The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-11-24
FOR YOUNG FOLKS.
INTERESTING READING FOR BOYs
AND GIRLS.
The Gallant Deed OF Charles, the
Cabin boy, How He Saved the Ship
4 and Became Famous - BADLY
Enlightened. Ess@

During the wars between France
and England, previous to the Ameri-
can Revolution, the ship Good Tidinss,
of Philadelphia, commanded BY Cap
tain Hezekiah Snifin, a member Of the
Society Of Friends, sailed from New
York with a cargo Of produce bound
to England. When within sight of her
destined port, the Quaker ship was
chased by a small French man-of-War.
Captain Sniffin endeavored to escape,
but finding that the enemy was rapid
II gaining, and would be alongside in
short order, he and his two officers
ceased their exertions, and retired to
their state-rooms for the purpose of Sc
curing few trifies which they desired
to carry with them into captivity. The
cabin-boy Charles, a bright young
Philadelphian Of fifteen years, followed
his captain, and asked If nothing more
was to be done to save the ship. The
master replied that it would be use
less; that If they submitted quietly
they would probably receive : good
treatment, whereas to offer opposition
would be but to incur the i'll will Of the
E1enchmen, which would be- vented
upon. them, to their sorrow. Charles
then returned to the deck, and address
cd the crew Of fifty men telling them
that he had a plan by which they
might save themselves from. foreign,
prison. He then explained to them
what he proposed to do, and the sail
ors agreed to place themselves under
his command and to execute his orders
faithfully. A few minutes later the
French cutter ranged alongside and
made fast; then seeing that no opposi-
ton was to be made to their boarding,
all but about dozen of them jumped
. on the deck Of the merchantmen, most
of them diving below in search Of plum
der
The moment arrived for which
: Charles had waited. Giving the signal,
to his men, he bounded over the bull
wark rail, his trusty followers at his
side. ! Before the few startled men
o'war's men could recover their wits,
several OF the sailors cut the lashings
that held the two vessels together,
while the remainder quickly 4oYerpoW-
cred the ,scanty guard that had been
left on the cutter. While the discoIn-
flied F'renchmen stood ON the deck Of
the Good T4dings, looking at their ves-
sci only few yards away, sailing O.
course parallel with their own, Charles
hailed and ordered that the port Just
ahead should be steered for, threaten
Ing that if they refused he would blow
them out Of the water with their own
guns. TO make his threat effectual he
sent the men to the guns and provided
them with lighted matches. Under
standing that their lives depended upon
obedience, they sorrowfully steered into
the port Of their enemies, followed by
the cutter with the English flag hoist
ed above the French. Upon coming
to anchor, communication was had
with the shore, and detachment Of
soldiers was sent off to iron the pris-
oners and mount guard over them.
When the particulars of this daring
deed beca1Se known the gallant boy
was commissioned midshipman in
the royal navy. He became one of the
most distinguished officers in the Bng-
llsh service, and rose to the rank Of
Admiral and Commander-in-chief. Be
Ing knighted by his sovereign, he came
to be known as Sir Charles Wager
Harpers Young People.