Opening material

[Illustration: “IT WAS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT WE COULD MAKE OUR WAY TO THE HEAD OF THE DOCK.”]

THE ARMED SHIP AMERICA OR WHEN WE SAILED FROM SALEM

BY JAMES OTIS

AUTHOR OF “THE CRUISE OF THE COMET,” “THE BOYS OF FORT SCHUYLER,” “JENNY WREN’S BOARDING-HOUSE,” ETC.

Illustrated by J. W. KENNEDY

“In the United States every possible encouragement should be given to privateering in time of war with a commercial nation. We have tens of thousands of seamen that without it would be destitute of the means of support, and useless to their country. Our national ships are too few in number to give employment to one-twentieth part of them, or retaliate the acts of the enemy. By licensing private-armed vessels, the whole naval force of the nation is truly brought to bear on the foe; and while the contest lasts, that it may have the speedier termination, let every individual contribute his mite, in the best way he can, to distress and harass the enemy, and compel him to peace.”--_From a letter written by Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1812._

NOTE.

A package of manuscript, the pages of which had evidently been cut from an old ledger or journal, each leaf yellowed by time and worn as if with much use, lately came into the possession of him who, rightfully or wrongfully, claims to be the author of the yarn spun between these covers. Both sides of the paper were covered with writing in a boyish hand, and much of the subject matter related to private affairs such as could be of no especial interest to the general reader. All that had reference to the cruise of the private-armed ship _America_, and the doings of the writer, Nathan Crowninshield, and his comrade, Simon Ropes, has been preserved herein. It is set down very nearly as it was written eighty years ago, by the lad from Salem, who, at the time of preparing the manuscript, was living on Staten Island in New York Bay. That it is a true and faithful account of the eventful cruise, we know full well, since the more important happenings have been verified by documents to be found in the custom-houses at Salem, Boston, and Portland, Maine.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE I. AN OPPORTUNITY 13 II. UNDER WAY 28 III. OMENS 43 IV. GHOSTS 59 V. THE PRISONERS 74 VI. A STERN CHASE 89 VII. A LIVELY SCRIMMAGE 105 VIII. CHEERING INFORMATION 120 IX. THE OUTBREAK 134

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

“IT WAS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT WE COULD MAKE OUR WAY TO THE HEAD OF THE DOCK.” _Frontispiece_

“THE OLD GUNNER STRAIGHTENED HIMSELF UP, SURVEYING BOTH SIMON AND ME.” 30

“‘I AM NOT ASKING YOU LADS TO TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL,’ THE CAPTAIN SAID.” 46

“SUDDENLY I SAW, RISING OUT FROM THE FORECASTLE HATCHWAY, A WHITE MASS.” 62

“‘WE DON’T COUNT ON GIVING A DOUBLE PORTION TO ANY ONE OF YOU THIS NOON.’” 87

“WHAT A CHEER WENT UP FROM OUR MEN.” 131

“WE DIVIDED OURSELVES INTO TWO WATCHES.” 135

“IN ANOTHER INSTANT THE BOARDING PIKE WOULD HAVE FOUND ITS WAY THROUGH MY BODY.” 140

THE ARMED SHIP AMERICA; OR, WHEN WE SAILED FROM SALEM.