. Yankee ships and Yankee sailors : tales of 1812 . s theAjax that had picked up the Siren in a sinking con-dition after she had sustained the fusillade of twonights previously. But every foot the Rattlersailed brought her further into the harbor and les-sened the ultimate chances for escape. But thatthere was a plan in Captain Symingtons mind,Edgar did not doubt. He knew that the Rattlerwas as handy as a whip, and he kept his eyes openfor any sudden development. He did not have towait long; there came an unexpected shift of thewind more to the southward just as the Ajax wasslowly heaving abou
. Yankee ships and Yankee sailors : tales of 1812 . s theAjax that had picked up the Siren in a sinking con-dition after she had sustained the fusillade of twonights previously. But every foot the Rattlersailed brought her further into the harbor and les-sened the ultimate chances for escape. But thatthere was a plan in Captain Symingtons mind,Edgar did not doubt. He knew that the Rattlerwas as handy as a whip, and he kept his eyes openfor any sudden development. He did not have towait long; there came an unexpected shift of thewind more to the southward just as the Ajax wasslowly heaving about to go off on the other caught her all aback; the great sails clattered,and her headway stopped. She had missed stays. It is no laughing matter for a big ship to havethis happen to her when approaching a harbor ornearing shallow water. At once the boatswainswhistle began piping away; orders were shouted,and there was trouble below and aloft. But what happened to the clumsily handled craftastern ? She was immediately under the port gal- -,. *She came about like a peg-top.: The Escape of Symington 167 leries, within half a cables length, doddering alongunder foresail and mainsail. At the first sign ofwhat had occurred to the battle-ship there ensueda transformation scene. Have you ever seen an unwilling dog accompany-ing its master on a walk ? how he sneaks close atthe heels, watching his chance when the attentionis not directed to him ? How suddenly he turns j tail, and after a few cautious movements that bringhim beyond the reach of stick or arm, he breaksinto a run at full speed, disdaining call or whistle,and puts back for home ? That is exactly what theRattler did. Scarcely had the canvas of the Ajaxbegun the ominous fluttering that showed the changeof the winds direction, than the privateer swung offto meet it. Slowly at first and then with a rush she cameabout like a peg top. Without an order beinggiven, out broke the great foresail, the topsailsdropped from the g
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