The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-09-11

the preparations for the expedition.
They secured a cutlass and pistol apiece,
with ammunition. Then came the
question how to conceal the weapons,
1t was easy enough with the pistols, but
with the swords it was a much more
difficult matter. Finally they con-
cluded to put them inside their shirts
and down the legs of their breeches.
This made walking rather awkward,
but the boys hoped to escape detection,
and in the excitement of the prepare
tons they did so. As they lay in the
dark hatchway they fairly trembled
with suppressed excitement, and in
fact, the older members of the little
band were not too self-possessed.
1t was nearly dusk when a sailor on
board the Deerhound sang out:
-Four boats on the sta'board bow,
sir!"
What are they?"
Look like fishing craft, sir"
"Many men?"
1.-TWO in each boat, sir"
"How Ire they headed?"
This way, sir"
Good! Hail them when they ara
near enough, and tell them to come
alongside. I'd not mind a mess of fresh
fish"
"Ay, ay, sir"
The four boats drew slowly nearer
and. upon being hailed by the sailor,
they ranged along the side of the ship.
The officer before mentioned hailed
boat with:
what have you there, my MANI"
Strange fish for you, sir"
whats that?"
Fresh fish, sir"
"Send some on board"
Il will that, sir-more than youth
like"
What say yOu?"
I'll send as many as you want, SIR
"All right; send them along"
The supposed fisherman then turned
unnecessarily loud:
Get out the fish"
This was the agreed signal, and the
words had no sooner left his lips than
the matches were burst open and the
armed Americans swarmed up the sides
of the ship.
Capt. Henderson had given a sur
prised shout at this catch of what were
indeed strange fish" and they were far
more than he liked"
His shout and the sight of the climb.
ing Americans aroused the crew of the
Deerhound. They sprang for their
arms, and, what was not an altogether
pleasant surprise to the Americans,
were Joined by a company of soldiers.
who came pouring up from below, guns
in hand. This put the numbers in favor
of the British, but the Americans hest
tated not a moment.
Frank had sprung for and grasped
the anchOr-chain, up which he went,
followed by Walter. their swords be-
tween their teeth. and the pistols stuck
in their Wristbands. As Frank leaped
down from the bulwarks his foot
caught. and he fell headlong on the
deck. One of the soldiers sprang for
ward. and in another moment would
have u him through with his bayonet,
but Walter was right behind his chum.
He had one leg over the side Of the ship.
when he saw the soldier spring at
Frank. Walter whipped the pistol out,
and. hardly waiting to aim, fired, and
had the satisfaction of seeing the man
fall when he was within a foot of Frank.
Frank was on his feet again in a min.
ute; he grasped his friends hand for a
second. without speaking. and then
a few minutes from the first shout, the
deck of the ship was the scene Of a ho
and fierce fight.
The Americans were forward, led by
Mr.. Trevers. while the British sailor.
and soldiers were massed just abaft the
mainmast. There was not much time
for any formation. as the fight began
when the first American put his foot on
deck. 1t was shoot, cut. slash and
stumble. Back and forth across the
deck ragged the conflict; at one time it
as though the Americans would
oC NIIhCi NdSh ~ tHSL1 DOdNS. Dul bhCS |
we're rallied by the cry of: Remember
lexington"
From then on the British were driven
but surely back. The two boys
their parts m%anfully, more thai
once saving each others life.
The conflict, though sharp, was short;
was a final rush on the part of the
Americans, and then, less than half an
from the time the first shot was
the Americans were in full pos
ession of the ship, with the defeated
British prisoners. They had been taken
by surprise, and lost nearly
70 men, while the American loss was
,ut four killed and half-a-dozen
wounded. The captors manned the
and sailed her up to Eliz-
.bethport, where her cargo was landed
mid the cheers of the whole town, who
rowded the shore.
Frank and Walter were the heroes of
he day, and the objects of envy of ever!
'ther boy in town.
So Gov. Clinton was deprived of some.
God dinners by two boys, and it be.
anne a catch word in Elizabethport,
rhen asked what one had. to reply:
Strange fish" - Leslie's Popular