he "Sally,"
as by the dim light of the lanterns they saw that the officer wore a
British uniform. The officer himself could not repress a start and
exclamation of surprise as he saw a band of officers in naval uniform,
and a large body of blue-jackets and marines, on the vessel which he
expected to find manned by a half-dozen lanky Yankees, commanded by a
down-east "skipper."

"Why, what ship's this?" he exclaimed in surprise, as he looked upon
the armed men about him. Lieut. Hull, who was in command, explained to
him the situation, and told him of the adventure that was being
attempted. The officer seemed much disappointed, and told Mr. Hull
that the British frigate was standing about outside the harbor, to
capture the "Sandwich" as she came out; but the idea of so boldly
setting at naught the principles of neutrality had not occurred to
them. After a few minutes' conversation, the visitor returned to his
ship, and the "Sally" proceeded on her errand. She reached the
entrance to the harbor of Port Platte in the morning, and sailed
boldly in. Most of the crew and the marines were hidden beneath the
bulwarks, or sent below; so that the people on the "Sandwich" gave but
a glance to the approaching vessel, until she ran so close to their
vessel's bows that they feared an accident.

"Look out there, or you'll run foul of us!" shouted a mate from the
deck of the "Sandwich"; and, as if his cry was a signal, the helm of
the "Sally" was put down, the vessel ranged up alongside, and in an
instant a torrent of armed men poured over the sides of the surprised
Frenchman, and drove the crew below. There was no resistance. The ship
was captured in five minutes. The marines of the expedition had been
sent ashore to spike the guns of the battery, and their work was
performed with equal promptitude. Then all hands set to work rigging
the captured vessel, and getting her ready for sea. On the shore the
people were in the greatest excitement, beating drums, parading the
few militia, and threatening dire revenge in the name of outraged
Spain. But the captors of the vessel paid but little attention to
their enemies; and by sunset the "Sandwich," with all sails set, left
the harbor, and joined the United States squadron.

The news of this achievement, lawless as it was, evoked great
enthusiasm in the United States. A nation's conscience is elastic; and
the people praised the heroes of the "Sandwich" episode, much as
sixty-five years late