The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1908-02-18
THE BALLAD OF THE BETHELL

domeward bound was the Bethel. on,
from the Midland Sea,
Tast the Strait of Gibraltar into the west
sailed she.
Isaac Freeman, the master, thought of hi,
cargo sold.
Thought of the wares of Europe laden saf,
in the hold.
Prayed for a peaceful passage vet-;s 6,b,
he must
Letters of marque he carried. and a score
~, OF guns outthrust
lheir menace to French and Spaniards
~, who never would need to know
mat SIX OF the guns were wooden-for the
Bethel still should go
safe overseas to Boston. with riches
49, brought from far
10 owners that dared the uttermost. de-
spite King Georges War.
The sun swung low to the westward. lost
nv, were the hills of Spain,
When Tar through the golden sun-track a
ON sail rose out of the main.
SLOWLY " grew to vessel, blocking the
-, Bethells path,
Like a beast OF prey that waited for tho
Cutting of It's wrath:
anu through the waning daylight sea.
90, schooled eye could tell
Twas the flag of Spain that lifted and
sank on the long groundswell.
% great Zoe tor the Bethel, so small and
Never such need had Freeman to summon
his Yankee wit.
All hands below!" he shouted SEARCH
every man his chest
With your Saba day hats and Jackets Let
~, slaves and oars be dressed
Aneh range them along the gunwale-good
,,, scarecrows breed good fear!
MAKE sure that all your lanterns are
trimmed and burning clear;
Strlnu thnm al -, a.
heave the guns well out.
Quakers' and all-step livelyl" save
aye!" came the answering shout.
Thus did the peaceful Bethel put ON
hghting giise,
Thus through the gathering darkness sbe
loomed for twice her size.
AS under the fagNof England to the Span.
lard close she drew
Brave with her lights and cannon. proud
of her mighty crew
So they hove to and parleyed. shouting
across in the night,
Clear sounded Freeman's trumpet: "Yield
x,r Wnlle We mayor fight"
what should the Spaniard answer. with n
British sloop of war
Full-armed, full-manned. as he tbouobt ber
-. monstrous of hull and spar.
rolling there in the darkness, ready to fire
and board?
BITTER the cry came back: az yield-take
ye my snip and sword!"
With the cheer that rang from tho Retbou
laughing note was blent.
ana the Spanish master, bewildered. won
derng what it meant.
wondered no more when captive. on Free.
mans deck he stood,
AND looked on the paltry cannon. six of
them hewn from wood.
ana the Yam zee crew redoubled by n
m, muster OF empty clothes.
linen wnat torrent of fury, what a food
oil Spanish oaths
Tor MS guns were six and twenty and his
- crew a hundred and ten
10 the BethelPs puny complement of seven
and thirty men;
AND the Jesus Maria and Joseph, the shin
he had brought so far. P
Douhd IRON Havana TO Cadiz, lost without
N, scratch or scar,
was register ship deep-lader with chests
OF silver and gold
Doubloons. and dollars by thousands. for
nanght to trickster sold!
but vain the wrath of the prisoners.
~ manacled all by morn;
For pleading they got but laughter. for
mn, cursing. but looks of scorn,
LII tney made Fayal, where the Spaniards,
C. tuning but now set free,
saw captor and captive westward fade
over the rounding sea-
ana the folk of Boston marveled when
seamen swart and strong,
armed to the teeth like pirates, bore the
~, treasure along
Through winding streets In tho r,oDs;o,,
. where an oaken cellar door
swung smut with the owners blessing OH
the sea and its golden store
And pieces. of eight, of goodly weight
should have lined the captains XII
For the bloodless fight he had won. tb,t
night all by his Yankee wit '""'
M. A .DeWolfe Howe in Youths Com.
panion.