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

lights could be seen flying In all directions, and
these were none who saw these movements who
did notfeel the fate of Portsmouth would be de-
cided before morning. All along the coast and on
every emnence commanding view of the vessels
were collected little companies OF speculative
watchers. On little hillock, a few rods from the
shore, the east side of the river. were gathered
ten or twelve men, noting every motion that was
visible, and listening to every sound that came
from the waters.
"Is it not possible to know what is the object of
those water coffins" said an old gentleman, while
he strained his eyes as the darkness grew deeper
1T might be done,' said young man whose face
had been bronzed by familiarity with all weathers,
ait Is nearly dark enough. Come, Bill, what say
you' there won't be so much light as comes from
cats eve in an hour; shall we take boat there and
slip along sdel" Bill, as stout fellow of thirty
was called, could not permit that man younger
than himself, should propose deed he would
shrink from executing, and Immediately signitied
his willingness to join In the almost reckless en-
terprise.
The night was cloudy, the darkness had settled
thick and heavy, the waves looked like black, un.
duated pail, and as though to increase the awful
ness Of their condition the British had exungushed
their lights, after the adventures had launched
their boat, and not an object could be traced in the
almost palpable blackness, the boats length dis
tance. They rowed in silence for some time, and
had gone two thirds Of the distance before either
spoke; Are you sure this is the right course, Ned'"
at lenth said Bill. as they rested on their oars
"Husf, speak lower. No, am not certain, but
we cannot be far from them II but one star would
look out would be better than this eternal gloom.
cannot even see the lights on shore, through this
fog. What murky night we are out in! Gloomy
as graveyard" "Hang the British, had rather
meet legion ofthem by daylight" Whispered Bill,
mood,ly. "But hark! there they lay, dead ahead,
and getting ready to make port too," he continu-
ed. as he heard the low gratngs Of cable, as it
was slowly and cautiously drawn up.
Lightly as the swallows wing the oars dipped
into the brine, silently as the fin OF shark, the
boat cut the water, and directed by the sound ere
the anchor swung at the bow, they gIided unseen
under the very stern Of the large vessel. Here
they held fast for several minutes, in breathless an
xiety to catch some word which should reveal the
desired secret. But the humming of voices out of
which nothing distinct could be gathered, was min.
sled with the winds, signing through the ri ggng,
aud the dashing of the waves against the huge
fabric.
'4i.a their patience nearly worn out, Ned at
length whispered, "Bill if you can keep your hold,
will go aboard and get a full report Of these vii
lians business" The latter was about to reply
when they heard hurried motions on the deck, a
large boat was let down, aud dozen men, all of
whom, by the faint light of lantern, they dscov-
cred to be armed, pushed off towards the shore that
lies south Of the Piscataqua. Scarcely had they
gone, when Ned, with the assistance Of rope that
dragged into the water, climbed to the deck. The
watch was grouped beside a gun carriage, and Ned,
as confidently as though he had been one of the
crew walked by, and reaching the hatchway, de-
sce"ded the lower deck. Here he found himself
among several hundred men, part OF whom were
in their hammocks, but Others, although it was as
dark as dungeon, appeared TO be arranging their
clothes and preparing for some desperate enter
prise.
Almost lost in coniusion he stood motioness at
the bottom of the steps. but he had been there but
moment. when hearing some one approaching
he stepped aside hastily, aud not knowing where
he might be, held out his hands to grope the way.
As chance would have it, he went directly towards
,F. H.
hours sleep before his nights work should COM
mence. Ned quIckening his pace as the step came
nearer. suddenly plunged hi. fingers into the lock-.
Of the sleeper, and with such force that his head
received no inconsiderable. wrench The old tar
leaped to his feet in twinkling. and Ned darted
off like chicken chased by hawk. leaving the
angry sailor daring the whole ships company to try
TO take his scalp off.
He soon learned that il was the intention to
make an attempt to effect an entrance of the har-
Dor that night and the boat he had seen leave the
ship, was gone to examine the chains which had
been thrown across the main channel and if posi-
Bile. saw them. This was all he could learn II
was enough, and he felt there was urgent necessi-
ty Of giving instant warning OF the danger. But
when he rea ched the hatchway, he found the pas.
sage entirely closed by two old veterans, intox
Icated. who had settled themselves to have quiet
time at laudIng Old England and cuIsiug the YAM
KEGS. Ned stood by entirely invisible, but neces-
sariy hearing every word. II was nearly an hour
that he stood waiting for them to rise, and listening
TO their outbreaks Of passion concerning the Amer
leans. aft
"Their men are no bolder than our women, and
their guns are no better than tin horns," said one,
grufiy. "No, Jack" said the other. "and do you
know that once on time, about twenty of our gals
on the coast Of Cornwall dressed like sailors, put
off ina gun boat, and tooka Yankee seventy-four
with no other arms than old swords!" Ned, boil
ing with rage could not hear such slandsr. and re-