Feb.] 



RETALIATION, OR THE YANKEE JOKE. 



135 



salute, and every other testimony of respect which national etiquette 

 has rendered customary on such occasions. After showing them 

 every thing worth seeing on deck, with which they appeared much 

 pleased (as the vessel had just been thoroughly repaired, and every 

 thing was in order), I directed their attention to our national flag, which 

 was proudly waving at the main-royal-mast head. The American 

 stars, of course, received some compliments from my honourable 

 guests, to which I made a suitable reply, and led the way to the cabin, 

 where as good a breakfast as their market could furnish was smoking 

 on the table. 



In a few minutes we were all seated at the breakfast-table, directly 

 over which was a large sky-light, now uncovered for the benefit of the 

 fresh air. Through this spacious opening my guests frequently gazed 

 upwards to the star-spangled banner waving over their heads, and always 

 with some allusion to the glorious cause of liberty. Pleasure beamed 

 in every eye, and every visage glowed with jocular good-humour and 

 the ardour of patriotism. 



We had probably been thus engaged for about fifteen or twenty min- 

 utes, when the sudden report of one of our guns startled every man at 

 table like a shock of electricity. All eyes were turned upwards, and 

 were almost blighted at the spectacle they beheld. The banner of 

 despotic Spain was now waving where the flag of freedom had just 

 before been seen. Everyone of my thunderstruck guests dropped his 

 knife and fork in dismay, and some of them started from the table and 

 attempted to rush upon deck. But they found the companion-way 

 guarded by a double sentry, who permitted no one to pass. All now 

 reseated themselves in silent consternation, while every eye was directed 

 to me for an explanation. I first broke silence in the following words : — 



" Gentlemen, you are all prisoners of war to the Spaniards ; cap- 

 tives under that flag from which you have wickedly revolted. Now 

 mark me ! Unless you ransom yourselves in two hours, with the sum 

 of ten thousand dollars, I shall take you all to Chiloe, and deliver you 

 up to General Quintenela." 



So soon as they could recall their scattered senses, they saw the 

 reasonableness of this proposition, and called for pen, ink, and paper, 

 to execute draughts for the sum required. When I had enjoyed their 

 perplexity for some minutes, I thus accosted them : — 



" Gentlemen, yesterday you saw fit to practise a very serious joke 

 upon me ; this morning, being the feast of St. Valentine, has furnished 

 me the opportunity of a pleasant retort. Myself and crew were last 

 evening in your custody — you are now in mine. I have had my re- 

 venge without bloodshed. We are once more on an equal footing. 

 The star-spangled banner of my beloved country is again floating over 

 us. We are all freemen — we are all republicans. So, gentlemen, if 

 you please, we will resume the pleasures of the table, and finish our 

 breakfast with renewed appetites, and the same good-humour which 

 distinguished its commencement." 



This unexpected explanation instantly restored every thing to its 

 original state of harmony and jocularity. Every face glowed with 

 pleasure, and every eye beamed with amity and confidence. All united 



