v
THE lOU UBI i DEMOCRAT
I
1 U1 ""' """"" U0S"V every form of Tyranny over the Mind of Mau.-Thomas Jefferson
Volume ti. OOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY. MAYTsT Kucr 3
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From the Boston Miscellany,
THE CHASE.
I had just turned over in my berth, in
hope to resume a very pleasant dream, the
thread of which had been broken by some
noise on deck, and was about closing my
senses to external objects when a cry of
'Sail, ho caused me to jump up, and make
haste on deck. I met Mr. Tomkins in the
angway eoming down to tell me. Where
is she, sii-I'
'On the lee beam'
A ship?'
'No, sir, I believe a schooner, but I can't
make her out.'
'Steward, hand up my gh.'
The day had searccly dawned, and by
the grey and uncertain light, unassisted by
the glass, I could only make out and object
but the moment I put my telescope to her,
1 saw she was a schooner, with raking
masts, standing to the Westward, with
square sail se. We wcro heading South,
close hauled, with a light air from the East
ward, momentarily expecting the Trade
"Wind. As the day dawned more perfecily
and wq were perceived by tho stranger, his
equate sail came in and he hauled his wind
with such celerity, that I diil -hesitate
to pronounce him a slaver or a pirate,which
indeed are synonymous terms iu blue wa
ter. Call all bands, Mr. Tomkins; hoist our
odours-'
The stranger showed Portugese colouts
in reply to ours. This did not relieve the
anxiety which had seized on me tho mo
ment I had a fair view of the schooner, for i
that nation was still actively engaged in tho
slave trade; and wo were just in the track
ofoutward bound vessels to tho coast of
Africa, and tho Cape de Verd Islands.also,
whero they often toueh to refresh and refit
Our crew consisting of only ten men, b
sides offirors. cool;, and steward were soon
mustered aft.
'I havo called you, my boys,' said I, to
state my intention with regard to that vessel
to leeward, which I suspect to bo a rogue
We will ptepare for as stout a resistance as
possible. If he is honest, I shall still see
by your actions which of you I can really
depend opon, and there will Lo nothing
lost and if a roaue, we must take it for
granted, that if we give up like cowards, we
hall havo our throats cut; and as this is to
be our fate whether we resist or not, if he
boards us let us make up our minds to sell
our lives as dearly as possible; and remetn
ber, men, one man devoted to a good cause
is able to beat off a dozen engaged in rob
bcry and murder. They gave a simulta
neous, approbation, nad went forward again
t- appaientiy in goou spmi.
It was now broad da) light, ana we couiu
plainly perceive that tho stranger gained to
windward, though ho dropped astern a little
rendering it somewhat doubtful whether he
was much superior to us in sailing. Our
bonny bark was reputed a first rate sailer
on the wind, when, in her best trim, but
she wa pretty deeply Udcn with a fall
cargo of cotton bale goods, and about one
hundred thousand dollars in specie, and ij
could sail with a clipper schooner on the
wind, or in any other was. Our ships
srmamcnt consisted 2 six pounders.twelve
wuskels, and tho same number of boarding
pises, ami a braco or two of pistols, my
private armament consisted of a good rifle.a
largo ducking gun, a double-barrel Joe
Manton, a pair of duelling pistols, and a
patent pistol capable of discharging six
uaus in as many seconds; and 1 accounted
myself a good shot with all of them.
At eight o'clock it was nearly calm, tho
chase about two miles on the Ieo quarter
and hoaumg directly for us.
Mr- I omkins was a six-fooler, a real
down cast Yankee, who had been mate of
the Ark, for all I know, and who was equal
to any man in that capacity, although he
might bo taken for twenty years of age, if
seen going aloft, there wag peoplo who had
Known him at least that time as chief male.
Ho always obeyed orders promptly, never
tailed to have an answer ready, and exacted
from al under him the same prompt and
strict obedience that he paid lo his superior
oincer. 1 lie second male. Mr. Tnmw.
was a young man of good education.lookine
lorwarii lo promotion, and promising to do
linnn. In 1 - - ....If - .
"""' " U4SOII u a commanaer alter a
few years' mora experience My crew
were all active young men, and tho cock,
(or JJocter. as he was called) was a real
specimen of a first rate runaway Virginia
slave; he could cook, as well as ho could
fiildle.and on a Saturday night, he would
amuse all hands, by a lale of a'possum hunt
or a deer drive. Having now described
our crew, our vessel, and all we knew of
the slranger, I will hasten to put the patient
reader in possession of the facts for which
ho is anxiously looking. My orders were
as follows, and they were obeyed in as
short timo as I shall lake write lo (heim'Mr:
Tomkln,--iuatl
and foui backshot in each, look to the flints
also load tho great guns with round and
canister.
