Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1901-12-26
THE TRADERS THAT WHIPPED
THE MAN-0'WAR.
BY M. Quad &c. B. Lewis.)

u Jill WNU-U WALL
BY M. Quad &c. B. Lewis.) :
s+e<s<s<s%s<s<s<s%s<e*s%s<
TT was bad enough that the Brit
/ 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-
yateers. 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 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, I am man of
Zee, who goes his own way and
ITS no quarrel"
ESQ IN l." replied Ichabod, as he put
own the hammer he had been using
IN the cabin.
n $"We are like to be overhauled by
the British and French both and, as
we, know, there are pirates still on
liz high seas. Speakin' without heat
in brotherly way, I am not goin'
e worm of the dust"
" you amt then I amt" said
<Hood, as he looked up for the first
WE are to finish our cargoes in
b.Sston, and have been thinlSin'-nay,
Ichabod, have concluded-to mount
q Long Tom on the deck of the
Mary I will also provide powder,
shot and shell, and if any enemy seeks
to overhaul me will let fly at him in
hopes to do him injury"
"And by gum I will do the same!"
exclaimed Ichabod with commendable
spirit as he resumed his work.
In due time the "Mary" and "Su.
san" reached Boston, and the guns
we're purchased and mounted. There
were those who laughed and sneered
at the idea, asking what a 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 Soon
stitGtion" herself. AS both were
bound for the same port across the
seas, they finished loading at about
the same time and got away together
both briggs had been built on the lines
OIL privateers and were we'll manned
and they had not been three days at
sea when Capt. Israel said to his
mate:
"Joshua, speakin' as a sailor might
and without undue boastin', femme
say that our craft can sail around the
navies of England and France as a
colt gallops around hay-stacls."
Il And in that same hour Ichabod
;heaved 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
sorry we brought that cannon, for
believe that we can outrun anythin
that sails, leavin' out brother Israers
clipper
For ten days. the briggs ran almos
side by side. Then in a strong squal
and dark night they became sepa
rated. When daylight came Capt. Is
rael' and the 'Mary" might be fa1
astern or far ahead, but it made nj
great difference. AS a matter of fac
he was so miles ahead. The squal
had let go of him the soonest, and h
had piled on the canvas under favor
ing breeze and cracked ahead. Will
fair weather he had reached a poin
within 100 miles of his port when thu
wind fell and he ran into fog. Aft
er several hours of slowly forging
ahead the fog lifted to find the 'Su
san" under the guns of Frencl
frigate. Even had there been a capfu
of winu there would have been no sail
ing away. The edict had been issued
and the friSate was out looking fol