River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-11-28
THE TRADERS THAT WHIPPED
THE N-0'WAR.
BY NJ. Quad &C. B. Lewis. J
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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 il, 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
lchabod 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 Iehabod. I am man of
peace. who goes his own way and
wants no quarrel"
so m L." replied Ichabod, as he put
down the hammer he had been using
in the cabin.
''We are like to be oyerhauled by
the British and French both and. as
we know, there are pirates still on
me high seas. Speakin' without heat
and in brotherIy way, / am not goin
to be a worm of the dust"
If you amt then 1 amt" said
Ichabod, as he looked up for the first
time
We are 10 finish our cargoes in
Boston and have been thinkin nav.
lchahod, ] have concluded to mount
j Long Tom on the deck Of the
Mary. l VIII also provide powder.
shot and she'll, and if any enemy seeks
"a overhaul me | e I'M let ay at him in
hopes to do him injury"
And by gum | 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
sere purchased and mounted There
were those who laughed and sncered
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 cut an idea which was shortly
to make the humble briggs more ia
nous for time than the old Con
NhAh'''Nli tltA NtAA- rs bblU were
bound for the same port across the
seas. they finished loading at about
the same time and got away together.
anth briggs had been built on the lines
"1 priyateers ana were well manned,
aud they had not been three DAYS at
sea when Capt Israel said to his
mate:
Joshua, speallin as a sailor might
ard without undue boastin', lemme
say that our craft can sail around the
na,ies of England ana France as a
colt gallops around a hay-stacll."
And in that same hour Ichubod
hea1cd the log, looked at the record
and rubbing his big hands together
he said to his mate:
",icptha, by gum and 10y thunder
but this brig has got wings and /,
olerhanliu' the sea gullS! I'm almost
s'rry vrsbrought THAT cannon, for
helieye that Ne can outrun anythin
lat sails lca,iu' out brother lsracli
clipper"
tor ten days the briggs ran alm,,s
~ile by side Then In 10 strong >qual
and q dark night they became sepu
rated When daylight came Capt. Is
ras ami the Mary" might be "a
as,ern or fl. ahead, but it made az