Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-01-09

Responded sutherland. The late conflict
has soured Johns temper, ead he viii
never look upon us with anything ike
complacency again."
Queer, that English merchants should
hire Yankee SHIPPERS muttered an old
tar, who stood looking at the stranger.
with his hands thrust in the breast of
his pea-jacket
Sutherland listened attentively to the
bo'soD's mates soliIoquy, for he himself
thought it singular that she should haul
close upon the wind instead of steering
the more direct course for her place Of
destination.
Do you think the man that hailed us
is an Americana
'Ay. sir" responded the tar "and
Nantucketer at that. or I'm a greenhorn.
| could detect the voice O. one O. them
fellows if be was to below half a knot
through a stovepipe."
The stranger. though dashing rapidly
through the water. was yet within hail
when Sutherland Selling trumpet.
sprang upon gun. and desired him TO
heave to. and send boat alongside The
tall figure again leaped into the mizzen
rigging and replied that all his boats but
the launch had been stove ia in gale of
wind off the Island Of Madeira.
Brace your maintopsail aback then.
and will send boat TO you" rejoined
Sutherland.
The chase, however, took no notice Of
the remark, but singing out good night
through the trumpet. descended to the
deck
Loose the royals; man the fore and
main tacks and sheets; clear away the
flying jib; man the spanker out-haul"
The men obeyed with excited alacrity.
and in a few moments the Sparrow
Hawk was surging ahead in hot pursuit.
Clear away the long gun! Beat to
quartcrs! were the next orders that is
sued from abaft; and then the deck of
the American presented a scene of wild
though not unusual excitement The
shrI, measured notes of the fife blended
with the loud rolling of the drum; the
confused mum Of the men, as they hur-
red up with their hammocks: the clash
ing of cutlasses. as they were thrown
from the arm-chests, all mingled in rude
disorder. But these noises soon subsid-
ed; the men took their places at the guns;
the officers repaired to their respective
stations and when the drum had ceased
W
of the waves as they swept along the
dark counter of the vessel.
The two ships were now running along
at rapid rate; but it was soon obsefv-
able that the stranger was ranging ahead.
As soon as Sutherland perceived this he
ordered a shot to be thrown across the
forefoot Of the chase The match was
applied, the report rang upon the air and
bA holi MI 10 a. pp mn,
lee quarter. but the stranger still held
his way, and in another minute three
small skysails huttered aloft, and were
spread out above his royals.
Throw another among his canvass
exclaimed Sutherland, angriy.
a running fight was now kept up he
tween the pursuer aud the pursued for
another two hours, during which little or
no advantage was gained on either side.
But at the expiration of that time the
stranger, by his superior sailing, had plac-
ed himself beyond the range of the Spar
row Hawks carronades. and the battle
was shen maintained with the two long
guns. the chase. after this. not firing a
single shot in return. Sutherland's only
hope of capturing his antagonist was by
disabling her; and to effect this, he kept
>.
although it retarded the progress of his
ship. and thereby rendered decided ad-
vantage to the retreating vessel. During
the remainder OF the night the chase was
hotiy continued, the stranger gradually
gaining a greater distance; and when the
first flush of morning streaked the hori-
zen she was midtown to windward, and
the long guns of the American were of
no further. service. The breeze, too. be-
gan to die away. and when the sun rose.
it fell dead calm.
The night passed languidly away.
Morning came again; but the calm was
as profound as it had been during the
previous day. At last. when even ex-
pectation sumbered. the gratifying CRY of
A breeze. breezep burst simultaneous
ly from hundred lips. "All hands make
sai!r' exclaimed the officer Of the watch
Up flew the nimble topmen: and in a lit
tie time the Sparrow Hawk was dashing
bravely ahead. The stranger. too, had
spread abroad all his canvas, and was
going off on "taut howline." it being
evidently his fastest point of sailing.
Would the wind had come out from
the Westward" said Sutherland; Il think
if We could obtain the weathergause,
we might yet overhaul the rascal; as it is
our only chance is to keep him in sight
until we have shift of the breeze"
Hes hoisting away his fore storm
staysailr said TopbIock. and as he yet
gazed he beheld her csreen. until her low
err yards nearly touched the water. Like
lightning the truth flashed upon him.
He dropped the telescope. seized deck
trumpet. and raised it to his lips. But
it was too late! The fury of the gust
burst over him. and his voice was drown
ed in the crash of falling spars and the
thunder of the rent canvas. The three
top-masts. jib and flying jib-boom fell
over the side, and the Sparrow Hawk
was helpless wreck.
"Cut.' shouted Sutherland. when he
could at length be heard; ''but there. for
ard!-cut for your .ives.-cut away every
thing The ready seamen leaped into
the gangways. and in moment every
piece of standing or running rigging that
confined the wrecked mastS TO the hull or
the ship was severed.
Hard up your he,ml quartermaster-
hard up, Does she 20 OFF,
No, sirr' shouted the man at the
wheel.
There succeeded few moments Of
breath,esS anxiety. The ship was now in
a situation that threatened her immeai
ate destruction. Her whole broaisi9e
was exposed 70 the hurricane. and her
only hope of salvation was in getting al
once before it. The sea. too. was pouring
Ike 4 cataract over her lee hammock
cloths. and the stsfsoard gausway was
ahoat with water.
Is She going off at aH:" inquired Suth-
erland.
no. Sir. she done bulge an inch" was
the response.
Come aft here. carpenters; Sut away
The mizzen-mast'
The lanyards OF the weasher Sl-gine
were. severed. and after few stroNes o.
the ax the mast fell. with heavy pinege.
into the sea-
shes going or shouted the quarteg>
master.
Very well. stand by to meet her with
the helm and the bows Of the shattered
ship tended gracefully 10 leewa-d. and
recovering her gravity with one deep roll.
she began to drive farioasly through The
h4ilinr ocean