Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-09-02
The Yankee Ball.
TALE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

fears of the American patriots were alter
: mating, half dozen British frigates were
e lying snug in the Holmes Hole harbor.--
Time hung heavily on the hands of the of.
fcers on board these vessels, and they
availed themselves of every opportunity
J Of breaking in upon its tedium.
The project of ball on shore was got
up, and the hearts of the British officers
bounded merrily at the prospect of the
pleasure in store for them. The Yankee
girls although not remarkably disposed to
smile on British uniform, were neverthe.
less not averse to indulging in little hirta.
ton with those who wore the red coats
Ladies wear the bump of Irritation on
their head the whole world over, and it is
therefore not to be wondered that the girls
in the neighborhood of Holmes Hole were
willing to have few hours qualification at
the expense of the enemies Of their coun-
try. To bring the lion hearts of these Of
icers to terms of capitulation, was an OBJ
Ject not to be resisted; and accordingly
these damsels arrayed themselves in their
bright smiles, and repaired to the festive
hall at the time appointed.
Brilliantly shone every thing on that eve
ming. The officers were there forgetful of
the errand of butchery on which they had
come to the country, and intent only on
winning honeyed looks and love-lit smiles
from the breathing forms around them
The dance went on; and as fair and sylph-
like forms wreathed thro' the mazes, the
proud Brton's forgot their sweet
hearts at home, and yielded up their devo-
tons to the fair strangers before them
Swiftly flew the winged hours away, and
the solemn chime Of midnight swelled the
the air before the sounds of music ceased,
and the parties separated, with the promise
of many such meetings in future.
1t was too late to return to the ships, that
night, and the gallant officers, after discour-
sing of the beauties by whom they had
been entertained, drank toast to woman's
smile, and prepared to retire for the night
Pleasant dreams charmed their slumbers-
fairy forms fitted around their pillows
| away their spirits bounded over the wide
expanse Of waters betw cen them and their
distant homes, and there reveed in half
awakened scenes of former blss--and sleep
to them was repose and blessing No
thought no suspicion had they of coming
evil; but busy with. the past, all forgetful
were they of the power of the future to
bring a saddening change over their hearts,
and they slept away with the smiles oftran-
guilty playing on their sealed features.
But all were not asleep that night. There
were others, counting on fut:re gains and
glories, whose wakeful enterprise banished
slumber from their eyeids, and filed their
hearts with those high sensations which
deeds of chivalrous daring always foster.
10 these 1t is now our duty TO turn.
The Vineyard Sound is about miles
over. While the dance was in progress on
the one shore, preparations of another kind
were in progress upon the opposite one
The tidings of the ball were spread through
out the vicinity, and eighteen brave fellows
agreed to make that night repete with
gloomy as well as brilliant rocoIlectons to
the British officers.
The moon was in her last quarter, and az
she sunk below the horizon, and her grid
ling light vanished from the heavens, a COM
pany of resolute fellows descended the
bank and made TO the waters edge. A
couple of boats were soon unmoored and
launched to the unsteady element, filled with
as gallant crews as ever started on an
eventful enterprise. Every spirit swelled
high as they cleared the foam of the break
ers and the crafts beneath them rode |
gracefully over the gentle pillows.
Now my hearties,' said voice from the
bows of the large boat, the first thing that
| have to ask of you is, that you obey
ORDERS
Aye, aye, captain responded the others.
Then, boys, draw your pistols, and pre-
pare for shot
Every fellow that owned pistol-that
is, canteen or cask-drew it forth and I'M
corked it.
All hands ready! Then my hearties,
twig this toast: Success to the Vineyards,
and bad nights rest to the red coatsp
The toast was duly honored, and every
fellow took down his canteen and replaced
it in his pocket.
Now this is my first order: no word is
to be spoken louder than whisper, be-
tween this and the other shore. The sue
cess you have just drank to, depends on
silence
AYE, ave. muttered all hands.
The oars were muffled to prevent splash
in the water, and onward the boats went
silent Their heads were pointed towards
the .vern where the ball had been, and
ca fellow unused on the scenes which
would transpire on their arrival.
III be shot if | can keep still joe said
youth by the name of Sam Dareall to his
next neighbor, in a whisper. i can't help
that that chiefest of witches, Sally
Renham, is at that party
We'll, what harm if she ISL