'Aye, aye sir.'
'Docter, put two iron bolls in the fire.and
ke?p them led hot; andilL-v- -"-PP""
wjlh hnlitr-dicr-
Mr. Turner, muster all the hats and pea
aekets, and slick ono on each handspike
near about the ports; it will make hiiu
think that we are well manned; and trice
up all the ports, sir and put a log of wood
out of each, and give them n dab of paint
Mr Tomkins, send old Brown to the helm,
and tell him to 'steer small.'
Aye, ayo sir.'
These arrangments being completed, 1
-vent down below, and loaded my arms;
and on examining the 'Doctor, I found that
he was quite familiar with that instrument
of death the rifle; I accordingly gave him
my flash and bag of balls, and other mater
ials, telling him I should call upon him to
load for mo when the timo came.
'Oh, nebcr fear, Aassa, gib us breeze,
and him not catch us so easy.' said he, grin
ningjrom ear to ear, and wetting his long
knife on a stone.
I put a ball ant! four slugs into my double
barrel, and a half handful of buckshot into
my 'ducker.'and a qitantem sufficit of balls
into the pistols. I had scarcely made
these arrangements when Tomkins cal-
- a
t..i
uit. sir, arid 1
Hi s """"r"'B
reckon he's to slab 'long Tom' into us.
I iumued on deck, and as it was now
dead calm, it was too evident this was his
intention'
Down flat upon deck, evory sot.1 of you
shouted I. All obeyed except Tomkins
who coolv looked through the glass.
There bhe flashes, sir,' and in anoiner
instant a heavy shot whistled throught our
mainOD-eallant-sail'
'He shoots well, that's a fact.' said Ton
kin.
I looked a the smoke lazily curled away
and saw that he had not the same flag fly
Tomkins. what's that at her paM
i.
ing.
It look, sir, like a red shirt with the Doe
tor's head in it, oid a couple of bones rig
ged across his chin,'
PRINTED AND l'UBLISIIED BY II. WEBB.
Sure enough, t was a red flag, with
oiacn Ueath s.hcad and marrow-bonss paint
ea on it. i cannot say that I felt relieved
at these symptoms; yet my mind was mado
up that were oj.and it remahud only for
us to dio game. There seemed nothing
snort ,ol I'roviccnce to save us; if it remain
-.1 i . .
uu caim, ne would boro us through with
his long gun; If it breezed up, he could out
sail us-
'Mr, TomSins, keep an eye to him, and
let mo know of any movement' Mr. Tur
ner, bend on the weather studding-sails, all
rcauy to run out; perhaps we can outsail
hira off the wind when the breeze
comes'
This order was scarcely obeyed, when
lomKins reporled, Mhcy are gilting a tack
lfl nt tliA fi-i. l t .
. ...v iuisi.iu uiiu dnoiner in llio main
"ggiii, sir, to hoist out their launch, and
board us, by heavens!' 'I like that Mr.
1 omkins for tho rascally captain and half
I ... "
ins crew will come m her, certain of an
easy prey; but if my aim don't fail me, few
of that boat's crew will return, be they
more or less. Mr. Turner.hoist these two
guns up on the deck at once, for if wo want
them at all, it will be over the stern. Are
you a good shot, Mr. Tomkins!
When I was younger, sir.I was called a
leetle the best shot in Kennebunk, and 1
guess I could fetch a turkey at'a hundred
yards now, with a straight rifle.'
' 1 hen, sir do you take charire of tlm
twelve muskets, and let Jim load for vat..,.
fast yoo fire, while thn TWtnr ,-,.t t :ii
( " ' " "MU . Will
keep my own tools bmy.'
1 he piri.te's launch was now manned.
and pulling ten oars for ue lustily, while a
group -of men were collected forwards and
in (he stren sheets of her, perhaps twenty
er twenly-fivo altogether, scarcely a mile
astern, and as wo were almost entirelv h.
b.iuicu, aiuc rupmrr-uir u. -
no occasion to call the peopla aft to give
my orders, for they were collected round
the capstan with anxious faces and blanch
ed cheeks. ;
M' j "ucceeu in geiting alongside,
boys, said I, 'we will retreat with our arms
to the eabin, and let them board us, and
through tho windows.and cabin door we
may clear the decks; iftnot, I shall reserve
my last pislplsvfor the powder magazine,
. . T'V . .....
wnicn is at na,nu, anu wo win an go togeth
er, and dissaSpoint tfctf rascals. But I trust
t will not Ve necessary to como to that.
