The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-07-07
AN OXEYE
SQVALL
3y n. q VA d
Copyright. 1909. BY T. c. Mcclure

The brig Dolphin of Nantucket,
owned and commanded by Captain
Abner Bideford. with his wife Mary
On board, was making q voyage from
Boston to Cadiz. The year was 17S4-
There had been peace with England
for a 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
lish 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 a 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 I do be-
lieve that I forgot to fasten the wood
shed door,"
whats that to worry aboutr' he
| asked.
"Jest as much as your fear that we
may be overhauled. 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
sighted to the eastward. There was a
feeling from the first that she was a
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.
81 told you sou exclaimed Captain
Abner to Mary as he pointed to the dis.
tant sail.
"Yes, Abner; you did" she replied
"And now he'll board and press two
or three of the men, even though we
haven't got a half a one to spare"
"Waal. it's no use to give up till we
have to. l should keep right on and
pay no 'tention to him."
There had been stif breeze all the
forenoon. and the few clouds driving
overhead had a squally look to them
Captain Bideford's first idea had beer
to run away; but, realizing this would
provoke curiosity and pursuit, he de
cided to stand on. AS the craft nearet
each other the man-ofwar kept al
fast and seemed about to pass on with
out notice. OF a sudden. however, ht
fired solid shot across the briggs bow,
and hove into the wind.
II Tl,af 70 ha hnQ r6
edr shouted Captain Abner as he pre-
pared to give the necessary orders.
But don't you do anything of tn
kindr protested Mary. Hes no NOR,
right to stop you than you have to stoI
him"
by Josh. then. but he'll blow us ou
OF waterr'
LET him blowl Abner. you're n
man IL you give up licked to Brit
isher who has bin beaten in war;
The Dolphin held her course. Tn
British captain brought his big Graf
around I'm pursuit and opened fire wit
his bow chasers. When his shot begal
falling about the brig. Captain Abne
and the crew were for bringing her tt
but Mary shut her teeth together an
grimly said:
r "Abner. IL you let that Britisher boar
: you before he shoots away a mast Il
( not go back home to hear you called
D coward"
So the Dolphin held on, though bt
. fore she got out Of range the she
splashed water ON her deck. Sh
would have eventually made clea
, escape but for loss of the breeze. Whe
1t died completely out, the two crai
, were three miles apart The man-o
, war promptly lowered boat with a
officer and six armed men to pay
I | visit.
, "waal. you see that boat comm,
s'pose," said Captain Abner as Mar
. stood beside him. IF you hadn't inte
a fered, might have got OF withor
z anybody bein' taken"
"Ir hadn't interfered, you'd hay