The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-01-17

lifting up sprisoner. Determined, If possible, to
know who he might be, he elbowed his way with
admirable cooIness and succeeded in taking the arm
Of the prisoner While notice Of their success was
passed below, Ned found an opportunity to whis-
per word of encouragement in the poor fellows
ear, and when the order was given that he should
be conducted to the cabin, Ned stole aft and drop
ped into the boat.
The prisoner found the cabin furnished in an ele-
giant and even sumptuous style. Sofas, book cases,
and tables Of the cosest wood, rested OH a carpet
that trod like velvet. Mirrors of enormous dimen-
sions, reflected the occupants at full length, on
every side. lamp hung above rack that looked
like dazzling pyramid, so rich were the polished
sword blades and jeweed hilts the silver scabbards
the vanished pistols the steel sabres and the guns,
touched with the highest finish that skill could
give them. Flower vases. filled with beautiful ex-
Otics were fastened to stand, dfusing an sgreea-
BILE odor through the cabin An old man with snow
white hair and thoughtful brow, sat in an antique
chair of carved oak, and fashioned after such lux
urious pattern that one might have lounged his life
out III it, and never grew weary A girl, the
daughter OF the old man, with such sweet coun-
tenance as can belong only to pure mind, and
with lips tempting as her own rose buds, was
reading when he entered. The prisoner was
brought before the hard-featured veteran, aid the
officers arranged themselves about, at respectful
distances.
"Young man," said the old commander, with a
severe frown and penetrating look, remember il
is the truth OF what you shall say, on which your
life depends any attempt at deception in my pres
ence, will cause you TO be hung Immediately at the
yardarm. Who are you'"
"a soldier of the American army"
'.And what duty were you performing on shore'''
"That of sentinel to watch for the approach OF
the numbering British"
"Brdle your insoeDce, young man; you did not
perform your duty SO well that you eau boast Of
your occupation" =
"Ask your servant which was the hardest, his
head or my gun stock. could not dissolve the
night, but swept away the cobwebs that clouded
before the stars before his eyes,
"Sir," said the veteran, in voice hoarse with
anger. which he strove to conceal, "what is the
force assembled this night in Portsmouth, Recol.
lect that shall know before morning, and if you
deceive me you shall die at day break"
"This morning it was proclaimed that It number.
ed thirty thousand, and they have five hundred can.
non il town, ready to blow your old hulks out Of
the water, like cookie Shells you are so fortunate
as to float after the forts have the sitting of you
The old commander clenched bis fist his face
grew white as his cravat and he would have order
bold reply. had not his daughter. who had stolen to
his side, pressed his arm and breaking into tears,
whispered mercy. An angels tears will melt iron
at all events, an IRON SOUL and his countenance
lost its sternness as he gently put her aside, and
directed that the soldier should be secured and
guarded OIL the deck for the night.
As he left the cabin, the girl unseen by her faith
er, threw her arms about the soldiers shoulders.
and he, touched by such unlocked for kindness,
murmured afervent blessing on her young heart.
The night grew darker as the minutes glided by.
The mist was so dense that it impossible to dis
tingush even the outline of an object six feet dis
tant; and it seemed that the clouds rested on the
waves and enveloped the ship.
The hand; aud feet of the prisoner were then
roncd, AID he was lashed by rope to guncar-
riage. The watch that was set over him walked
the length o.! the deck, momentarily passing and
repasSing, thus rendering escape by his united
efforts impossible. Ned having again climbed on
board. had observed them fasten the prisoner. and
waited fit time to sp'ing and rescue him; and it
was when the sentinel passed him to 60 TO the bows
that he glided to the prisoner thrust with
knife he severed the cords that bound him to the
gum and lifting him in his arms as though he were
infant, fastened to the stern and swung into the
boat. As for life they played their oars, but they
had scarcely left the ship, when they heard the
alarm given upon the decks. Calls Tor lights and
shouts that the prisoner had escaped, followed =
Lanterns flew through the ship. and all was con-
fusion. The bold fellows in the boat saw all, aud
felt in that deep darkness, that il wasimpossbe for
the British to overtake them, and although within
pistol shot they unable to Restrain, their joy,
but with that fearessness that charactcrizos Amer
ican soldiers, rested on their oars and gave three
hearty cheers Scarcely had the last hurrah left
their lips, than stream Of fire shot out from the
ship. and the deep boom of the cannon awakened
them to their folly. Though fired at random,
they heard the ball whistle by, very near them
The boatswan's shrill call to quarters rose on the
night, and the sailors expecting an attack every
moment, rushed to defend the decks.
Our heroes reached the shore safely. and the SEN
tnel released OF his shackles, ready to resume
his arms and bis duty. The night passed heavily
and in suspense, and the from its bed look
ing cold as an cicle. The sea was blue but calm,
and every ship was gone, and not speck dotted it
from the shore TO the horizon. The British had
given over all attempts on Portsmouth, but wheth-
er restrained by the crafty story Of the Sentinel,