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

years. Even Seymour himself, though
uow a commodore or flag officer by
courtesy, was very young for the posi-
ton, and Governor Rutledge, moved by
warm friendship Of long standing for
Did Colonel Wilton and upon Sey-
mour's own urgent recommendation,
had intrus;ed the smallest vessel to
young Captain Philip. We shall see
how he showed himself worthy of the
trust reposed in him in spite Of his
tender years.
Forward on the forecastle old Bent
!ey was planted. surrounded by such of
the older and more experienced petty
ui:icers and men as he permitted to as
sOciate with him on terms Of more or
less familiarity. Not only the position
,.e occupied. that of boatswain of the
fri3a;e. save him vast Importance
With tie men. but his age and expert
,nce. his long association with the cap
u,
tales of his familiar compaIionShip
with cert2in men Of awe inspiring
name and great renOwn. with various
mighty feats of arms in recent CAM
paigns. vaguely current, conduced to
make him the monarch Of the forecas-
tie and the arbiter Of the various dis
cussions and arguments among the
men. who rarely ventured to dispute
the dictum of their oracle.
well. here we are pointing out
again, thank the Lord" he said to his
particular friend and crony among the
crew, the carpenter. Richard Spicer,
battered old shellback, like himself.
There is only one place from which l
like to see the land, Richard"
"And where is that, bos'un"
"Over the stern, as now, mate. when
we're gong riee wlth Iair wind ana
leaving it fast behind. feel safer
then"
Six rather uneventful days passed
by. during which prizes to the number
of five fell to the lot Of the squadron,
one loaded with military stores and
another with provisions Of great value.
The lively little Fair American. being
far to windward Of the fleet. had also
smart action with heavily armed
British privateer, which struck her flag
before the others could get within
range and was found to be loaded with
valuable portable goods. the siftings
Of Il long and successful cruise. Young
Wilton had maneuvered and fought
his ship well and had been publicly
complmented in general orders by Sey-
mour for skill and gallantry. The feet
had been exercised in signals and In
various simple evOlutions, the weather
was most pleasant. the men in excel
lent spirits, and all that was neces-
sary to complete their happiness was
the appearance Of the looked for squad
ron of the enemy. The eager lookouts
swept the seas unweariedly, but in
vain, until early in the afternoon OF
the sixth day. the fleet being in lonSi-
tude 5S degrees IS minutes west. lati'
tude IL degrees 30 minutes north, about
forty leagues east Of Martinique, head
ing due west OH the starboard tack, 1t
was reported to Seymour, who was
reading in the cabin. that the Fair
American, again far in the lead and
somewhat to windward. had signaled
n large sail ahead. A short time should
make her visible If the vessels contin-
ued on the present course. and after
having called his fleet about him by
signal Seymour stood Oh for nearer
look mt the stranger. An hour later
she was visible from the deck Of the
Randolph. a very large ship, evidently
man-of-war under easy sail. The
careful watchers could count three
tiers Of guns through the glass. which
proclaimed her a ship of the line. Sey-
mour at once formed desperate reso-
luton. Signaling to the four state
cruisers and the six prizes to tack to
the northeast. escape II possible and
afterward make the best Of their way
back to Charleston, he himself stood
OH with the little Randolph to engage
the mighty stranger.
In few moments the familiar tones
of Bentley's powerful voice, seconded
by the CHEEKY calls Of his mates, rang
through the frlgate:
"All hands clear ship for action.
Ahoyw
The piercing whistling Of the pipes
which followed was soon drowned by
the steady and stirring roll Of the
drums. accompanied by the shrill notes
of the flies, beating to quarters.