The National tribune., 1898-05-12

northward course, so as to allay sus-
picion on board the blockader, but in
lending to stretch boldly across the Gulf
Stream to Great Abaco, and lie in wait
near the Hole-in-the- Wall for unarmed
Yankee merchantmen trafficking be-
tween Northern ports and Cuba.
She was lucky at the outset, almost
beyond her hopes; falling in, when
scarcely a day at sea, with the brig
Joseph, of Rockland, Me-, laden with
sugar from Cardenas, Cuba, for Phila-
delphia. Setting an American flag in
her main rigging, to indicate her wish
to speak the stranger, the privateer
easily decoyed the Joseph within speak
ing distance, when he ordered her Cap
tain to lower his boat and come on
board.
This command having been readily
obeyed, the merchantmen was astounded
by the information, fully authenticated
by the 1S-pounder aforesaid, that be
was a prize to the nameless wasp on
whose deck he stood, which had unques-
tionable authority from Mr.. Jefferson
Davis to capture all vessels belonging
to loyal citizens Of the United States.
There was plainly nothing to be said,
70 the Yankee skipper said nothing, but
was held prisoner On board his captor,
while prize crew of eight well-armed
men was sent on board the Joseph,
directed to take her with her men into
Georgetown, S. c.
CAPTURE OF PRIvATEERs.
At 5 p m of that day brig hove in
sight, and the Confederate schooner at
once made all sail directly toward her,
expecting, by the easy capture of sec
ond richly-laden merchantmen, to CON-
plete a good days work, even for June.
On nearing her, however, he was aston
ished in turn by show Of teeth-quite
too many of them for his one heavy
grinder.
Putting his craft instantly about, he
attempted, by sharp sailing, to escape,
but it was too late He was under the
guns of the U. S. brig Perry, Lieut.. E
q. Parrot commanding, which at once
set all sail for chase, firing at interval:
as signals that her new acquaintance
was expected TO stop.
The Savannah-for that word, dis
played in raised letters On the front par
Of her trunk cabin-seemed to be, or a
least TO have been, her name-did no
appear TO comprehend, for she sent fou
shots at the Perry, one of which passed
through her rigging.
So the chase continued till s o'clocl
D. NJ, when the Perry had hauled 81
close to the puzzling little craft as t,
order her by trumpet TO heave to, whel
the schooner lowered all her sails ant
her officers ran below In few mo
ments the two quarter-boats of the PER-,
were alongside, and their crews leape'
upon the fiyaway's deck, when all re
remaining mystery as to her characte
was thoroughly dispelled. Her men q
once stepped forward and surrendere
their side-arms, and, perceiving ther
was no bloodshed, the leaders 500
emerged from the cabin and did Xix,
wise.
All were promptly transferred to tt
Perry, and returned in her TO Charlie
ton bar; whence they were dispatche,
on the 9TH, as prisoners, in what ha
been their own vessel, to New Yorl
where they arrived, in charge of Mi'
shipman McCook and prize crew, G
the 18th.
They were arraigned and some
them tried as pirates, but not CO.
victed-Mr. jefferson Davis, by lett
to President Lincoln, dated Richmon
July 6, declaring that he would +
taliate on our prisoners in his hands al
treatment that might be inflicted G
them.
No answer was returned to this lette
but the privateer's crew were ultimate
/ exchanged, like other prisoners of va