Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1903-06-05
AN OXEYE
SQUALL
BY NJ. q VA ID
COPYRIGHT. 1909. bp 4. C. Mcclure


The brig Dolphin of Nantucket,
owned and commanded by Captain
Abner Bideford, with his wife Mary
on board. was making voyage from
Boston to Cadiz The year was 1IS4.
There had been peace with England
tor year. but in granting the colonies
their independence the mother country
had insisted on the right TO search any
American vessel in any water and ar
any time. The pretense was that Eng
lsh subjects were continually desert
ing his majesty's service and shipping
on American craft. 1t was therefore
Captain Bideford's plan to keep clear
Of any armed vessel flying the British
flag. He had crew OF Nantucket
men. every one OF whom had served in
the cause OF liberty. and he began
worrying about what might happen
before he was 200 miles at sea. His
wife saw that he was disturbed, and
she said:
"Abner when we left home | do be-
lieve that | forgot to fasten the wood
shed door"
whats that to worry about| he
asked.
"Jest as much rs your fear that we
may be overhauled. Let's wait until
we see a Britisher bearin' down on us
But Captain Abner had just made his
noon observation when a sail was
sighted to the eastward. There was a
feeling from the first that she was
British man-Of-war. Half an hour
later all doubts were dispelled. The
stranger was not only q man of-war
but he had changed his course To meet
that of the brig.
Il told you SOL" exclaimed Captain
Abner to Mary as he pointed TO the dis
tant sail.
Eyes. Abner; you did" she replied.
"And now he'll board and press two
or three of the men, even though we
haven't got half a one to spare"
"Waal, it's no use to give up till we
have to. | should keep right on and
pay no 'teution TO him"
There had been stiff breeze all the
forenoon. and the few clouds driving
overhead had a squally look 10 them.
Captain Bideford's first idea had been
TO run away; but. realizing this would
provoke curiosity and pursuit he de
cidcd 10 stand on. AS the craft neared
each other the man-Of-war kept al
fast and seemed about TO pass on with
out notice. OF a sudden, however. he
fired a solid shot across the brig : bows
and hove into the wind.
THAT means heaye TO and be board
ed" shouted Captain Abner as he pre-
pared TO give the necessary orders.
But don't you do anything Of the
kind" protested Mary. Hes no more
right to stop you than you have to stop
him"
by Josh, then, but he'll blow us out
Of water
Let him blow! Abner, you're no
man if You give mp licked to a Brit
isher who has bin beaten in war.
The Dolphin held her course. The
British captain brought his big craft
around in pursuit and opened fire with
his bow chasers. When his shot began
falling about the brig. Captain Abner
and the crew were for bringing her To,
but Mary shut her teeth together ana
grimly said:
"Abner. If you let that Britisher board
Won before he shoots away mast u
not 90 back home TO hear you called Il
coward
So the Dolphin held on. though he
fore she got out of range the shot
smashed water on her deck. She
would have eventually made a clear
escape but for loss of the breeze. When
II died completely out. the two craft
were three miles apart. The man-of-
war promptly lowered boat with an
officer and six armed men to pay
visit
WAL, you see that boat comm,
s'posc." said Captain Abner as Mary
stood beside him. IF you hadn't inter
fered. might have got of without
anybody bein' taken
"If [ hadn't interfered. you'd have
gone back to Nantucket TO be sneered
at by everybody in town. Jest you
| watch and wait. 1t looks bad, but
sunthin' may turn up"
The boat came on with long, regular
strokes and in half an hour was along
side the brig. The lieutenant in charge
came over the rail, followed by three
marines with loaded muskets. He had
hardly touched the deck when he sang
| out:
You impudent blackguard of Yam
kee. but why didn't you heave to when
we fired a gunT
Because we didn't feel like it!' an
swered Captain Bideford, who had all
his GOODNESS now that the crisis was at
| hand.
WHAT What. More impudence
My turkeycock, but you need lesson
| I'm manners. AS beginning l order
! YOU TO douse that rag!'
81 shall do nothin' Of the kind. III
you want to make prize OF TINS Orig
90 ahead and haul down her flag. III
Do You Enjoy What you Eatf