The Washington times., 1910-06-02
Cyrus Townsend Brady

TUTTIET EUUTse- TaNTUE
been turned through an arc OF &C
degrees. She was on her best point
of sailing before the wind, and was
increasing the distance between her
and the pursuer.
The frigate appeared TO have been
taken by surprise, for a perceptible
interval elapsed before her helm was
put up, and by similar evolution she
swung after the merchant hooker.
This time, however, she was slightly
TO leeward. She DID not work quite so
handtly as the lighter and smaller
ship IL was evident, although when II
came TO plain sailing the Hiram and
Susan had no antage-indeed. was
at a disadvantage.
''That was handsomely done. my
girl" said Captain Hubbell admiring-
THANK you, father" returned Susan
as indeed IL was, a matter Of course
that she should do the thing smartly
and properly.
She shot another long look over the
1--WE gained something on her by the
move, but we don't hold the advan-
Jage. See how she walks up on US.
I'll try her again Oh the wind"
'Tis useless" answered the cap
tain; tive tried her a half-dozen
times during the night"
Again Susan's orders were carried
out smartly. and the Hiram and Susan
the starboard tSck.
Again the evolution was followed on
the Irigate and this time more smartly
than before careful scrutiny did not
convince Susan that she had gained
appreciably by the two maneuvers, and
she rapidly came to the conclusion that
with the two vessels on the same tack
sne presented a bigger target 10 the
broadside OF the frigate. Therefore,
once more she threw her vessel before
the wind. ano once more the frigate
followed her example. II was evident
that the end VAS imminent and certain.
There was nothing 10 do I'm the way
OF seamanship 20 shake on the pursuer-
Captain Hiram ana his daughter stared
A long time at the frigate- She was
drawing nearer with every minute. Sea
manship had faxed, but there was still
something TO he oone-
This time the captain took charge
himself a few rapid orders and the
two SHIPS were sailing side By side
What are you going 10 do. fatheTg'
m not going 10 give Up yet he
said, without hgh-'
What Match this little merchant
ship against yon frigr -" eXpOstulaIed
Mr.. COnant in astOni- n-la INT.
I am,' said CapCiE tram firmly,
and you Will Oblige re y seeing my
orders are carried OF"
Very good. sir Sc T. ne mate.
Get the men TO the guns. Go for
ward yourself on the 1OTecastle and
learBoff the long-tom. If we can man
shake her of"
but. sir" Mr.. Conant ventured fur
ther, the minute we open hre she'll
do the same, and
You handy words with my father?'
cried Susan.
Peace, my child" said Captain
Hiram, "Mr. Conant IS doing what he
thinks IS his duty, but I swear III
not strike that flag yOnder'-he point
ed back TO the Stars and Stripes
without hght for it. even II II
sinks the ship"
Think of your daughter. sir" said
And I would rath"- go down with
him than surrender" cried Susan
Mr. COnant was as brave as a lion.
but he was not foOlhardy- To be sure,
the ship did not belong 10 him. and
he had not for her that affection
which Captain Hiram had. She had
been the captains home for these
many years. and he loved her as he
loved his native land
The men heard with surprise the
order TO get 10 quarters and cast loose
the guns. They had had their lesson,
however. and, though reluctant, they
obeyed.
Presently all was ready. The tarpau-
Inns were taken OF the pivot-gun for
ward, and the gun, a long twelve
FOUNDER, was loaded and prsmed. The
six and four FOUNDERS in the brOadside
were useless al this range, but the
long-tOm could do some damage Al
that date fTigates only carried long
eighteen Founders. and not many OF
those. and while there were a score
Of long guns in the British frigate's
broadside TO overwhelm the one on
the Hiram and SuS"n, most OF the
British guns were hines. and some
were even skies.
'-NIr. Conant.T beloved the captain
through his hand. are YOU ready
Yes sir
Try 10 knock a mast out OF her.
Give her shot plenty OF elevation and
Mr.. Conant himself knelt down and
sighted the gun With ChOCks and
Quoins ne got the proper elevation, and
then applied the loggerhead- There was
burst OF smoke. a Hash, roar A
great rent appeared in the fOretopsail
OF the fTiEaIe- The men on the Hiram
and Susan yelled loudly.
That's almost good enough said the
captain Another ike that and she'll
be minus a topmast."
Load again, boys" said Mr.. Conant,
prudence deserting him at the success
OF his shot
The men on The forecastle RAPIDLY re-
charged the piece. Just as Mr. COnant
knelt down 70 sight Il there was a ter
rifc detonAtton- The whole side Of the
fTigate burst into fame. She had let 60
her broadside full upon the Hiram and
Susan.
The fcretopmast went over the side
with Z. crash The men on the starboard
training idChle On Ine fOreCEStle were
swept away as II they had been brushed
aside with broom One shot buried it.
self under the bounds OF the nainmast
Another smashed a qUarter-bOat and
drove crowd Of splinters inward one
OF which struck one OF the Americans.
The English vessel forged ahead into
the cloud OF her own smoke. and 2 shift
OF the helm drove her down upOn +ha
Hiram and Susan
by Godt'' said Captain Hiram yell
not strike without striking back He
was In range now.
Let her have Il, men" he roared
through his trumpet.
The small guns in the broadside OF
the merchantmen barked out a sharD
defiance The range was pointbIack.
and some Of the shot got home. Another
smashing brOadside came from the Fne-
liSh frigate- Great holes were Knocked
in the bulwarks- Three Of the guns
were dismOunted- A haIf-dozen men
were hit The main tOpsail-yard was
battered Braces and ropes were cut,
and the ship lay practically helpless.
Mad with rage, Captain Hiram Jump
ed down from the quarterback
Give II to him. he roared Give
Il TO the English dogl Wen sink rather
than striker
But the men had no heart for further
fighting, and, indeed, Captain Hiram's
defiance was the act OF nadruan The
English ship had them closed aboard.
and another broadside would sink them.
a voice came family to them out of
the confusion.
do you striker
No." roared Captain Hiram. Give
It to them, lads, Mr.. Conantl'