Nail downthe fore cuttle, Mr. Turner, if
they gtJVrPn'Cs'l'e ra'nJ every , oae retreat
to the cabin, or die like a dog on dock, if ho
please.'
There they shout, sir, and pull a head,
as if after a whalo,' said the mato,' and
here comes a little breeze, loo perhaps it
wilt strike us before the villains get near
enough.'
Thoy are in range of tho rifle, sir!'
'No, sir, wait until they get noar enough
to be 6ure of the leader within an hundred
yards, There she breezes, thank God!
-Good full,' Brown, and nothing off- Wc
havo the breeze before the schoontr, but its
very light yet, and llio launch gains fast.
Now, Now, Doctor, stand by, mind the
patches. Stand by Tomkins, aim at the
group in tho bow, while I take the stern:
are you ready I
'Fire!'" and down went the rascal at the
tiller, and one also at the bow:
Load her quick, Doctor and let mo give
them Joe Manton; in the meantime, fire
away Tomkins, as fast as you pleaso only
take good aim be coot.
'Cool as a cowcumber, sir-
My doublo barrelled gun dropped one
oar in the water, and caused sorao coniu
in h -ifier nartof the boat. 'Put it
into them sir, we have uot lost a ball yet-
Give me the rifle, Doctor.'
'Yes, sir, ho is ready. I spit on the
bait for luck-'
This dischaige caused them, with the
increased breeze, to lay on the oars an in
stant, and then pun rounu iur mo
Three oheera.my
There tho schooner begins to feel thebrseze
Mr. Tumer.run up tho weather studding
saus.Keepner off two pointe.for he must pick
up his boat-There she breeze?,thankHeaven
oicauy, urown, steady.'
'Steady, Sit;'
'Keep hr straighl, foryour lifelSleward,
give the lacis a glass of gtoi; at once.
By the time the schooner had picked up
her boat and hoisted her on board, wo had
gained a mile or two, and we were going
eigm or nine knots with a free wind.
'Watch her close, Tomkins; let mo
know if she gains on us;'
'Ay, ay, sir.'
Mr. Turner, wo are a little by the stern
carry every thing portable chock forward
carpenter's chest, harness cask; roll those
two after cask forward be lively, sir.
Swab those guns out, Doctor, we'll have a-
nolherdab at them yet I fear, for sho sails
like a witch.'
Yes, sir, him going to Africa for ivory
and gold and dun dai'swhat dey call
nigger trading.'
'Sho gains, sir, but slowly; he hasn't got
the best of the breeze yet, perhaps-'
'So that will do, Mr. Turner, now get a
small pull of your weather toy-sail and top
gallant braces. Well, sir well all!'
They aro hosting that d d great
square sail, nir, and she springs to it like a
tiger-
Mr. Turner, slack eliltle of vour topmast
and top-gallant backstays to the windward
carefully, sir, not much and then send
all chock forward flVftrv nnnnrl will k1n
Four bells, sir, hold the reel.'
'Never, neve- mind the bells, no reel,
Tomkins; what use is it to us nowT Keep
your eyes on the schooner, and let me
know when the six pounders wil tell en
him; we may ehool away his torapast by
Wjy-ftVr-.rrr-
Tomkins waswasso mechani'?,,-;
. i .. .. uia, no doubt, have
in every thine th' ' , ', , ' ,
t. .B... ins quandranton deck and observed
for the sun, if it had been noon, and I had
riot interfered. He was as cooll as possi
ble, and his conduct seemed to put nerve
into the men-
'He gains fast, sir; I can see the red cap
on the rascal at the helm let me give him
a shot, sirl
Well, sir.fiio away if you think you can
reach him Doctor, bring your loggerhead
and when I give the word, touch her quick.
