Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-11-28

i ish insisted on the right of search
on the high seas, and impressed our
sailors and seized our crafts with the
assurance that follows might, but
when the French, after coming to our
aid in the struggle for liberty, turned
about and followed the example of
John Bull, every American could see
lots of trouble ahead. Trouble there
was. and the national embargo added
to it, but before our ships were laid
up to rot at the wharves something
happened at sea well worth relating.
Up at New Bedford lived Israel and
Ichabod Jones, who had been sailors
all their lives, and during the war had
sailed out of Boston as mates of pri-
vateers. Brothers they were, and
though not twins they looked like,
talked alike, and seeing one was as
good as seeing both. With the money
obtained from the prize courts each
built himself a brig, and they were
named "Mary'' and Susan
AS England and France were at war
and the carrying trade was mostly in
the hands of Americans, there was
money to be made in supplying either
side. Before the French edict, which
was blow at England, the French
market was the best, but to avoid
seizure by the British ships the car
goes were run to Holland. The briggs
had made trial trip together before
loading, and they were fast and
showed the same speed. They were
almost ready to sail when Israel went
over to the Susan and said to his
. brother:
Brother Ichabod, am a man of
peace, who goes his own way and
wants no quarrel" u
$50 m ]" replied Ichabod, as he put
down the hammer he had been using
), in. the cabin.
: We are like to BE overhauled by
the British and French, both and, as
we know, there are pirates still on
the high seas. Ss'peakin' without heat
and in a brotherly way, I am not goin'
to be a worm of the dust
.'f you amt then ain IT,, ~ said
Ichabod, as he loolSed#lp for the first
time. .s.s..E # a# HI ID ID
eve are to finish our cargoes in
Boston, and I have been thinkin'-nay,
Ichabod, have concluded mount
a Long Tom on the deck of the
Mary I will also provide powder,
shot and shell, and if any enemy seeks
to overhaul me I Gill let fly at him in
hopes to do him injury.''sags.
H Hslsf And by gum u will do. the same!p
claimed Ichabod with. comm ndabie
spirit as he resumed his work.
In due time the MARY and "Su-
san" reached Boston, and the guns
Gere purchased and mounted. There
were those who laughed and sneered.
at the idea, asking what single gun:
would do against broadside, but
Capts. Israel and Ichabod would be
drawn into no argument. They were
carrying out an idea which was shortly
to make the humble briggs more ia
nous for time than the old ''Con-
stitution'' herself. As both were
bound for the same port across the
seas, they finished loading at about
the same time and got away together.
10th briggs had been built on the lines
OF privateers and were well manned,
and they had not been three days at
sea when Capt. Israel said to his
mate:
Joshua, speakin' as sailor might,
and without undue boastin', femme
say that our craft can sail around the
nayies of England and France as a
colt gallops around hay-stack.'
And in that same hour Ichabod
heayed the log, looked at the record,
and rubbing his big hands together
he said to his mate:
& "Jeptha, by gum and by thunder,
but this brig has got wings and is
overhaulin' the sea gulls! I'm almost
j sorry we brought that cannon, for I
believe that we can outrun anythin'
that sails, leayin' out brother Israel's
clipper
For ten days the briggs ran almost
side BY side. Then in strong squall
and q dark night they became sepa-
rated. When daylight came Capt. Is
rael and the MARY might be far
astern or far ahead, but it made no