The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-05-14
AN OXEYE
SQUALL
B y NJ. @ VA d
Copyright, 1907, by 7. c. Mcclure

The brig Dolphin of Nantucket,
owned and commanded by Captain
Abner Bideford with his wife Mary
on board, was making a voyage from
Boston to Cadiz. The year was 1884.
| There had been peace with England
for 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 at
any time. The pretense was that Eng
fish subjects We're 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 l do be-
lieve that | forgot to fasten the wood
shed door,
Whats that to worry about?" he
/ asked.
Jest as much as your fear that we
may be oyerhauled. Let's wait until
! we see a Britisher bearin' down on us
] before we git dizzy headed"
But Captain Abner had just made his
noon observation when a sail was
i 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 a man-of-war,
] but he had changed his course to meet
that of the brig.
/ Il told you sor exclaimed Captain
Abner to Mary as he pointed to the dis
tant sail
"Ycs. Abner; you did" she replied.
And now he'll board and press two
or three of the men, even though we
haven't got Il half Il one to spare"
WAL, it's no use to give up till we
have to. | should keep right on and
pay no 'tention to him."
There had been a stiff breeze all the
forenoon, and the few clouds driving
overhead had a sQually look to them.
Captain Bideford's first idea had been
to run away; but, realizing this would
provoke curiosity and pursuit, he de-
cided to stand on. AS the craft neared
each other the man-ofwar kept all
fast and seemed about to pass on with
out notice. OF a sudden, however, he
fired solid shot across the briggs bows
and hove into the wind.
THAT means heave to and be board
edr shouted Captain Abner as he pre-
pared to give the necessary orders.
But don't you do anything of the
kindw 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 waterw
Let him bow Abner, you're no
man if you give up licked to a Brit
Usher 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 and
grimly said:
"Abner, if you let that Britisher board
you before he shoots away mast III
not go back home to hear you called
coward"
So the Dolphin held on, though be-
fore she got out of range the shot
spashed water on her deck. She
would have eventually made clear
escape but for loss Of the breeze. When
it died completely out. the two craft
were three miles apart. The man-of-
war promptly lowered Il boat with an
officer and six armed men TO pay
visit
"Waal, you see that boat comm, |
s'pose," said Captain Abner as Mary
stood beside him. IF you hadn't inter
fered, | might have got off without
anybody bein' taken"
"If hadn't interfered you'd have
gone back TO Nantucket to he sncered
at by everybody in town. Jest you
watch and wait 1t looks bad, but
sunthin may turn up"
1 ~ Dodl AallN WI W III l'iiSs ~ = 'ii'AA .
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 BLACKBOARD OF Yam
kee, but why didn't you heaye to when
we fired a gunr
Because we didn't feel like itp' an
swered Captain Bideford, who had all
his GOODNESS now that the crisis was at
hand.
What! What More impudencsf
My turkeycock but you need lesson
In manners. AS a beginning ! order
you to douse that ragt'
81 shall do nothin' of the kind. IL
you want to make prize of this brig,
90 ahead and haul down her flag. II
not, then take yourself off"
"Oh, you won't muster your crow,
ehr sneered the lieutenant at is as
we suspected-too many British de-
serters aboard! Well, I'll soon weed
them out without your help. Here,
you Yankees. muster at the mast!"