Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-05
NUMBER 27.

.on,e of ,liv Get:...s OF tie capture or
.le transport. How IVES it: You. MT.
seymour. are the 81 ilor OF the party.
DO you tell us about it,"
Then I'm that rude farmhouse among
the hills OIL that bitter winter day
Seymour told the story Of the sighting
of the convoy and the ruse by which
the capture of the two ships had been
effected, at which General Washington
laughed heartily. Then he described
graphic, seamanlike way the won
derful night action, the capture Of the
Juno by the heroic captain Of the Ran
ger. the successful escape Of that ship
from the frigate and the sinking Of the
Juno. He was interrupted from time
to time by exclamatiOns and deep
gasps Of excitement from the officers
crowding about him. Even Billy. bring
ing the dinner. put II down unheeded
and listened with eyes glisteninS. And
then Seymour delivered Jones' mes
sage to Genaral Washington.
Wonderful man, wonderful man!'
he said. 1--WE shall hear Of him,
think, in the English channel, and the
English also, which is more to the
point. But your own ship-had you an
eventless passage. Mr.. Seymour? And,
gentlemen. You look as solemn as II
you We're the bearers of bad news In
stead Of good tidings, or had been re-
treating with us for the past six
months Thank goodness. that's about
over tonight. Fill your glasses. gentle
men. 'Tis Christmas day. Now for
your own story. Did you meet IN ene-
my's ship
I'VE did, sir Talbot. you tell the
story"
mo. no: cannot. 'Tis your part,
Seymour"
Here In the presence Of friends. and
friends who knew and loved Colonel
Wilton and his daughter, neither OF
the young men felt equal to the tale.
Each day brought home to them their
bitter sorrow more powerfully than
before. and each hour but deepened
the anguish In their hearts.
"Why, what is this? What has hap
pened? The transport Is safe, you
said" continued the general in some
anxiety. What is itY
81 can oil. if your honor pleases,
SIR" said the deep voice of Bentley.
Speak man-speak"'
1T happened this way. sir We were
off Cape Cod, heading northwest 10y
west for Boston. about week ago.
close hauled on the starboard tack in
a half gale of wind. Your honor knows
what the starboard tack is:'
Yes. yes. certainly: go on
when about three bells in the after
noon watch-your honor knows what
three bells Aye. aye, sir" continued
the seaman. noting the generals impu-
tient nod. We'll. sir. We Spied 4 large
sail coming down Oh Us fast. We ran
OFF free. she following. Pretty soon we
made her out Il frigate. Il heavy frigate
Of thirty-SiN guns, and fast one, TOO,
for she rapidly overhauled us. We
cracked on sail. even setting the top
mast stuns;iil. till il blew away. Then
we cut away bulwarks and rails, Hat
tened the sails by jiggers Oh the sheets
and halyarls until they set like boards.
pumped her out. cut adrift the boats,
cut away anchors, but ii wasn't any
use; she kept a-gaining Oh us. BY and
by we came to Georges shoal, extend
ing about three leagues across our
course TO the southeast OF Cape Coz.
There is pass through the shoai.
Lieutenant Seymour knows II; we sur
yeycd il this last summer. We brought
the ship TO on the wind on the same
tack again. near the shoal. and ran
for the mouth Of the pass. The frigate
edged off 10 run us down. Lieutenant
Talbot broke out Il tieldpiece from the
hold and mounted II as stern chaser.
and used il too
Good. Well done" said the general,
nodding approvingly. Go on.
I'VE came 10 the mouth OF the pass.
The frigate fired II broadside. one
shot carried away the mizzen topgal-
liant mast: another sent shower or
splinters inboard. killing the man ut
the wheel. Tie ship falls of and en-
ters the pass. | seize the helm. Mr.
Seymour conned us through. The
frigate chased madly after us. She
sees the breakers; she can't follow us,
draws too much water. She makes an
effort to back Off. 1t is too late; she
strikes. The wind rises TO heavy
gale. We see her go to pieces. ana
never soul left to tell the story, never
plank Of her that hangs together
She's gone, and we go free. That's all,
your honor, and may God have mercy
on their souls. say l." added the sol
emn voice OF the boatswain in the 81
lence.