So, lift her breech a leetle mite, Tom, so, so
standby, give it to herV and away
went our little shot and struck the water
about two-thirds of the way to tho sehooon
er. 'Load up again, Tomkins, and leave out
the cannister, and tho shot will gostraighter
aim higher than before, say for tho royal,
now give it to himV
Plump into his square ssil, sir; but forty
thousand such wouldn't hit him hard. Oh
if we only could borrow his long Tom for
an hour or twolThe Sarpint is sure of us or
ho would fire it himself '
At this crisis the chase was only a mile
or a mile and a half astern, and could easily
have bored us through; but presumo ho was
afraid to yaw his vessel enough to bring the
mm to bear, and it would no doubt kill his
was gaining perceptibly, he calculated to be
along side of us lon3 before night.
'Load up again, sir, and I will try my
luck, for it must be a raero chance shot that
does him any harm.'
All ready, sir.'
'Stand by Doctor, and when I give tho
word touch her quick Fire.'
The shot struck the water jusf under her
now Now for the other eun: I shall do
belter, Ready! FirelHii topmast tot
ters! it falls, by heavenal !'
A spontaneous cheer from our crew seem
ed to assure ui of safty. 'Givs me the
glass, boy. They are culling the wreck a
way as fast a possible, still determined to
overhaul us. Keop off two points, round
in tho weather braces a full, run out that
the rascal, Mr. Tomkins. with the glass.and
let mo know if wo gain on him
'Ay, ay, sir.'
The breeze was now fresh, well on the
quarter, and we" were sure to gain on hini
until his topmast could be replaced, which,
with a large and aetivo crow, bent on re
venge, would cost him but an tour's
work.
'She drops, sir, she drops! I can but
just see that nigger's head on tho flag; half
an hour ago I could see the marrow-bones.
'Very welll, sir, let the people now got
a bite of djnner.fdr we ahall have mora to do
yel, to gel clear of him, if we do at all.'
'I don'i know what more wo cn do sir,
unless we grease tho bottom,' said Tomkins
with a smile.
'We have yel ono principal resort, my
dear sir, and will go at it the moment wo
get something to work upon, if he gain
upon us.'
Tomkins cut a new quid of tobacco, of
which he had mado uncommonly froe uso
that inoining, and by that only did he shew
any sign of anxiety. 'Get your dinners,
Mi. Tomkins and Mr, Turner, I can't go
down to eat, while that fel!ow is deing us,
Send me up a bit of biscuit, and a glass of
wine.'
'Ay, ay, sir.'
It was now about one o'clock and the
schooner dropping slowly,while the prepar
ation to fit a new top-mast were actively
progressing. In ten minutes all hands
again on deck, anxioujly watching. As
Tomkins came on deck, I heard him say to
Tomer,
'Consarn me, if I know what the old
man is going at; we've done all human na
tur can do, and he's not given io praying-'
'How long, Tomkins. " take hitn to
catch us, when hemades all saU again, at
longsido before sunset, I recon.'
By two o'clock, his top sail andtop-gallant
were again set; and in twenty minutes mor
his studding sail, repal and ringtail, and it
was evident he began to gain spases, though
now more than four miles astern.
'Mi. Tomkins, wo will now try onr last
resort-'
'Ay, ay, sir-'
Break open the hatches, saw the rail
and bulwarks off abreast them, and tumble
up those bales as fast as possible.,
This idea had evidently never entered
into the head of any of tho crew or officers,
and tho long faces with which they had
sen the pirate gain on us, were instantly
changed to faces full of hope- In ten min
utes the cook and second mate had sawed
off the rails and bulwarks, tho hatches
wero off, and tho bales coming up faster
thau any ever before come out of her, and
overbroad.
'Look well lo your trim. Mi, Tomkins
do not take too many from one side. Send
boy Jim on tho poop to keep an account of
the number as they pass by. Over with
them, boys, you are now working for your
lives 'But no encouragement was necessary
for the men stripped to their trousers only
worked like tigers'
'Mr. Tomkins, cut away this stern boat.
-flliaTe If. These largo bales will oongo mm
to steer wild or to run against them.
We continued this work for nearly an
hour, berforo wo began perceptibly lo gain
on the schooner. But by four o'clock ho
had dropped ruoro than half a mile; yet to
make sure, wo did not abate our exeruon
until after five o'clock, whon four hdndre.l
out of a thousand bales had been thrown over
During the operation 1 could hardly refrain,
from laugling at tho remarks which escap
ed from the men after we began to gain.
Huzza, boys!' said one, 'over with them
the
uuderwiters aro rick:
Watch there watch!' cried another, as
he rolled a bal over; 'them will do for him
to buy niggers with.'
'I wish my old woman had a balo tf
lhat said the Doctor,
ConvluiUd en fourth page-'
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