Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-10-29

pursue. They opened the gates, and fled
as fast and as far as their feet would carry
them. leaving the town in the qui-
ct and peaceab'e possession Of James
Bunting, who, after shouting vainly for some
time, fell down and slept for couple OF
hours. when he awoke perfectly sober, tho
about as much puzzled at finding himself
alone, and in the enemy's fort, as the poor
man was in the Arabian NIGHTS, when he
suddenly found himself transformed into an
eagle.
Jim rubbed his eyes. He pinched his
legs, and, walking up to tank, actually
drank three mouthfuls of water before he
could believe that he was awake. He then
strut,ed up to the ramparts, and convinced
hlnseIl he was in his proper senses; for
there lay the two frigates, and there floated
the union jack, for which he had often risk
ed his life. "Shlver my timbers! but this is
queer go!' said he; and with that he
twItched up his trowsers, as usual, and
shook the pigtail, which then hung from ev
cry sailors head.
The vessel, perceiving man thus expo
sing himself began to fire at him.
"Avast therer' shouted Jim; but, as they
did not hear him, or attend to him, he ran to
the principal battery, and climbing up the
flag .staff, pulled down the Dutch colors and
hoisted up ragged old turban he found ~
ing in one of the streets. The comman.
ders OF the vessels thought this extremely
odd. Something strange had evidently
happened: so they sent a boat on shore
bearing flag Of truce, carried by the first
lieutenant OF one of the frgates. Unmo-
Tested, the party marched up to the fort;
and, as the gates were open, unmolested
they marched into it. Not soul did they
meet, until Jim strutted up to them.
"HalIoa, YOU sir, what is the meaning Of
this?" said the first lieutenant to Bunting,
in voice OF anger, for it was sadly mira
dig, Tor an officer of his rank to have been
thus sent off to parley with a common sal.
Ior. "What is the meaning OF this.
"Please your honor, hope you wont be
angry leftenant; but somehow or other,
I've taken this place. The enemy have cut
the painter and sheared off,
Jim nodded.
"And, pray, who the devil gave you leave
to do so, should like much to know! Get
on board, sir, directly"
In the meantime, tine lieutenant went
and formally took possession of the place
by running up the British coIors; then wrl
ting a most pompons despatch, in which he
recommended the real captor TO be tried fo
leaving his ship without PERMISSION, he sen
it back by young midshipman, remaining
behind himself, with half.a,dozen sailors, II
order, as he expressed tito garrison the
fort.
Strange TO say his recommendation was
attended to, and Jim Bunting brought to
a court martial, who, most reluctantly, were
compelled to ind him gulty-adjudgnG
him however, to undergo the least possible
punishment that could be inflicted for SC
glaring a breach OF discipline. Jim fel
highly indignant at the turn oil things
He could not help Eancying himself an i'll
used man, but he bore it stoicay. When
however, he heard the verdict delivered
when he heard himself pronounced guilt.
he once more hitched up his neither gar
ments, and exclaimed, in an audible voice
as he left the cabin, "D--n my eyes,
ever | take another fort as long as
live"
Need add that though, to satisfy tn
strictness Of the law, 10 which ali in tn
navy must bow,) the verdict of guilty wa
brought in, he was afterwards amply praise
and rewarded by his superiorsl