The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-08-31

0Aao " CAS0 ~ Lille Bl ilSdIG, dull SOOWQ
ahead. The corvet, a half mile away.
perhaps, responded Immediately and,
wearing short round, came to on the
other tack and headed for the last Of
the line, beating to quarters the while.
All the lanterns Of the Ranger were
again extnguished and the men sent
quietly to their quarters, with the
strictest injunchons not to make
sound or fire gun until ordered under
pain Of death. Every other prepara-
ton had long since been made for ac-
ton, so the officers slipped on their
boarding caps, loosened their swords
In their sheaths and looked to the
printing of their pistols; then, receiving
their final commands, departed quietly
to their several stations Simpson, now
occupying the position Of first lieuten-
ant vacated by Seymour, having charge
OF the batteries, and Wallingford, on
deck with the captain, in command Of
the sail trimmers, who were clustered
about the masts, the sloop being still
heavily manned.
"Man the starboard battery" said the
captain in a low but distinct voice.
Men, we've got our work cut out for
us tonight. No cheering until the first
shot is fred, and no firing till give the
order, and then, all together, give it to
them. Do you understands"
A chorus Of subdued AYE, ayes,' in.
dicated that the orders were heard.
mir. Wallingford, do you stand ready
to back the main topsail when she is
| alongside, though if she attempts to
pass in front of us We'll up helm and
take her on the port side. Two of you
afterguards go below and bring up the
captain of the Mellish. Lively! We
shall soon have the sloop down on u.s."
In a few moments the unfortunate
British skipper was standing on the
poop deck beside Captain Jones.
"Now, my man, you are the master
of the Mellish, are you not?''
Il was few moments ago." replied
the man sullenly.
'Well, you are t. stand right here
and answer halls just as tell you. Do
you understand"
Eyes"
WILLIAMS, you and another hold him,
and if he hesitates to answer, or an
swers other than I tell him, blow his
brains out. Now we have nothing to do
but wait. Keep her a good full at the
helm there"
AYE, aye, STRIP replied the veteran
quartermaster, stationed at the con.
Meanwhile the Juno had come abeam
Of the vessel next ahead Of the Ranger
and the conversation which followed
was as plainly audible in the latter
ship as had been the beating to quar-
tiers just after she wore.
providence ahoy therey' came from
the Juno. what is the matter? What
are you burning blue lights for?''
Nothing is the matter with us, sir,
but we heard pistol shots and cries on
the Mellish astern and thought we
saw two ships instead of one. It's so
beastly black tonight we couldn't
make out anything very well.'
"Au right; better keep off a little,
out of the way. I will run down and
see what's wrong"
The present course of the Juno would
have brought her across the bows of
the Ranger, but the ships were near
ing so rapidly that a collision would
have resulted, SO the Juno was kept
away a little and soon ran down on
the lee bow Of the Ranger. The two
ships were thus placed side by side,
the Ranger on the port tack having the
advantage Of the weather gauge of the
Juno, which had the wind free, an adj
vantage the captain Of the English
ship would never have yielded with
out an effort had he imagined the
character of the ship opposite him.
The battle lanterns Of the Juno were
lighted, the ports triced up, and she
presented brilliant picture Of a gal
liant ship ready for action. The
Ranger, black as the night and silent
as death, could barely be discerned in
dim outline from the Juno.
"Mellish ahoyv'
'Ahoy, the Juno"'
"What's wrong on board of you?'
Nothing, sir!'
"Pistol shots and screams were
heard by the ship ahead! But who
halls? Where is Captain Brent"
"Apswer himv' Kissed Jones in the
ear Of the British captain. ."Tell him
there were some drunken soldiers of
the hfghlanders in a row! Speak out,
man" he continued threateningly.
"Why don't you answer?' came from
the Juno. II shall send boat aboard.
Call away the first CUTTER" the voice
continued. But the British seaman
on the Rangers deck was made of
sterner stuff than the other. By vio-
lent and unexpected movement he
wrenched his arm free from the grasp
of one Of the men, struck the other
heavily in the chest, and before any
one could seize him he leaped upon
the rail, shouting loudly: ''Treachery!
You are betrayed! This is Yankee
pirate! Then he sprang into the wa
ter between the two ships. Williams
raised his pistol.
LET him co. cried Jones. "He IS
brave fellow" Then, lifting his