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Read Ebook: Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812 by Barnes James Chapman Carlton T Illustrator Zogbaum Rufus Fairchild Illustrator
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Ebook has 737 lines and 60358 words, and 15 pages
Page
Reuben James, Able Seaman 23
The Men behind the Times 33
The Coward 51
The Scapegoat 87
In the Harbor of Fayal 125
The Escape of Symington 147
The Narragansett 171
Fighting Stewart 195
Two Duels 215
Dartmoor 235
The Rival Life-Savers 259
Random Adventures 271
Opposite Page
"It was Lieutenant Allen!" 18
"Reuben James sprang forward" 30
"'What d'ye mean by attackin' a peaceful whaler?'" 47
"Carefully he lowered away" 79
"'Stay here no longer--though I would have you with me'" 104
"Everything was done that good seamanship could direct" 120
"There was a figure crawling up below him" 141
"She came about like a peg top" 167
"Over fence and hedge" 190
"A discussion that grew more heated every moment" 212
"'I observed it,' said the Lieutenant" 225
"The deadly volley" 258
"'Now we have him, lads!'" 268
Give a ship an unlucky name, and it will last throughout the whole of her career. A sailor is proverbially superstitious, and he clings jealously to tradition.
Given this drawback, the unlucky captain of such a craft finds it difficult to recruit a proper crew, and must often be content with green hands, or the riffraff disdained by other ships' masters.
WASHINGTON, April 6, 1807.
SIR: It has been represented to me that William Ware, Daniel Martin, John Strachan, John Little, and others, deserters from a British ship of war at Norfolk, have been entered by the recruiting officer at that place for our service. You will be pleased to make full inquiry relative to these men , and inform me of the result. You will immediately direct the recruiting officer in no case to enter deserters from British ships of war.
ROBT. SMITH.
"William Ware and John Strachan have protections. Daniel Martin says he lost his after leaving the frigate.
Papers proving their American citizenship.
The foregoing proves beyond all manner of doubt what ground Commodore Barron had in taking the stand he did further on in the proceedings. But Admiral Berkeley was a very proud, obstinate man. His feelings had been hurt by the refusal of the Yankee commodore to give up his men, and he bided his time.
"Captain Humphreys' compliments," began the Lieutenant. "And he requires the privilege of searching this vessel for deserters."
"What are their names, may I ask?" inquired Barron.
The officer replied, reading from a list he carried in his hand, but describing the men as subjects of "His Majesty, King George."
When he had finished, Barron frowned.
"I do not recognize Mr. Erskine in this business," interrupted the young Lieutenant arrogantly. "Nor do I wish to talk with any one but Captain Barron. There is much more to be said."
Barron took the doctor to one side. "You will pardon me for placing you in a position to receive such an insult. I did not suppose it possible."
"Make no mention of it," was the return; "I understand." With that the agent walked away.
The Englishman could not have helped noticing the confusion upon the American's decks. The crew were engaged under the direction of the petty officers in coiling away the stiff, new running-gear and cables, men with paint-pots and brushes were touching up the bulwarks and paint work; others were polishing the brass; and it was altogether a peaceful scene that struck his eye, even if the presence of the ladies had not added the finishing touch.
On the quarter-deck, leaning carelessly against the railing, was a young officer, Lieutenant William Henry Allen, third in rank. He was but twenty-three years of age, a tall, boyish-looking fellow, with beautiful features, clear eye and complexion, and ruddy cheeks. He noticed the glance the English officer had given, and his face clouded. He was near enough to hear what passed between Barron and the Lieutenant.
"With the greatest pleasure in the world," Barron returned, indicating that the Lieutenant should precede him; and with that they disappeared from view. Once seated at the cabin table, the Englishman broached the subject without preamble.
"Commodore Douglass," he began, "is fully determined to recover the deserters that are now harbored on board this ship. It is my desire to warn you that it is best that you submit to a peaceable search, and in return my commanding officer will permit you to do the same, and if any of your men are found in our complement, you are welcome to take them with you. This should bear great weight in helping you to form your decision. Here is his letter."
Captain Barron took the paper, broke the seal, and read as follows:--
AT SEA, June 22d, 1807.
"As I before remarked," said the Lieutenant, noting that Barron had finished the letter, "Captain Humphreys offers you the privilege of a mutual search."
Captain Barron smiled. The idea that he should find any of his own men serving on board King George's vessel was rather amusing.
"I have missed none of my crew," he said quietly, "and, while grateful for the privilege, I do not desire to make use of it."
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