Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-02-27
FOUGHT IT OVER.

q 49, 4 Es4
Early ia the spring Of 1914 the beam
siful harhor Of Yaiparaaso, ,-the chief seas
port u Chilis whs The scene Of several
tirring events. Capt. Porter, afterward
admiral, on returning from his famous
ruise In the southern seas. repaired to
he Gillian seaport before beginning his
nng voyage 70 the United States. Dur
ng his trip among the warm seas he had
wun great glory for the American navy
oy capturing nearly every English whale
sslfp known 10 be of the coast Of Peru
and Chill, and by taking from the enemy
property valued at over two million dol
lars. Besides relieving tho American
whalers Of all danger he had inspired
the Peruvian and Chilian authorities
with respect for the power of the United
States.
While putting up for short time in
shis South American port his ship, the
Essex, was attacked by the English mem
of-war CherHb and Phoebe. The gal
!ant fight which followed was one OF the
bravest in naval history. Though the
Essex was injured by squall before 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 victory until the
hawser of the Essex parted aad fire was
discovered below decks.
The burning Of the ship decided the
tate OF the conflict The flames spread
rapidly. driving the gunners from their
places and terrifying the seamen. Efforts
were made to subdue the flames. hat
under the heavy fire OF the enemy's guns
this was impossible. They crept nearer
and nearer to the magazine. where sew
erai hundred kegs Of powder were stored
away. Approaching the danger that
awaited the ship and its gallant crew
Capt. Porter called his men together aud
gave them liberty to make the attempt
to swim ashore, Many made the at
tempt and succeeded. but others were
drowned.
The flag of the Essex was finally
hauled down aud the surrender made.
Among the seyenty-five prisoners who
were transferred to the decks OF the
Phmhe was "A boy midshipman. who
was not more than 10 years of age. He
had been active in the battle. and now
that all was lost he refused TO leave the
ship until his captain was ready to 20,
Dressed In his bright but battle worn
uniform the young midshipman at
tracted no little attention from the En-
glish sailors. There was a manly, deter
mined look on the youthful face. which
betokened strength OF character and
will. When he stepped from the deck
of the Eesex to that OF the Phoebe he
cast lingering glance AT the burning
ship. and seemed 70 be taking a long
farewell of his old friend.
'sSee the Gttle youngster." remarked
one OF the old sailors on the English
ship. .sHe looks AS If he was the cap.
tain
Captain of his mothers apron
strings.r volunteered another.
A general laugh followed these re.
marks. but the boy, without deigning to
notice the jeers. stepped lightly from
the bulwark Of tha ship to the deck
Taking his place among the prisoners he
quietly waited for further developments.
The English sealnen were actively en-
gagged in transferring everything oi
value from the burning vessel 10 this
Phoebe. The magazine. .storeroom
staterooms and even the captains cabin
were ransaeked for valnables. The
flames. meanwhile, were being put ON
gradually by the Engiishmen.
Asone thing after another was brought
from the hold OF the doomed ship and
thrown recklessly acress 10 the deck ol
the successful mau-of war. the Ameri.
can sailors closed their teeth with rage
and almost longed for renewal Of ths
conflict Articles that had become deal
and familiar 10 their gaze during theil
long journey in the southern seas wars
now passing before their eyes into thu
hands Of the enemy. 1t was sight suf
ficient 10 cause hitter feelings in ans
heart
Finally. one Of the sailors came NJ
from the hold OF the Essex clasping j
small pig Ii his arms The pig WA
sqnealing from fright. while the sailol
shouted out to his comrades in q LOAD
voices
"a prizsShoys. . psizsl RyAJossi III
fine grunter.
he loaped supcn the deck Of the En-
giish ship. There was n commotion To-
moment among the prisoners TIL.
young midshipmsn stepped up 10 th.
sail0r with tho pig, and claimed Il ~ hi.
own. 5..s s4ss5a u M
Its my pet pig said che midship
man. sand be doesn't belong 10 you
HE name u Murphy. and be has beer
with US ever since we left the island q
Mocha. Win you give him upse
'.No. yoa are prisoner and 40 i
your pig, shouted the sailor, al which 1
general laugh WINS set up by the othera.
The young mldakiplnaR. however. wa
not NJ be robbed 20 eaziiy. His facs
flushed up with anger. and seixing tn,
piK with both hands ne said sharply;
..fsut we always respect private prop
erty, and this pig belongs to me"
The pig In question by this time begaz
TO feel uncomfortable in this HANDS Of At
two claimants. and III squealing vas ~