The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-08-10
CHAPTER III.
THE SMASHING or THE BRIG.

shouted Stanhope, who
Immediately caught sight
of 1t.
Grafton Slowed himself about on his
heel and rapidly took in the situation
And FrenchmaH, by heaven!" he
roared. Mo English ship has bows
like that! Break out the stunsls, Mr.
Stanhope, we may need them present
ly."
AT the same instant they were seen
from the ship of the line.
Ship ahoy! What ship is that?''
came up the wind from the French ves'
sell
Wen soon show you" said Graft
on, under his breath. Man the port
battery, lads Jump lively! We must
escape If we cant"
The two ships were sailing at right
angles to each other now, one going
free and the other Just coming by the
wind on the port tack. They were so
near each other that the men clustered
forward OH the top-gallant forecastle
of the French ship could easily be
made out. The fog was going as If by
magic.
Stand by" roared Grafton. as they
passed squarely across the French
mans bow. Fret
The eight six-pounders on the port
side of The brig saluted the liner with
an inpudent broadside. a
well done, my boys. Now then.
hard up with the helm," shouted
Grafton Hands by the weather
braces! Flow the spanker-sheets!
Lively, lads"
Before the men on the ship of the
line had recovered from the astonish-
ment inspired by Grafton's audacity,
the Boxer swung around and ran of
free, again heading toward Ushant.
For a few moments there was no little
confusion on the French ship Her
jib-stay had been cut, the sail unsGp-
ported was dragging in the water.
Rents appeared in the foresail, and
parted shrouds here and there showed
that the well-aimed discharge had
done good service, although ii had no
effect on the heavy scantling and tim.
bers of the liner. But no material
damage. of course. had been or could
be effected by the six-pound guns of n
little 300-ton brig against French a.
Still, the confusion consequent upon
her intrepid attack enabled the brig
to gain considerable lead. II was
necessary for him to get some distance
away from his pursuer before Grafton
could come by the wind again, in or
der TO weather the western point OF
ushant; which, to anticipate, he pres
emily succeeded in doing.
In a short time, however-painfully
short for the pursued-the liner, eriu-
lating the movements of the English
cruiser. got the wind on her quarter
and commenced bowling along after
the brig. Her nimble crew had set
sail after sail on her lofty spars, and
she swept along In the bright sunny
morning a towering and splendid pic
lure of sea power and sea beauty. She
had been wonderfully we'll handled for
n Frenchman. and the evolutions were
as smartly done as they could have
been by crack English crew-thsn
the best sailors in the world. And as
the English brig, having run free as
long as she dared, at last bore up her
gigantic pursuer promptly did the
same
They may talk as they please about
the frog-eaters not being seamen."
said Grafton to the young officers con-
grcgated about him on the quarter
deck: the man that handles that ship
doesn't need TO take lessons from any
body. Wheel. there, Edge up into the
wind. will YOU? See how she follows
us. gentlemen She gains on us hand
over ist, See how she comes down
Bring up the dispatches, Mr.. Stan
hope. and have them ready to heave
overheard: they mustn't get them IL
we are captured, All, They're giving
Us taste Of their metal at last. Steady
now keep her up to IT! Luff her
hard"
AS he spoke the line-of- battle ship
Suddenly waved, a puff of smoke
broke out forward as her bow-chaser
bore and shot from 32-pounder
came hurting through the air at the
brig. Fortunately il missed her.
Shall we make any reply. sir?"
asked Stanhope. u
Nonsense" replied Grafton. We
haven't a gun on board that could
carry half the distance. No. hold on
as We are. don't think she'll fire
again. she's overhauling US SO rapid |
ly that there is no use of their damag
ing their prize
They watched the chasing ship care
fully for a few moments in gloomy ST.
lence. There was no escape for them
apparently.
Now. | have an idea" burst out
Grafton at last. IF ii fails. guess we