Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-09-09

"How are they headed?"
''This way, sir"
"Good! Hail them when they are
near enough, and tell them to come
alongside. I'd not mind a mess of fresh
fish,
SAY, 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
the man at the bow-oar of the leading
boat with:
what have you there, my man?"
Strange fish for you, SIR"
whats that?"
"Fresh fish, sir"
"Send some on board"
81 will that, sir-more than you'll
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 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 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 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 run 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 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 hot
and fierce fight.
The Americans were forward, led by
Mr.. Trevers, while the British sailors
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
seemed as though the Americans would
be driven dack to their boats, but they
were rallied by the cry of: Remember
lexington"
From then on the British were driven
slowly but surely back. The two boys
played their parts manfully, more than
once saving each others life.
The conflict, though sharp, was short;
there was a final rush on the part of the
Americans, and then, less than half an
hour from the time the first shot was
fired, the Americans were in full pos
session of the ship, with the defeated
British prisoners. They had been taken
completely by surprise, and lost nearly
30 men, while the American loss was
but four killed and half-a-dozen
wounded. The captors manned the
Deerhound and sailed her up to Eliz-
abethport, where her cargo was landed
amid the cheers of the whole town, who
crowded the shore.
Frank and Walter were the heroes of
the day, and the objects of envy of every
other boy in town.
So Gov. Clinton was deprived Of some
good dinners by two boys, and it be-
came a catch word in Elizabethport,
when asked what one had, to reply:
Strange fish" - Leslie's Popular
Monthly