The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-03-03
9eCett g6fe.
THE YANKEE BALL.
A Tale Of the Revolution.


Holmes Hole is harbor well known
10 all navigators of the coast of New
England. During the year 1871, while
the hopes and fears of the American pa
triots were alternating, half a dozsn
British frigates were lying snug in the
Holmes Hole harbor. Time hung heavi-
ly on the hands of the officers on board
their vessels, and they availed themselves
of every opportunity OF breaking in upon
Its tedium.
The project of ball on shore was rot
up, and the hearts of the British officers
bounded merrily at the prospect of the
pleasures in store for them. The Yam
kee girls, although not remarkably dis
posed 10 smile on British uniform, were
nevertheless not adverse to indulging in
little Irritation with those who wore the
red coats. Ladies wear the bump of fir
tation on their heads the world over, and
tits 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 country. Tobring the lion hearts
of these officers TO terms of capitulation,
was an object not to be resisted; and ac-
cordingly these damsels arrayed them
selves in their bright smiles, and repaired
10 the festive hall at the time appointed.
Brilliant shone every thing on that
evening. The officers were there forget
ful of the errand of butchery on which
they were come TO the country, and in
tent only on winning honeyed looks and
loye-lit smiles from the breathing forms
around them. The dance went on; and,
as fair and sylph-like forms wreathed
thought he mazes, the proud Britons for
got their sweet-hearts at home. and yield
ed up their devotions to the fair strangers
before them. Swiftly flew the winged
hours away, and the solemn chime of
midnight swelled the air before the
sounds of music ceased, and the parties
separated, with the hope OF many such
meetings in future.
Ii was too late to return to the ships
that night, and the gallant officers, after
discoursing on the comparative merits Of
the beauties by whom they had been en-
tranced, drank toast TO wOman's smile,
and prepared to retire for the night
Pleasant dreams charmed their Eslumbers
fairy forms firted around their pillows
away their spirits bounded over the
wide expanse of waters between them
and their distant homes, and they revelled
in half-awakened scenes Of former bliss
and sleep to them was a repose and
blessing. No thought, no suspicion had
they of coming evil; but, busy with the
past, ali forgetul were they of the power
ofthe future to bring saddening change
over their hearts, and they slept away
with the smiles of tranquility playing up
on their sealed features.
But all were not asleep that night
Rhere were others. counting on future
gains and glories, whose wakeful enter
prize banished slumber from their eye
lids, and filled their hearts with those
high sensations which deeds of chivalrous
daring always foster. To these il is now
our duty to turn.
The Vineyard Sound is about five
miles over. While the dance was in
pFDgEcSS Ol tllc oiiC SAtOASs PAC CPoih hNioiio
of another kind were in progress on the
opposite one. The tidings of the ball
were spread throughout the vicinity, and
eighteen brave fellows agreed TO make
that night replete with gloomy as well
as brilliant recollections to the British Of
fcers.
The moon was in her last quarter, and
as she sunk below the horizon, and her
girdling light vanished from the heavens,
company of resolnte fellows descended
the bank and made TO the waters edge.
A couple ol boats were soon unmoored
and launched on the unsteady element,
filed with as gallant crews as ever start
edon an evendul enterprise. Every spir-
itswelled high as they cleared the foam
of the breakers and the crafts beneath
them rode gracefully over the gentle bill
lows.
snow, 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"
save, aye, captin," responded the 9TH
ers.
"Thcn boys. draw your pistols, and
prepare for shot"
Every fellow that owned pistol-that
is, a canteen or fask-drew it forth and
uncorked it
"An hands ready! Then. my hearties