Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-05-06
NEW SERIES VOL 4, NO. 9.

gardless Of the rising clouds-keeping his
eye fixed steadily on his compass, until he
knew, if the vessel had remained hove to as
she was at sunset, that he must be very
near her. But he looked in vain to see her
dark hull loom up in the gloom--he looked
in vain to see light which might guide.
Admiral Brown was to old fox to be
showing his position by lights.
AT this moment, when he was complete
ly at loss which way to steer, the dark
clouds which had been gathering over him,
burst with long vivid flash of lightning
and peal of deafening thunder. He heard
not the thunder, he needed not the rising
storm. That flash of lightning had showed
him the vessel, not one cables length from
him.
STEADY, boys!-steady' he whispered,
when the thunder ceased-sI shall pull di-
rectly under her stern, and get on deck by
the carved work and netting on her quar-
ter.'
The men rowed slowly and silently on,
and as he had marked well her position,
the young officer in moment found him
self close under the vessels stern. At this
instant another fash of lightning illumina-
ted sky and water-and then, as he glanced
up at the gaff, where the flag had been hoist
ed, he saw that it was not there 1t had
been hauled down.
He paused-thought for a moment what
could be done-and then formed his reso-
luton.
Il shall go on board alone, men, said he
keep the boat where she is. Ifthat flag
is where I think it is, in the admiral's cab
in. Twill have it. IF am not back in
five minutes, and you hear an alarm, shove
off, send back to our ship, and tell them
that Frank Bennett died like a man. You
must be cautious; reef the foresail, for the
storm will be down upon us in less than
ten minutes
All this was whispered to the men, whose
heads were bent forward to hear their or
ders which they dared not disobey, much
as they wished to share their leaders, peril.
Springing lightly from the boat, Frank,
caught the quarter netting with his hands,
and noiselessly ascended to the bulwarks.-
He could hear the regular tramp of the Off
Ger of the deck, who having already had
every thing reefed down for the blow, had
nothing to do but to pace the deck-but it
was so dark that he could not see him.
A second more and the brave boy was
down on the deck and at the cabin door
which stood slightly ajar. He peeped in
through the narrow crack and saw the red
faced old Admiral seated at his round ta-
BILE, with two of his officers by his side, en-
gagged over the contents of square bottle
which looked like that usually found to
contain schnaps.
A glance at the settee Just to the left OF
this table showed the object of the enter
prise. The flag for which he had periled
his life lay there, where it had been care
lessly thrown after it was hauled down.
The young officer did not pause long to
consider what TO do, but quietly walked
into the cabin and taking off his cap bowed
very politely TO the officers, and as he step
ped toward the flag, said in calm and
courteous tone to the Admiral
Il have come to borrow this banner, sir
to wear to morrow, if you please
'Who the devil are you! What doe.
this mean,' cried Brown, as he and his off.
GERS Sprang to their feet.
q am Midshipman Bennett, sir, of the
Montevidean service' replied Frank, who
had now seized the fag-'and I mean tt
carry this flag to Commodore Coen
AS he said this he bounded to the cabir
door, followed closely by bullet from
Browns pistols, which grazed his ear, ant
ere the alarm became general he stood u
pom the tafrail of the vessel.
Look out for me below!' he shouted
and flung himself into the sea, without {
moments hesitation. His boats crew re
cognized his voice; he was caught in mo
ment and dragged into the boat, while
volley of pistol balls were sent down a
random by those who were above.
The storm had now broken, and the win,
began to come in with fierce and ftfu
gusts.
Cup forsail Be in a hurry, lads VI
foresail, and let her sliden cried the youn
hero, as soon rs he could draw breath afte
his ducking.
The crew did so, and the next momer
the little boat was flying in toward the har
Dor, before the blast, like glad sea bir
winging its way to its young ones nest.
The enemy opened harmless random
fire of grape shot in their direction, but
only served to tell the anxious watchers O
board of Goes vessel that something had os
Cured. The latter therefore at once show
ed lights, and enabled Frank to make
straight course to her.
But it was but an half hour after tn
first gun had been fired by Browns vess'
that the boat of the young adventurer rount
edt to alongside of his own craft.
Have you captured the fagp cried tn
Sonora, as Bennett bounded over the side.
The only answer she received was th
banner, wet as from the water, and cut j
two places by the balls which had been
red at its captor.
The lights of the vessel cleaned not ha
so bright as did that lady's eyes when ST
caught the noble youth in her arms, ar
kissed him again and again.
When is iron like bad note. When it
forged. When is it like stone thrown in
the air! When il is cast When is il like