Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-05-06
THE CAPTURED FLAG
ArALE OF THE MoNrEvEDrAN WAR.
BY NED BuNrLlNE.

sCaramba! Que Insolencia!' These words
were uttered by lovely woman, whose
flushed cheek, flashing eye and knitted brow,
spoke even more than words of the indig-
nation which filled her heart.
She was the young wife of Commodore
Coe, the commander of the small navy of
Montevideo. The lady was Spanish by
birth, as well as in feeling, and the cause Of
her anger was the sight of a ship which
had been for two days standing off and on
before the harbor, using every signal of in
suit and defiance to induce the vessel of
Coe to come out and fight him. This the
latter could not do, for two reasons. The
first was illness, which confined him to his
cot-the second, that he had not one third
of crew-not even men enough to work
his battery.
At the moment when she uttered the
words which commence this sketch, Brown
the commander of the Buenoes Ayrean
ship, had hoisted flag at his gaff, whereon
was embroidered, in large legible letters,
the inscription; sCoe the Cowardv This
was more than his noble, fiery wife could
stand-for we'll she knew her husbands
truth and valor. After gazing one instant
at the flag, she raised her jeweled hand, and
taking therefrom diamond of great value
she cried to the officers and men who stood
around her on the deck:
4 will give this diamond to any man who
will bring me yonder fag'
For moment there was no response
The men looked at their officers, the Off
GERS glanced at each other, but volunteers
for service so desperate seemed scarce.
sWhat is there not one of all of you
who dare the trial! Is my husbands ship
indeed manned with cowards?' exclaimed
the lady, while her beautiful lip curled
with scorn and her flashing eye cleaned
with the fire of contempt.
A young officer, an Englishman, who
had been lately appointed, stepped forward
and modestly said:
4 was only waiting for my seniors to
speak, Sonora. Had any one of them VOL
unteered, should have begged to accompa-
ny him. As it is, pledge myself to bring
you yonder flag before the sun rises again,
or to die! But I ask not your jewel as a
prize for my success-one tress of your
glossy hair shall be my reward,'
'You shall have both, brave boyn repli-
ed the young lady-and her cold look of
scorn changed into sweet smile as she
asked his name.
sIt is Frank Bennett, Senora,' replied the
young man-and he blushed beneath her
earnest gaze.
He was slim, but well formed-looked
very young, but in his dark blue eye and
compressed lip, an observer could read one
whose manhood was not made by years
alone.
The sun was setting behind bank ol
slowly rising clouds, which threatened
darkness and storm. The moment that his
services were accepted, young Bennett turn
ed to the crew, and as he glanced among
them, said: Il want six men to man the
whale boat which hangs at the after da-
| Wits 2
Struck by his gallantry, nearly one hall
of the crew started forward. Now that
they had leader volunteers were plenty
Bennett glanced his eye over them, and in
a few moments choose six by name, mer
whom he knew to be both daring and firm
They were Americans.
Go sharpen your cutlasses,' said he q
shall not have pistol or musket in the
boat. If we fight, it must be steel to stee
and breast to breast-for we succeed OF
die!
Those men answered only with look
They were of that class whose motto il
Deeds not Words They hurried below
to obey his orders, while others proceeded
by his directions to muffle the oars of ths
boat, to put sails, water, &c., in it.
'One half hour later the sky was covered
with clouds, and darkness had set in. Ben
nett had been careful to take the compas
course of the enemy's ship when the las
light of the dying day gave opportunity
and by this alone he hoped to find her,
At this time the lady was on deck, standin;
by the pinnacle light, regarding the prepa
rations of the little party who were abou
to shove off. At the moment when tn
boats crew cried out that all was ready 70
start, the young leader came aft to tn
side of the Senore, and taking from his necl
miniature, he handed it and letter to he
saying:
sIfI am not on board at sunrise, lady
please send that miniature to the directio
Of the letter.
The lady looked at the picture. 1t wa
the likeness of a young and beautiful CIR
A tear filled the Senora's eye.
sYou need not go' said she. 'No-yo
love, perchance are beloved. Your life
precious. will not expose it. This is
sMy only sister whom almost adore
interrupted the youth-sbut one who woul
scorn me if played the coward or di
honored my name. Send that letter an
likeness to her if I fall. Farewell till
morrow-or forevern
The lady was about to answer, and |
gain to entreat him to stay-but ere sh
could speak he was over the bulwarks an
, the boat had showed off,
The night was pitchy dark. A cal
n was on the sea and in the air, but II w
potentous Of . storm. A small binnac
!. light and compass had been placed in Il
i. boat, and BY these Frank shaped his cours
. himself taking the tiller and steering.
:, Give way cheenly. mems lon