The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-28
SATURDAY NOVEMBER %, 1903.

the at the wheel The braces were led along the
decks with the able seamen to supervise each one OF
them that the yards could promptly swung IN any
direction
sound Of sort was made by human being on her
The wind roaring thru the top-hanper tremen,
in the heavy sea. Captain Blakey leaned over the
weather cahead peerng ahead he could pierce the
ness of his gaze Boston who was one of
eyed youngsters the Ship suddenly out between
knight and stood the bowsprt cap cling
ing to the topmastsstay and peering into the night
he cried Instantly .Yonder!A light! ship!
boy spoke in low, fierce tone, audible only to
his commanding officer. ssa E.@
where away cried Blakely, instantly alert
There, sir, to starboard Coming right in our
There, ahead Of them, on such course that she
must their path could be seen the huge
darkness faint light showing forward on her and
the breaking into wheness on her Water-line
Stand by the port battery" the captain called out
instantly turning aft as he spoke But keep all fast
until give the order
English frigate was braced sharp up the
port tack the American soop going free with the wind
the port quarter. Blakely quickly determined to
stand on as he was. he close aboard the
enemy. then up with her helm, throw the Wasp off
couple OF points and slip by her giving her broadside
with his port battery as he did So The Wasp was
enough The English had at last caught sight
Of them They were moving.
Hands by the lee fore-braces." he shouted, sud-
denly. Get hold weather says'l sheet fatten
it aft and bear the sail out to Wndward he cried to
He raised his deep powerful voice to perfect
shout delivered his orders conceament no longer
being any object. Everything in the port battery
readiness Little groups clustered around
the staysa sheets and the fore-braces The two ships
were close aboard now: The English ship was full Of
excitement at last. Wild ncoherent. cries came
family the fierce wind uninelligible yet indica
tive OF surprise and alarm 1t was full stire-the
for the frigate Was the stranger about to them
down thought the English officers. =
up with your helm! Hard up' roared Bakely.
Brace sharp up headsheets
Steady! Stand by the battery! Fret
Z The handy Wasp Wore round on her heel like
top The backness of the night Illuminated for
Of vivid flashes followed by cloud
smoke, blown instantly by the rushing wind,
and deep roar, which died out suddenly under the
scream Of the tempest
At close range the smashing bolts thirty
two FOUNDERS and the shot from long twelves
forecastle played havoc with the English ship The
Wasp rushed by like spirit Of the storm. the noise
and confusion, however, Blakely heard the Of
failing spars ana excited
strain the n1asts and rigging of the
English frgate had given double value to the broadside
of Wasp. Every shot had told. Shrouds and stays
we're. the main topmast OF the rrgate had
frora being total wreck, had been forced to put her
IN a few nom the Wasp had left the cripple out
of sight in. heaving sea. huge
tagonist struck her tremendous blow. and
ished Were it not for the wreck of the main topmas
for gaping rents in the side and for two three
grooming, wounded men upon the deck, and some who
groanl again. the English captain. would
,. almost have believed it a dream.
We've settled that ship" said Blakely, grnly, yet
com placently Mr.. Boston, you saw her hrst You viii
WE'LL sir Mr.. Reilly, tell the that I'm proud of
them. 7 never anything Handsomely done. It
augurs we'll for: the success of cruise Let them
splice brace with round tot
this black night and keep both watches on deck.
but let them lie down by the guns We may
another one" .sEs. 81
Some of the men who had heard this .communica-
ton raised cheer.
"sence" roared the captain, in voice of thun-
der Didn't you hear my order? We may be right
top of another ship Not another sound lrevoke
the order about the. grog.' zs-S:s- ).
The wasp, however, met no other Of the blocRad-
ers Morning broke bright and sunny The look
outs swept the and found not sail in sight The
gale had abated< somewhat, tho it still blowing
fresh B1akey the reefs out the topsai1s
then clapped the topgallan sails. The watch was
called set, and the great cruise of the Wasp was
begun gss.:5Ss
CTos continued.)