sooth-
ing influence. The party, which now
included Peter Hexel and John Renow.
den, drew In their chairs, and the for
mer proceeded to fill the glasses Of his
guests with silver punch iadle that had
a guinea let into the bottom of it, AS II
was not yet known that young Hexel
was one of the pressed men, there was
| nothing to cloud their enjoyment. A
visit from the press gang was too COM
mon an occurrence In seaport towns In
those days to excite much remark, save
among those who were the immediate
sufferers. Capt. Trenwith said he would
take upon himself to propose toast,
| which he hoped no one present would
refuse to drink.
The king Of England had declared war
against Spain, and, as the Spaniards had
seized all the British ships in their har-
bors, he thought the sooner they closed
with the enemy the better. He begged
to propose the health of King George
| and success to the British arms. II they
lived to see another Christmas eve he
doubted not they would be able to say
the honor of England had been well main
tanned. As the punch was exceeding
| good. and had put much heat into every
man of the company, the toast was drunk
with great enthusiasm. Even John Tacka-
bird smacked his lips with satisfaction.
at hath been reported" said VIII
Nance, "that Admiral Vernon is gone as
commander in-chief to the West Indies,
and that he swears to take Portobello on
| the Spanish main, even IL he hath no
| more than six ships wherewith to do ii. "
II know not how that may be-" said
| the incorrigible barber. "If he has only
| pressed men to back him, doubt it,
With an ominous look at the last speak.
err, Capt Trenwith cut the matter short.
1--WE shall see" said he. when it's done
we shall doubtless hear on it-but what
| noise is that outside? What now, Tom
| Champer7 What's amissy"
There's much amiss, Capt Trenwith, "
said young Champer, who now entered
the room. 'Dick Hexel Is among the
pressed men. He was seen In the last
boat when they put off from the shore. y
WHAT my son taken by the press
gangt" cried Peter Hexel, starting to his
feet. POUNDS! I'll not believe it-there
must be some mistake"
II fear there Is no mistake" said
| Champer: and there was a gleam of sat
isfaction on his face, which he tried &c
/ With jaI Lob r>o,,