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СКАЧАТЬ poop, with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the fog as it took grotesque forms under the influence of the rising breeze, the loud cry was heard from the sailor stationed on the mast, “of a ship on the lee side, sir;” and on looking out the commander immediately perceived a large boat under sail, which soon reached the vessel. In a few moments, a man, whose dress marked him as superior to his companions, mounted on board the “Vulture,” and introduced himself as the captain of the bark “Mercury” from Liverpool, laden with provisions for the army, and which only two hours previously had been attacked by a vessel bearing the American flag. Opposition was not to be thought of; since, as the stranger affirmed, his foe was a ship with twelve guns. He and his crew were thrown into a large boat, with a cask of water and a few kegs of biscuit, and what had become of the “Mercury” he knew not, since he was compelled to set sail instantly.

      “Will you continue your course to land, or will you aid us in trying to overtake this bold privateer?”

      “Oh! sir, most gladly will I accompany you,” replied the captain of the Mercury, and calling his sailors on board, the “Vulture” soon spread its wings for full flight in the direction of the foe, till when the sun broke suddenly through the mist, he called aloud to Drummond, “There she lies, see! still at the side of my vessel.”

      On looking in the direction pointed out, William perceived a small schooner, and at its side a vessel with three masts, both about half a mile distant. “Down with the main-sail!” he commanded, and soon the “Vulture” dashed so quickly through the water, as to tremble at its keel. Meanwhile the captain of the “Mercury” stood with spy-glass in hand, scarcely able to restrain his impatience, till suddenly dropping it, he muttered, “too late! too late! The ship lies deeper in the water than it did a minute ago. Gracious Heavens! they are sinking it;” and as Drummond caught up a glass, he observed that the masts of the bark moved violently backwards and forwards, and presently the whole vessel disappeared beneath the surface of the water.

      “Up, my men, prepare the vessel for combat,” cried William, passionately; “yonder fellow shall repent this shameful act.” His orders were obeyed with the greatest promptness, while the privateer, on her part, filled her top-sail and appeared ready to maneuver. As soon the captain of the Vulture had appeared so near as cannon shot, he hoisted the British flag and let fly a few balls, which sunk at some fathoms from the bow-sprit of the privateer. These were quickly returned by a girdle of fire, above which was hoisted the American flag.

      “Stand fast by your guns,” cried Drummond. as splinters from the masts and shreds of canvass told of the enemy’s successful shot; while, without noticing it, the Vulture still pressed its way through the deep, until it stood at only musket-shot distance from the foe. A regular cannonade now ensued, and lasted almost half an hour, while neither vessel changed its position more than the length of its cable. Now and then a puff of wind blew aside the misty veil which enveloped both barks, and then might be seen the devastation which had been committed. The shots of the privateer had been directed pretty high; indeed it was easy to see that its captain sought to render his adversary as incapable as possible of maneuver, for all the yards were hung with tattered canvass and cordage, and had the American sought to escape, the Vulture would have found it difficult to follow her, though the former had received some little injuries in the trunk and netting sails. The ships now falling off on the wind, glided slowly side by side, streams of fire playing from their flanks.

      “Yonder man understands his business well;” observed Drummond to the captain, his companion, “it is a pity he was not engaged in a better cause. But let us approach him nearer, our calibre is stronger than his, and we will fire low, so as to produce a good leak if possible; yet never have I seen the smoke thus lie on the poop. Port the helm! Close on the larboard; and now for your pistols, the matter must have an end.”

      The noise of the combat was now indeed fearful. The roar of the cannon-shots; the whizzing of the bullets; the splinters of wood which flew in every direction; the cries of the wounded; all together formed a Babel-like scene, and the fight had raged for almost an hour, when suddenly one of the masts of the privateer, struck by a ball, fell with a loud crash. A loud “hurrah” from the Vulture proclaimed the victory; but to the command to lower the flag, the Gray Shark only returned a fresh cannonade. The Vulture now shot on the beak of the privateer, and on both sides preparations for boarding were made; the firing ceased; and all hands seized on muskets, sabres and axes. Already had a couple of sailors of the Vulture thrown out ropes, when springing to the poop, Drummond exclaimed, “cut that rope, let the ship drive on, there is fire in the privateer.”

      His command was immediately obeyed; and, presently a stream of fire shot up from the deck of the foe; a cloud of smoke rose from its body, even to the top-masts; and a fearful crash so compressed the surrounding air, as to toss over the British vessel on its side; while as the black volumes dispersed, they could perceive that the place where the privateer laid was now empty and unoccupied, though masses of wreck floated all around on the heaving waters.

      “Let us steer in the direction of the wreck, and rescue some of the crew if possible,” commanded the captain of the second mate; but before the Schooner could reach the spot, the struggling sailors, had all disappeared, except one, who still combatted with the waves.

      “He lives! yonder is the Captain of the Privateer!” and as Drummond looked in the same direction, and gazed on the face of the drowning man as the waves closed over him, he shrieked aloud, “Oh, my God!’ my God! Let down a boat! Save him! it is no other than—;” and unable to articulate another word, he was obliged to lean against the side of the vessel, while several sailors immediately obeyed his orders, though without success, since the body had sunk to rise no more. Hardly in a situation to extend any directions to his crew, with tottering steps, Drummond reached the cabin; whereat throwing himself on a chair, he covered his face with his hands, as if to banish the fearful remembrance. “No! it is impossible! It could not have been John. My beloved brother would not have directed his cannon against the flag of old England. And yet that face was so like his. Gracious heavens! what am I to think?” then rising quickly, he paced up and down the apartment, muttering aloud. “No! I feel certain that I am mistaken. It must have been someone who greatly resembled him. How could I determine in that momentary glance.” And thus he sought to quiet his dark forebodings, till on the next day, they arrived in sight of Long Island.

      On reaching New York, Drummond made enquiries in every direction, to discover who was the captain of “Gray Shark;” and though the information was very uncertain, he learned one fact which somewhat quieted his restless spirit, namely, that he was an Englishman by the name of John Walker. Soon, however, fresh doubts tormented him; for what was more natural than that his brother should change his name in taking part with the rebels, since as an American, if he could sustain that disguise, he would be treated less severely if taken prisoner. With his feelings wound up to the highest pitch, William determined to resort to the last expedient for discovering the truth, and accordingly wrote to the house in Boston, with whom John had entered into the contract as Captain. What was his disappointment, when on the subsequent day, he was summoned to appear before Admiral Howe, who informed him, that he wished him to sail immediately for England. “A committee of Congress,” said he, “consisting of Franklin, John Adams and Edward Rutledge, have presented themselves before me to offer a treaty, which they believe will prove advantageous to both countries, I must however have instructions, and full power for acting, and as your ship is a quick sailer, I trust to see you back in three months, or at the least ten weeks. You will receive your despatches in the course of two hours.”

      Although Drummond was gratified by the duty assigned him, as well as by a hint from one of Lord Howe’s adjutants, that the Admiral had recommended him to the British ministers for promotion, yet to depart before receiving an answer from Boston, was most distressing. He felt hardly able to endure the long months of agonizing uncertainty. Day and night, yes, even in his dreams, the pale, deadly face of the drowning seaman rose before him; and it was well that the anxieties attendant on a stormy passage, somewhat detached his mind СКАЧАТЬ