The Marshall republican., 1909-03-12

The cannonade now increased: but
the wind, which is usually deadened,
continued to rise, and both the heavy
ships were almost rolling their yard
arms in the water. The Indomp-
tables fire was exceedingly steady,
but not well directed, while, after ten
minutes of a close fire, IL was seer
that we were fast shooting her spars
out of her. The frigate, much disabled
by the loss of her mast, had fallen of
to leeward, and never got close enough
again to be of any assistance to her
consort.
The AiaX's people began to clamor
to get alongside, and alongside we got.
AS we neared the incompatible, oc-
~casionally yawing to prevent being
raked, his metal began to tell, and we
we're much cut up aloft. besides hav.
Ing been hulled repeatedly; but we
came on steadily. The man at the
wheel had nearly all his clothes torn
of him by a splinter, but with the
spirit Of a true seaman, he stood at
his post unfiinchingly, never letting go
Of the spokes for one moment. When
we were within a couple Of pistol
shots, the F%renchman opened a smart
musketry fire. Sir Peter had left the
bridge for a moment and was crossing
the deck, when a ball went through
his hat, knocking it of and tearing it
TO pieces. He stopped down. picked It
up, and then called out to a powder
boy who was passing:
Go to my cabin, and in the upper
drawer Of the locker to the left of
my bed.place, you will see two cooked
hats: bring me the newest one.
Hanged IL I'll not wear a decent hat,
in spite of the Frenchman!"
And this man was ruled by his wife!
We hove to about a cables length
from the Frenchman, and then the
fight began in earnest. We were so
neal that every shot told. The French.
man made great play with his main
deck battery, and IL sails and rigging
soon were so cut up that when we
came foul, a few minutes later, we
we're damned fast; but nobody on
either ship wished 1t otherwise. The
Frenchman's main-yard swung d.
fectly over our poop, and Capt. Gull
ford himself made it fast to our miz-
zen rigging. The Frenchman. how
ever, was not yet beaten at the guns,
and the firing was so heavy on both
sides that a pail OF smoke enveloped
both ships. This was to our advan-
tage, for the frigate, having got some
sail on the stump of her mizzenmast,
now approached; but the wind drifted
the smoke so between her and the two
fighting ships, that she could not in
the dim twilight plainly discern friend
from foe, especially as both were
painted black. and we swung together
with the sea and wind. When the
smoke drifted off, the gallant but I'M
fortunate Xantippe found herself d.
rectly under our broadside. We gave
her one round from our main battery.
and she troubled us no more.
or my own feelings, l can only say
that ! welcomed the return of my cour-
age so rapturously, I felt capable of
heroic things. Occasionally | recog-
nized Sir Peter as he fitted past; he
seemed everywhere at once, and |
perceived that although Capt. Gull
ford was technically fighting the ship,
Sir Peter was by no means an idle
spectator. My gun was on the en-
gagged side all the time, and several
of the guns on that side became dis
abled. and officers were wounded or
killed; II brought Giles Vernon quite
close TO me. Through the smoke and
the fa~st.falling darkness, lighted only
by the red fash Of the guns and the
glare Of the battle lanterns, | could
and his ringing voice always led the
cheering.
Presently the F~renchman's fire
s~lackened, and then a dull, rumbling
sound was heard in the depths OF the
incompatible, followed by a roar and
streams Of light from the forehatch.
The forward magazine had exploded,
and II seemed in the awful crash and
blaze ss II all the masts and spars
went skyward. with the rags Of the
sails; and a solemn hush and silence
followed the explosion.
In another instant I heard Sir
Peters sharp voice shouting:
Call all hands to board! Boatswain,
cheer the men up with the pipe!"
And then the clear notes of the boat
swdin's pipe foated out into the dark
ness. and with a yell the men gathered
at the .huiwarks. On the French ship
they appeared to be dazed by the OK.
plosipn. and we could see only a few
officers running about and trying to
collect the men.
In another instant I saw Mr., Bux-
ton leap upon the Misunderstanding,
and ahpht to spring, when a figure be-
hind him seized him by the coat-taiis,
and. dragging him back ward, he meas
ured his length on the deck. The fig.
ure was Giles Vernon.
After me-" ne cried to the first
lieutenant; and the next moment he
made his sprinR, and landed, the first