Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-02-09

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sailor, who hailed from somewhere in
the little State of Delaware. After The
brig had been duly entered at the Gus
tom House, she was soon cleared of
her cargo, and within one week after
her arrival she was loaded for home. |
One pleasant evenins-the one pre-
ceding the day on which the brig was
to sail-Tom Macdonough took stroll
up into the town, was seived by q
press-gang, and in less than half an
hour found himself on board an Eng
lish frignte, which lay at the mouth of
the river.
"A fine set of men," said the Eng
lish captain, as he ran his eyes admir-
ingly over the stalwart forms of the
impressed seamen. ''They will just
fill up the list of our n-topmen."
care you the commander of this
frigate?" asked Tom, addressing the
man who had just spoken.
Captain Downie, at your service"
replied the comma nder, with much
gravity.
''rhen, sir, of you I demand my i'm
mediate release. / am second in com
mand of an American brig now ready
for sea, andsno power in England can
legally detain me-"
'That won'tggo down, youngster,"
returned the captain, with a sneer.
"You are a little too young for such
an office. The king needs men, and
you must take your chance with the
rest"
''Do you mean to say that 1 am to
be detained on board your ship?"
'"Certainly."
"Then, sir" replied Tom, while his
eyes flashed fire, ''you will do it at
your peril. Already have your people
run up heavy reckoning, and the
day shall yet come when your king
will have to settle it. lam exempt by
your'own laws from impressment, and
you know it,"
The captain showed little anger
as our hero spoke, but, turning to one
OF his lieutenants, he said:
"Mr. Monson, have these mems
names entered, and then station them
and mess them;" and without further
remark he walked aft to his cabin.
In moment Toms mind was made
up, and without resistance or remark
of any kind he allowed his name to
be entered ON the purser's books, and
his station and mess to be assigned
him, after which hammock and bed
ding were served out to him, and he
was directed to ''turn in" as soon. as
possible.
The frigate was we'll guarded by
sentries, there being two upon the
poop, one at each gangway, one OIL
the forecastle and one on the bowsprit,
besides those which were stationed at
various posts below, so that no further
notice was taken of the newcomers
after they had received their bedding,
excepting to give the sentinels ad.
ditional caution with regard to watch.
ing well that no one left the ship un.
less he was passed by the officer of the
deck.
Toms hammock was already clewed,
and, having hung it up, he turned
into it without undressing. The night
was warm and sultry, and as a means
OF giving a cf1 oulation of fresh air the
gun-deck ports were lowered, and from
the place in which our hero swung he
could look out upon the water as it
sparkled beneath the beams of the
bright moon. Tom lay quiet until
midnight, but rs yet he could think
of no means of escape. Shortly after
that hour had passed he heard the re-
lief guard called, and in some ten
minutes the corporal of the first
guard came down upon the gun-deck
and unlashed the hammock which
hung next to his own, which opera
tion being performed he proceeded to
undress himself, hanging his clothes,
as he did so. upon the clews of his
hammock. The four hours duty had
given the corporal an excellent appe-
tite for sleep, and in less than five
minutes after he touched the mattress
he began to snore.
. "Now or never" thought Tom, sis
my chance" and with this idea in
his mind he slipped quickly out from
his hammock and proceeded to divest
himself of his own clothes, which,
having been accomplished, he very
unceremoniously substituted those oi
the snoring corporal in their ssplace,
and then sat down upon the breech
ing of gun to mediate further upon
his plans.
One bell struck and the sentinels
passed the usual "all's we'll" Their
Tom heard the corporal as he started
to go his rounds, and ere long he de
scended the main hatch ladder to visi
the posts below. No sooner had tn,
uarine officer passed the gallery tha,