The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-09-11
"STRRKGE FISH,"
BY ]. FREDERIC TH0RHE.
uELLO, Frank, you're just the fell
low want to see! VIII Won come

for a sail?"
Yes; certainly"
"All right. 1 will go down and get
the Seagull ready"
Frank Haughton and his chum Wal
ter Laurence were skillful sailors, and
had spent many an hour in Walters
little sloop Seagull, sailing around the
bay, even, at times, going as far as "the
Hook. 1t was a bright, beautiful
morning, in the summer of 1775, that
these two boys of EIizabethport, N. j..
started upon their sail.
Walter hoisted the jib and fastened
the halyard just as Frank pulled the
anchor inboard; then, as the head of
the boat swung around into the wind,
both boys grasped the mainsail hal
yards and soon had the sail spread to
the wind.
The sails bellied out, and, with Wal
ter at the helm and Frank tending the
sheets, the Seagull heeled over under
the strong breeze and went skimming
along, speedily emerging from Raritan
bay and rounding the upper end of
Staten Island. The boys then came
about and pointed for the Narrows.
Lets run down to the Hook"
"All right; we've got plenty of time,
and this is a splendid breeze; 'twon't
take us more than about two hours, 60
ing at this rate"
I'VE may see some British ships"
"We may, but 1 hardly think it is
likely - none have been reported.
George Trevers, whose father, you
know, is one of the committee of safety,
told me that his father said at dinner
last night that nothing had been seen
or heard of any British ships for some
time"
I'D like to see one, wouldn't you?"
"Oh, yes; unless they capture u.s."
"Why should they do that?"
They might try 10 find out something
about the cOntinentals from u.s."
We'll, they wouldn't learn anything
from me. I'd let 'em cut off my head
first"
They would have a hard time max
ing me tell anything"
The boys continued discussing what
they would and would not do in the
event of their being taken prisoners by
the British. Meanwhile the Seagull,
which the boys declared was the fast
est boat in New York harbor, was max
ing good use of her wings, and showing
that she deserved their boast. They
had passed through the Narrows, and
were rapidly nearing Sandy Hook.
Il hear that George has got a new
Look there! A British ship!"
"Where?"
"Over there"
"Sure enoughI"
81 wonder if she's a man-of-war?"
81 don't think so; she doesn't look
like one to me-"
shes taking in sail"
There goes her anchor"
Lets run down close enough to see
what she is"
"All right"
a turn of the tiller, and the nose of
the Seagull was pointed in toward the
Jersey shore, where a large, square
rugged ship, flying the easily recog-
nizable Union Jack" of England, was
anchoring.
The boys ran up quite close, and soon
saw that she was not a m~an-of-war.
AS they came near they were hailed by
sailor:
Boat ahoy!"
"Ahoy!"
"Come up alongside"
"NNhat do you think, Frank-shall
we"
Yes. we might as well. 1 don't
think they will touch u.s."
The boys accordingly sailed up near
the ship, and dropped their mainsail.
This time an officer leaned over the
side and asked:
Where are you from?"
"Elizabethport, sir"
"Where is that?"
"In New Jersey"
"Near New York;"
"Yes, sir"
"Are those rebels whipped yet?"
"Not yet, sir"
Gov. Sir Henry Clinton is in New
York, is he not?"
Yes, sir"
"Will you deliver a letter to him for
There was a moments hesitation up
on the part of Walter, who was acting
rs spokesman, and then he answered:
"Yes, sir;In take it."
Thank you, my boys. He will be
very glad to get it, as he's fond of a
good dinner. Here it is-catch it,"
The officer threw down a sealed let
Ter, which Walter deity caught. .
Now, don't lose it." :
well be very careful, sir"
The boys hoisted their sail again and
put about, returning the officers wave
IF the hand.
Neither spoke until they were quite $
tome distance from the ship. Then =,
taking the letter from his :
pocket, where he had placed it, turned :
t over and reread the superscription:
ITO Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, E
Governor, ETC., of New York Y
IN the American Colonies"
frank, I'll wager you anything that /
hat is a provision ship for the British
roops!" L
What makes you think SOP"