Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-04-17
Mount Desert Herald
An Old Sailors Story.
CAPTAIN ALIENS BATTLE WITH THE ENG
IiSiI BkRGE.
ny LEMuEL BAkER SAWYER.

by LEMUEL BAkER SAWYER.
Capt. Allen was a sea-faring man. He
was a near relative to heroic Allen of Ii
conderoga fame and possessed many OF
his bold and daring qualities. The story
following was related to me by himself -
In the latter part of the war of 1912
was in Boston. and while passing lum-
her yard the owner called ME into his Of
fee. His name was Warren and had car
ried several cargoes for him before the
war. Said he:
II want a cargo Of lumber from Calais,
Do you think il possible TO get II here;"
# told him | thought that 1t could be
done; but that it would be hazardous un-
deriaking." lie replied:
Il am aware Of that fact, but you can
get the lumber here if anybody can. You
see am about short OF lumber and must
have a load if possible. cost what 1t will"
II will think about it, Mr.. Warren" said
|. and then decide what | can do. will
call tomorrow.
The next day l found Mr.. Warren in his
Office and al once told him my plans for
procuring the lumber. saying:
II shall depend upon speed; therefore |
" ailA lIlt la.tAli- 'fNSfi bbAt tah Vt
found. know OF one, the schooner De
fance; you Will get that one and put her
in good order will undertake the job"
Come" said Mr.. Warren, I'VE will go
down and see the owners"
We found the owners and soon made
known our business. Mr.. Warren and Mr.
Jones, the vessels owner, soon came To
terms Then Mr.. Warren turned to me
and said
Capt. Alien, now You may take charge
of the schooner. and fit her up to your
liking; hire your crew, and will foot the
bills"
| told Mr. Warren to keep the business
To ourselves and we would iii out ostensi-
bly a. a priyateer for II 1t was known
that was after lumber the British would
keep a better watch. also told him II |
landed the lumber safely on the wharf he
must pay me two hundred dollars. II
did not | should lose my time He agreed
to do 80 and further explained that II
was likely TO be captured | should run the
vessel on shore, set her on fre. take the
small boat and make the best of my way
To a harbor. Then the enemy will not
get the vessel nor the crew. ! shall take
the hold full and about half a deck-load so
we NAV be in good trim for sailing. We
had better do that than take full load and
lose the whole"
looked around and saw an old ship
mate OF mine, true as steel, whom | ship
ped as mate, also a crew of five men.
told the crew that very likely We would
have TO do some lighting and if the sigh,
of blood made any of them faint they had
better not 90 with US.
One and all said, Captain, we will fol
low you and go where you order us" (All
of us had occasionally blooded our knife
handles One of them said he had helped
board three vessels and could show the
marks of wounds The foremost speaker
said, Captain. don't let US 90 to Halifax
as prisoners, that is the only favor we
ask" ! told them not to be alarmed abopt
being taken as prisoners. We would not
be taken alive; better die fighting.
We then put the defiance" in good or
der and took ship stores for six weeks
voyage We expected to perform it in
three weeks, but the enemy might drive
us into some harbor and keep US there hop
ing to starye Us out. | also put eight
stands of arms and ammunition on board
with plenty of small arms. The crew had
pleltv of knives about them.
Everything was ready and at night We
OUT Vi lbt ubNh ENpOI 'Adi VIZ
set sail and went down the bay before a
nice "nor'-wester." The enemy seemed to
pay Us but little attentions but they could
easily understand our business and had
rather take loaded vessel than light
one.
In three days we were in Calais; in two
more days we were loaded. The next day
we went down the river and waited for a
fair vripI wantaI a beast
which, of course, would make it foggy
and that would give US a chance to make
a good run, or z" to the bottom.
We waited two days; the third day about
one O'Clock the wind sprung up from the
northeast and there were signs of a storm
The fog coming in thick soon as dark W.
made sail and put her on the wind. Aftel
making West Quoddy light We had fail
wind with about a whole sail breeze. We
were congratulating ourselves on making
a good run.
About daylight the wind slackened uI
and the fog began to scatter away. Wher
the sun came up the fog disappeared; ther
the wind hauled out to the southeast ant
almost died away. We put on the ligh
sails and were now dead before the wind
| considered this the most dangerous par
of our voyage and SO sent a man alOft x
look out for the enemy. Shortly after h'
sang out:
Sail ho."
How does il bear!'
"Over the larboard quarter"
Keep your eye on her, Greedy"
LAY, ay. sir"
/ took the glass, but could see nothing
from the deck, SO l sung out:
(which way does she head?"
"About northeast, sir and | think, cap
tain, she has msde US out. They hav,
changed their course and are coming TO
| u.s. She is putting on sail, and it is ,
| brig"
said, 1T is only what expected. Sh,
has fresh breeze of wind and it will sool
reach us put on the main gaff topsail, WI
will have a run for them" In course O
an hour the brig had gained mile or so
We then stood in toward the land in hope
that it would be smoother. We were nov
in rough water. As the wind increased
| tine sea ran higher and higher and our YES
sci plunged into it in frightful manner
| asked the mate If 1t was best to tax
In sail, he thought we had better not d.
| so, and | ordered the men to keep tn
pumps going and make everything fast an
| strong.
told them if everything held that with
| in four hours we would be in harbor.
The brig was gaining on US and We coult
see that they were clearing away their bov
guns. "Let them fire." said the tars, ''it i
so rough they can't hit u.s. Up rolled
column of smoke and ball went whist
ling by. Bang! went another gun, an
!, this time the ball went within six feet o
| US. We stood in as near the island as W
dared; the brig seemed to be afraid tha
we were leading her into difficulty, so sh
hauled of and took In sail.
| We could now see Pond island, and in
short time the entrance of Pigeon Hill ba
| came in view. We ran in and anchors
near .sBobare" island, (the French name
Boisbubert.) We cleared up the deck an