Middletown transcript., 1894-04-07
found themselves overpoweerd.

1
Sam, as soon as he saw there was
light enough to enable his men to work
lump, some of you, and lay main top
sail aback. You take the helm, jerry" !"
These orders we're quickly obeyed.
Down with the hatches," was our
Yankee shippers next order, as he saw
that the off watch was tumbling on
deck. Knock back every man that at
tempts to come up.-Now
where is the captain of the era ft?''
Before Sam received any answer to
this question, he noticed that some of
the briggs crew had armed themselves
from the arm chest, which stood abaft
the mainmast, and he ordered his
followers to down with them at once.
There were not more than dozen at
most who had thus got arms, and in
less than two minutes they were
sprawling upon the deck. Our hero
saw that now was his time to strike.
without stopping to ask questions, so
he turned to his men ard gave the
word TO strike.
''If there is any captain to this brig"
he cried, "let him look out, for down
goes every man that shows himself un-
til you surrender. Cry for quarter as
soon as you please; but you'll die fast
if you DON'T"
The Yankees were all in order now,
and there was light enough for them to
see plainly about the deck, as the Ian
terms had been hung upon their beckets
over the guns, when the Englishmen
had started for the arm chest.
"You would rob us of our hard
earned bread, and starve our wives
and little ones," cried Sam, as he
dashed aft, after having seen suffi,,
cient guard over the chest. "We'P
see whether you shall ride rough shod
over the rights of free born people.
Down! down. Strike boldly, my brave
men. Strike for the honor of our
noble fagP'
And they did strike. A few minutes
the stubborn Briton held out, and
then he yelled with all his might for
quarters. He had no arms, and he saw
his men all driven into solid body
without the power of defence.
Latham gave the word to stop the
conflict, and in few moments more
the din of battle ceased. The English
captain came forward and reported
himself to the Yankee skipper.
"Have ye surrendered?" asked Sam.
Yes" uttered the Briton. "We
are not able to cope with power that
sneaks upon US like snake at mid
night"
"Then you shouldn't tread upon
snakes at midnight" answered Sam.
II know ye. You talk about sneakin'!
What do you call the murderin' OF
poor women and children, and the
bnrnin' of poor mems houses? But it's
no use of talkin.' Call your men aft
sr, and we'll see 'em."
The captain said no more in the way
o. elimination, but his men were all
called aft, and as soon as the briggs
irons could be found, our hero set his
men at work securing his prisoners
AS soon as this part of the work was
done, the few who had been killed Of
the enemy were gathered together, ant
then Sam sent Jerry Clarke on boarf
the sloop with six good men. Ere
long the g rapplings were cast loose
and the briggs main-top sail filled, ant
as soon as good ground was found th'
prize was brought to an anchor.
The next morning came clear and
bright. The clouds we're all rolling of
to the south'rd, and the sun arose
without even mist to obscure it
glowing glorious face. The tide sci
up the eaco River. and with it CAM
the little sloop Sally Ann, and in hel
wake followed the English brig Alecto
In less than an hour the rivers bank
were lined with rejoicing people, ant
glad shouts rent the air. Old Mr.
Webb was among the first to com
down, and he met Sam Latham as h
came OIL shore.
To say that Sam was lion woult
not be half; but the noble Yankee
skipper was by no means willing t.
have all this honor to himself. He tool
the pay which had been promised him
bee .use he was poor and needed it; bu
his brave fellows did not 60 unre
, warded. From the proceeds of tn
prize they we're all amply paid, thoug
each and. all cared but little for tn
} money when compared with the salts
faction they experienced in capturing
the Englishman, and thus riddln
themselves and their countrymen of
dangerous and troublesome enemy.
Sam Latham has left goodly mum
ber of decendents, and some of ther
3 are still living; and there are quite
r number of younger Sans who tax
: much pride in telling the story of oil
Q Sans Midnight Cruise.