The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-02-26
FOUGHT IT OVER.

Early in the spring of 1914 the
beautiful harbor of Valparaiso, the
chief seaport of Chill, was the scene OF
several stirring events. Capt. Porter,
afterward admiral, on returning from
his famous cruise in the southern seas,
repaired to the Gillian seaport before
beginning his long voyage to the United
States. During his trip among the
warm seas he had won great glory for
the American navy by capturing near
ly every English whale ship known to
be off the coast of Peru and Chill, and
by taking from the enemy property
valued at over two million dollars
Besides relieving the American whalers
of all danger he had inspired the Peru
Wan and Gillian authorities with re-
spect for the power OF the United
States.
While putting up for a short time in
this South American port his ship, the
Essex, was attacked by the English
men-of-war Cherub and Phoebe. The
gallant fight which followed was one of
the bravest in naval history. Though
the Essex was injured by a squat be-
fore the battle commenced, and the
weight OF men and metal was heavily
in favor of the British. the American
man-of-war had strong chances of vic
tory until the hawser of the Essex part
ed and fire was discovered below decks.
The burning of the ship decided the
fate of the conflict. The flames spread
rapidly, driving the gunners from
their place and terrifying the seamen.
Efforts were made to subdue the
flames but under the heavy fire OF the
enemy's guns this was impossible.
They crept nearer and nearer to the
magazine, where several hundred kegs
ofpowder were stored away. Apprecla-
ting the danger that awaited the ship
and its gallant crew Capt. Porter
called his men together and gave them
liberty to make the attempt to swim
ashore. Many made the attempt and
succeeded, but others were drowned
The flag of the Essex was finally
hauled down and the surrender made
Among the seventy-iive prisoners who
were transferred to the decks of the
Phoebe was boy midshipman, who
was not more than l3 years OF age.
He had been active i'll the battle, and
now that all was lost he refused to
leave the ship until the captain was
ready to go. Dressed in his bright but
battle worn uniform the young mid
shipman attracted no little attention
from the English sailors There was q
manly, determined look on his youth
full face, which betokened strength oil
character and will. When he stepped
from the deck of the Essex to that OF
the Phoebe he cast a lingering glance
at the burning ship, and seemed to be
taking a long farewell ofhis old friend
"See the little youngster, remarked
one of the old sailors on the Englisl
ship. HE looks as if he was the cap
tain"
Captain of his mothers apron
strings" volunteered another.
A general laugh followed these re
marks, but the boy, without deignin
to notice ieers, stepped lightly from
the bulwark of the ship to the deck
Taking his place among the prisoner
he quietly waited for further develop
ments. The English seamen wer
actively engaged in transferring every
thing of value from the burning vesse
to the Phoebe. The magazine, store
room, staterooms and even the CAP
tain's cabin were ransacked for valua
bles. The flames, meanwhile, were be
ing put out gradually by the English
men.
As one thing after another wa
brought from the doomed ship an
thrown recklessly across the deck {
the successful man-of-war, the Amer
can sailors closed their teeth with rage
and almost longed for renewal of til
conflict. Articles that had becom
dear and familiar to their gaze durin
their long journey in the southern sea
were now passing before their eyes II
. to the hands OF the enemy. 1t was
sight sufficient to cause bitter feeling
I in any heart.
| Finally one of the sailors came II
[ from the hold of the Essex clasping
{ small pig in his arms. The pig wa
| suuealing from fright, while the sailC
| shouted out to his comrades in a lou
J voice:
! "a prize, boys, prizel By Jove it
J q fine grunter."
! He leaped upon the deck OF the FL
glish ship. There was a commotio
| for moment among the prisoner
{ The young midshipman stepped up t
| the sailor with the pig, and claimed
as his own.
! cts my pet pig" said the midshil
! man, "and he doesn't belong to yo
(, His name is Murphy aud he has bee
/, with us ever since we left the island
| Mocha. Will you give him up.
I "No; you are prisoner and so
your pig, shouted the sailor, lat whit
u general laugh was set up by Il
others.
! The young midshipman, howeve
was not to be robbed so easily. II
J face flushed up with anger, and Sc
! ing the pig with both hands he sa
=, sharply:
: But we always respect priva
a property, and this pig belongs to me
a The pig in question by this time
= gan to feel uncomfortable the ham
y of it's two claimants, and its squei
| ing was renewed and increased tenfol
The sailor chung to his prize, and t
young midshipman kept his hold WI
A. equal determination.
The pig had been captured on t
1 A..