Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-06-27
MT. Seymour. and heave too

"Ah, Sir Jamesr he commenced, talk ing off his hat "How do you do? How dark you are! Why, what's all thisY' he exclaimed in surprise and terror as he made out the strange uni forms in the dim light. He hesitated a moment and then stepped back hasti- ly to the gangway, lifting his hand,
 Seize htmg' cried stern voice. Shoot him if he makes q soundgS, N The captain of the unlucky schooner was soon dragged, struggling and as-s tonished, to the break of the poop.
 "Oh, Sir James, what is the meaning of this outrage, sir, on British ship master? I shall report
 Silence, sir! This is the American Continental ship Ranger, and you arc prisoner" replied the same voice. Answer my questions now at once. Your life depends on 1t. What are these ships to leeward ?"
 Sixteen merchantmen, from London to Halifax, under convoy of two men of-war, sir.''
 "And what are they?'
 "The Acasta, thirty six, and the Juno, twenty-two, sir.''
 "very good. Is the transport Mellish among them2''
 The man made no reply. Answer me. ]"
 "Ye-yes, sir"
 (Which is she?''
 "Oh, sir, I can't tell you that, sir. She is the most valuable ship of them all" he said Intentionally.
 "You have got to tell me, my man. If you ever want to see daylight again. Which is she?''
 ''No, sir, can't tell you," he replied obstinately.
 Put the muzzle of your pistol to his forehead, Williams, and if he does not answer by the time count ten pull the trigger. One, two, three, four
 Mercy. mercyy' cried the frightened skipper as he felt the cold barrel of the pistol pressed against his temple.
 Flight, nine'- went on the voice in the darkness imperturbably.
 "I'll tell I'll tell"
 'Ah, I thought so! Which one Is she?"
 ''The last one, sir"
 "And the Juno?"
 ''The fourth from the rear. The frigate's the first one, sir" he volun- teered. "Oh. don't kill me, gentlemen" ]"
 Have you told me the truth, sirrah !? Williams, keep your pistol there.' "Oh, sir, yes; so help me. Oh, gen. tlemen, for Gods sake, don't murder me. I've a wife and"-- Peace, you fooll We won't hurt you if you've told the truth. You shall even be released presently and have l your schooner again. We de&t want her. But If you have lied to me you shall hang from that yardarm in the l morning as sure as my name is John 1 Paul Jonesl''
 "Oh, Lordv said the now thoroughly l frightened man, looking up and meet | ing the gaze of two eyes which gleamed l in the dim light from the deck above him. i've told you the truth, sir.''
 ''Very well; go call your boats crew on deck Stand by to capture them as soon as they reach the gangway, some of you, then stow them all below. Let their boat tow astern. And when that's done, you, sir, hall your schooner and tell her to heave to until your return. Say just what tell you to and nothing more. The pistol at your head is loaded still. Watch him carefully, men, and then send him below with the rest. I Fill away again, MT. Seymour"
 Th& ponderous yards were swung, and the Ranger soon gathered way again and rapidly oyerhauled the last of the fleet. The first trick had worked so well that it was worth trying again. AS soon as she drew near the doomed ship she showed lights like those of the frigate and sloop of war. Ranging alongside the weather quarter of the transport, the captain again hailed:
 Ship ahoy!'
 "Ahoy, what ship is that7"
 Again the same deluding reply:
 'sHis Britannia majesty's sloop of war Southampton, Captain Sir James Yeo. What ship is that?"
 'The transport Mellish."
 Every well; you are the one we want. have a message for you. The Yan- kees are about, and the admiral has sent us to look up the convoy. Where is the Acasta?
 "In the van, Sir James, about two leagues ahead. The corvet is about a mile forward there, sir.''
 J"Very good Heave to and send a l boat aboard and get your orders. Look sharp now. must speak the corvet and the frigate as we'll"
 "Aye, aye, sirf" replied the English man as his main yard was promptly l swung.
 Immediately the Ranger was hove to as well, and on her weather side, which was that away from the trans 1 port, two we'll manned boats, their crews heavily armed, one command ed by Seymour, who had Talbot with him, and the other by Philip Wilton, accompanied by Bentley, had been si- l lently lowered into the water and were pulling around the Ranger with muf5ed oars, making large detour