The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-23
Positively cured by these
Little Pills.
NERVE OF JACK TAR.
Lieut.. HuII's Bold Act in Taking the
French ship Sandwich.

That night there was a busy hum along
the streets Of Port Platte, the village at
the head of a small harbor on the south
side Of San Domingo. The sun was slow
ly descending behind the blue peaks of
the island, and all knew that deep dark
ness might almost instantly succeed the
brief twilight of the tropics. But the rapid
approach of night was forgotten in the
general alarm, for an American frigate,
with all her canvas spread, was bearing
down upon the French haven. Suddenly
the dreaded vessel furled her courses, and
! hove TO as if to reconnoiter. After scan
ming narrowly the little anchorage, how
ever, she put about and set her courses
again, and her ghostly form was soon
swallowed by the gathering darkness.
1t was in 1900. Some four years before
the French government, incensed with the
United States for making the Jay treaty
with Great Britain, and for electing John
Adams to the presidency, recalled its min
ister and began to capture our merchant
men. President Adams, however, hoped
for peaceful solution of the question at
issue, and sent commissioners to Paris.
| Emissaries of Prince Talleyrand, signing
the initials, *. Y. h.. wrote 10 the Amer
lean ENJOYS, Offering immunity to our
several French officials literally. The en-
voys sent the correspondence TO the Presi-
dent, WEo laid 1t before Congress. The
nation was reused. Millions for defense;
not one cent for tribute! was the cry.
and several very fine warships were built
as rapidly as workmen could put them to-
gether. In February, 1893, Commodore
Thomas Truxtun, in the thlrty-eight-gun
frigate Constellation, captured the French
! T. M 70 in
ribbean sea, and year later, just before
our story opens, pursued, attacked and
vanquished the French La Vengeance of
ffty-four guns.
''Truxtun! Truxtonl La Constellation"
passed from lip to lip with instructive con-
sternation that afternoon at Port Platte.
Night came on, the moon did not appear.
and scudding clouds obscured the stars
| The reveille was beaten at the fort and
the people retired to dream Of their fortu-
nate escape from a visit by the daring
cruisers of the American squadron. Could
| they have pierced the darkness seward,
their self-complacency would have received
rude shock. The frigate, when she lost
sight of the island, came about, and under
full sail stood In for the shore. Just then
the heavy roar of a cannon came booming
over the water, and one after another all
but the lights of the garrison disappeared.
Now is you time" said Commodore Tai
! bot to his lieutenant; "have the second
cutter manned, sir. and come TO me for
further orders Then, looking at the com
pass and observing the log and the sur
roundings, he went below
Enter" he commanded, a few minutes
later, in response to a knock at the cabin
door Are you ready so sQon?" he inquir-
ed, as Lieut. Hull stood before him again.
''All ready, sir"
"Then, SIR" said the Commodore "you
will enter the harbor of Port Platte with
out being discovered, ascertain whether
the craft that we saw lying under the guns
of the fort is the Sandwich and report to
me-"
''How shall ascertain that fact without
boarding her?''
you will know her to be the Sandwich
by the black stripes around her white
masts, and by the shortness of her bow
spirit. Make haste, sir; have other work
for you
Hull withdrew, wrapped himself in his
heavy boat cloak, gave the necessary or
ders to the officer of the deck, and took
his place at the stern sheets of the second
cutter. "Shove off! Let fall Pull cheerily
my boys" were the orders he gave in
quick succession In a low voice; then for
two hours nothing was heard of him
Boat ahOy!" challenged the sentinel at
the gangway of the frigate, as the low
dash of oars fell upon his ear
AYE, aver came from the boat; and
soon Lieut.. Hull stood on deck. 1T is the
Sandwich" he added, saluting the wait
ing commodore.
III have her!" exclaimed Commodore
Talbot as he looked again at the harbor.
which could be dimly seen through the
haze of dawn. about ship, sir! Set all
the studding sails"
Sail hol" cried the lookut
''She is a sloop. sir; and shows Ameri-
can colors."
Hoist our ensign" commanded the
AYE, there comes the Sally, in the nick
of time" said the commodore, who had
come on deck at the first hail. ''Mr Hull
make a signal for her to run down and
speak us. We will at once proceed to bus
mess"
The Sally was soon alongside After
Talbot had conferred with her captain, the
latter and his crew came aboard the fri
gate. while Lieut.. HUI, with a party of
seanen and marines, the latter led by the
brave Capt Carmick, Immediately repair
ed ON board the sloop.
1t was about noon of the following day
when the sloop stood into the harbor Of
Porto Platte. Before her lay the Sand
witch with her broadside bearing on the
approach, and at no great distance he
yond her, the battery on shore showed
its row OF black teeth.
Hull had sent nearly all of his men he
low; and. with a stern anchor ready, he
bore down, like a short-handed, lubberly
sloop, for the bows of the Sandwich. |
stand by to board" he commanded, in a
low voice, speaking to several of hts
most daring men, crouching under abe
bulwarks.
you win be afoul of usr' came in good
English from the lieutenant of the Sand |
wich, who was leaning carelessly over the
rail
Il think I shall" was the laconic reply |
A moment later the slpop struck
Let 80 that hedger' Numbered Hull
IL was done like magic
'Boarders, away" he cried, and, seiz- |