Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-08-02
NUMBER 81.

purpose OF delay. The remaining snp.
the largest Of them all. stood bo, .ly
OIL lis original course.
This latter, 1t was plain 10 see. WA
small frigate. possibly twenty-ei;ht
ar a thirty-two. Taking into account
the respective rates Of speed. the sr!g-
ate. whose course made slight al lie
with that Of the ship Of the lane, would
probably cross the bows Of the latter
within range Of her battery. None Of
the opposing vessels showed any fags
as yet, and their movements complete
ly mystified Captain Vincent.
Certainly a most extraordinary per-
formance going on there!' he said, aft
er long look through his glass, which
he then handed to the colonel. "Tliey
show no flags, but | cannot conct We
Of their being anything but squadron
or convoy Of ours. What do You
make them out, Colonel Wilton
Now. the colonel was mortally cer-
tain that they were Americans. or, at
an American ship. He had been one
Of the naval committee which had
taken charge OF the building Of the
men Of war ordered by congress in 10;
he had seen the Randolph frequently
on the ways and after she was launch
ed, and was entirely familiar with her
lines. Perhaps the wish also was IA
ther to the thought. for the old soldier
was not sufficiently versed in nautical
affairs to detect at that distance the
great disparity in force between the
two ships. 10 which for the moment
he gave no thought. or he would not
have entertained hopes for release
from confinement by recapture-a pat
ent impossibility 10 seaman. So he
answered the captain evasively. re-
turning the glass and pleading his igno-
rance OF nautical matters to excuse his
indefinite opinion.
1T must be- the Carrysford. with
Hythe's squadron; she Is thirty-two.
But why they should act this way |.
cannot see. He must know what We
are now, as there are no ships OF our
size in these waters except our OWL,
and why should he send the rest Uf
them oil there! They are leaving Us
pretty fast. except that brig. Now. II
it We're colonial convoy should say
that this frigate was going To engage
us in the hope Of SO crippling us as -
effect the escape of the rest; but l
hardly think that your men are up 10
that yet"
Think not:" said the colonel In.
differently, violently reprcssing an in
clination To strike him. 1T may be as
you say, Captain Vincent: still, think
we are up TO almost anything that you
are
"Oh. colonel" laughed the captain
good natlIrediy. you are not going
10 compare the little colonial forces
with his majesty's navy. are you?
Now. am morally certain that is Il
kings ship. See the beautiful set OF
her sails, the enormous spread of the
yards: notice how trim and taut her
rigging and running gear stand out,
and then. too. see how smartly she Is
handled. Only English ships are thus.
Hythe is Il sailor, every inch OF him.
he went OH in genuine admiration for
the approaching vessel. See. lie has
the weather gauge Of us now, or Will
have. Not that it matters anything.
~. t,t h., mn
if he were an enemy. But what he
means by this sort OF performance
don't understand However, we shall
know in half an hour at least
We'll. sir:' he said. turning toward
Lieutenant Desborough, who ut that
moment stepped OH the poop In fight
ing uniform. sword in hand.
ships ready for action. sir
Very good. Keep the people at
their quarters and stand on rs we are.
What do you think of her. Desbor-
ough:"
I'VE think she is an American, sir.
said Desborough.
"Oh, you do. do you? Well. l think
she is one OF ours. No American would
dare to lead down Oh us in that way!
We can blow him out Of the water
with a broadside or two, you know,
but we'll give him hint all the same.
Fire gun there to leeward and hoist
our colors."
As the smoke rolled away along the
u,tor rho stops were broken and there
flew out from each masthead the
splendid English flag. 1t was answer
ed soon afterward by small English
flag at the gaff Of the approaching
ship. which apparently mystified the
captain more than ever. though II con-
Arma.l him IN his nrovinus cninion