Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-16

~Ac SAOV Cl Ae ONCi thAS S'NSsb 0OCNo'
1t was all as clean as puritan par.
lor.
Captain" said he. ''tie yourself to
that big bow gun. 1t s the modern
sling of David. only its pebble ts
big as a rock Learn how to handle it,
and you may take fling at the Brit
ish some day"
He put Dri in my squad, as re.
quested, leaving me with the gunners.
l went to work at once, and knew
shortly how to handle tho big machine,
Dri and | convinced the captain with
no difficulty that we were fit for q
fight so soon as it might come.
1t came sooner than we expected.
The cry Of sail ho." woke me early
one morning. 1t vas the 10th of Sep
tember The enemy was coming. Sails
were sticning out Of the misty dawn
q few niles away. In moment our
decks were black and noisy with the
hundred and two that manned the ves'
sci. 1t was every hand 10 rope and
windlass then. Sails went up with a
snap all around us. and the creak or
of blocks sounded far and near. In IL
minutes we were under way, lead
ing the van to battle. The sun came
up, lighting the great towers OF can
vas. Every vessel was now feeling for
the wind, some with oars and sweeps to
aid them. A light breeze came out
OF the southwesl. Perry stood near
me, his hat in his hand. He was look
ing back at the Niagara.
Run to the leewai | of the islands,
said he to the saling-master.
Then you II have to fight to the
leeward," said the latter
Don't care. So long as we fight
said Perry. "Windward or lceward, We
want to fight"
Then came the signal to change our
course. Tho wind shifting to the south
east. We were all able to clear the is
cloud came over he sun; far away the
mist thickened. Tho enemy wallowed
to the topsails, and went out of
sight. We had lost the wind. Our
sails went limp flag and pen"ant hung
lifeless. a sligh rain drizzled down,
breaking the smooth plane of water
into bubbles. Perry stood Out in the
drizzle as We lay waiting. All eyes
were turning to the sky and to Perry.
He had look OF worry and disgust.
He was out for quarrel. though the
surgeon said be- was in more need
80 /. NJ ., n a
as we'll as that OF war. He stood there.
tall and handsone in loose jacket
of blue nankeen. with no sign of weak
ness in him, his eyes flashing as he
looked at the Sky.
D'ri and stood in the squad at the
how gun. D'ri was wearing an old
straw hat: his flannel shirt was open
at the collar.
ship STAINS lux an OF cow chawin,
'er cud.' said he, looking off at the
weather. They S a win comm over
there. 1t II give 'er slap n tn
side purity soon, mebbe Then she
II switch er tail n go on bout 'er
business"
In a moment We heard roaring
cheer back amidships. Perry had come
up tho companionway with his blue
battle flag. He held it before him at
arm 's-length, could see part Of
it's legend. in white letters, Don't give
up the ship.'
My brave lads he shouted, shall
we hoist it,
Our SAY. ay' sir" could have been
heard mile away. and the flag rose
above tossing hats and bowling voices
to the mainroyalmast head.
The wind came, we could hear the
sails snap and stifen as It overhaulef
the fleet behind us. In a jiffy it hunted
our own hulis and canvas, and again WI
began to plough the water. 1t grew
into a smart breeze, and scattered thu
feet of clouds that lowered over us
The rain passed; sunlight sparkled OF
the ripping plain of water. We coult
see the enemy; he had hove to, ant
was waiting for Us in line. A crow
was gathering on the high shores WI
had left to see he battle. We wer'
we'll in advance crowding our canva!
in a good breeze. | could hear Onl!
the roaring burrows OF water on cacl
side OF the prov. Every man or u
held his tongue, mentally trimming
ship. as they say for whatever nigh
come. Three men scuffed by. sanding
the decks. D'ri was leaning placid.
over the big gun. He looked of at tn
white line squinted knowingly, am
spat over the bulwarks. Then h
Strengthened up, fitting his hat to nj
right ear.
They're pintin' their guns sal
swabber.
"Fust they know they'll git spit on,
said Dri, calmly.
Well, for two hours it was al
creeping and talking under tn
breath. and here and there al
oath. as some nervous chap tightene
the ropes Of his resolution. Then sud
denly. as we swung about murmu
went up and down the deck. We coul
see with our naked eyes the men VIII
were to give us battle. Perry shoute
sternly to some gunners who though
1t high time to fire Then word came
there would be no firing until We &c
} close. Little gusts of music came chas
Ing over the water faint-fOoted to on
decks-a band playing Rule Britain
MA" l was looking at brig in til
} line of the enemy when bolt of fir
, leaped out of her and thick belches {
smoke rushed To her tOpsailS. The