Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-12-31

had barely reached the Petrol when she
went down, carrying a number of wound
ed with her. The rest We're brought back
to the frigate amid the loud outlaws of
her officers and men. 1t was a huge sea
joke, this. the capture of that saucy prl-
vateer in this way. Unfortunately, while
the petrers men could not fail to see the
point. the humor if it did not especially
appeal to them.
The discounted Confederates who were
passed over the side of the frigate were
not the only prize, however. The only
member of the st. Lawrence's crew who
suffered any hardship in the battle was
Lieutenant Thomas Beekman Smith, who
had got away in the first boat dispatched
to succor the sinking Confederate priva-
teersmen. Just as he reached the Pet
rel one of her officers dared across the
deck and threw something overheard.
Smith could swim like a fish. AS the
object flew through the air past his head
he saw that it was mail bag. Too late
10 stop the man, he promptly dived for it,
and by great good fortune caught it as it
sank below the surface of the water. \
dripping but triumphant figure. he hand
.
way. then went below to the ward room
to change his clothes.
The mail bag was a treasure trove, in
deed Shortly afterwards Lieutent Smith
was called to the cabin, where old Com
modore Pauldng sat in consultation with
his secretary. There was an open letter
spread out on the table before him.
Mr.. Smith" he began formally, your
quickness of thought and promptness of
action. which desire 10 commend, have
done us a great service
Thank you, sir
II have examined the letters taken
from the mail bag Most of them are per-
sonal and appear to be unimportant. This
! one, however. is of great interest. 1t
| appears that there is a new and formid-
able Confederate privateer being outfitted
and prepared for cruising at Jones
Wharf, wherever that may be-
II know about where it is sir volun-
teered Mr.. Smith.
Hey. what" exclaimed the Commo-
dore Have you been in these waters
before. SIR
mo, sir but it is on one of those estu.
aries opening off Pamlico sound between
the Neuse and the Pamico rivers, and is
the private property of Major William
Henry Jones, formerly of the United
States army"
Exactly true" said the commodore.
looking at the letter again. That's the
man. DO you know him.
II did, SIR, before the war. He was
then ma jor of artillery and was station
ed for some time at Governors Island.
He" Smith hesitated
We'll. sirf" interrogated the commo-
dore impatently
'Ile-he d-a-daughter, sir"
"Oh, l see," smiled the old man. well,
he has a privateer now. What was his
daughters name:'
Ellen. sir"
That's the name of his privateer.
gather from this letter that she's all ready
but her armament. This is to be brought
to her from the Bahamas by the block
ade-runner Greyhound. This schooner we
have just sunk was to lie off the mouth of
the inlet and pilot the Greyhound in.
This letter is one from Jones to her cap
tain. Ii gives in detail the night and day
signals by which the blocka kade-runner was
to recognize the privateer and encoses a
part of a chart"
What a pity" murmured Mr.. Smith,
that we were so preciptate in sinking
her"
"Ay,' said Commodore Paulding How
ever, that cant be helped now. We must
do the next best thing 1t seems from
this letter that the blockade-runner is not
expected for week vet. l have decided
70 tn q
schooner, if | can. and rig her up to
look like this privateer. Then intend to
put YOU aboard her in the hope that you
can capture the Greyhound. After that
you must go in with her and destroy the
privateer."
"Ay. ay sir" said Smith, grinning with
delight IN do it."
How will you proceed?" asked the
commodore.
why. sir, I'll lay off the mouth of the
inlet and keep watch for the Greyhound
When | sight her I'll make the signals and
90 aboard her and take possession. Then
I'll transship my crew to the Greyhound,
take her through the inlet, cross the
sound. 90 up the river, lay the blockade
runner alongside the Ellen under pretense
of bringing her the guns, and take her by
boarding"
That's very we'll, indeed, so far as it
goes" said the commodore, smiling at his
eager subordinate, but what will you do
them
Bring out the privateer, SIR"
But if you cannot?'
"Detroy her. then"
How will you get back, then?"
''Ill not be thinking of getting back in
that case, sir" answered Mr.. Smith grave
ly.
Put you must" said tho commodore
impressively ut will be a touch and go
at best, but / do not wish to throw away
any men or lives if | can help it. Be
sides. the more honor to you and to us
all if YOU bring her out. | hardly sup
pose you can break through, but certainly
you must do your best to get back safely"
Il shall. sir"
81 sent for you thus early" continued
the commodore. that you might have
ample time to mature your plans. We
ought to fall In with the feet day after
tomorrow. The Greyhound isn't expect
ed for week. Our privateering captain
evidently thought himself at liberty TO
o,-,,;so m HE ovrn hooL for few dave