Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-03-28

course OF the enemy 8 ship when the las
light of the dying day gave opportunity,
and by this alone he hopedSto find her. A
this time the lady was Oh The deck, stand
ling by she binnacle light, regarding thu
lpfepaf alionssofthe little party who were a.
bout ID shove 40 .esas =.
Atthe moment when. the boats crew
ivSfe nil Fsndy to start, iheir young leader
eame ATTIC the side Of the senera, and tax :
ing ffem bis necka minAtase.s he banded
il 6kd U leffsfJ lieff, 30 Wing, 3 II an rlot
on board a. sunrise, lady, please send that
miniature to the direction inscribed upon
the letter.'aa a5i - =.
The lady looked at the picture. 1t was
the likeness Of n young and beautiful girl.
A lear filled the senora's eye.
You need not co. said she. sNo; you
love-perchance are beloved. Your life
is precious. will not expose it. This is
My only sister, whom almost ADORE
interrupted the youth; but one who would
scorn me if played the coward, or dishon'
ored my name. Send that likeness to her
if | fall. Farewell till to-morrow-or for.
ever.' @
The lady was about to answer, and again
to entreat him to stay; but ere she could
speak he was over the bulwarks, and The
boat was gone.
'Give way cheerily ,men!-a long,strons
and steady pull!' said he, in low tone, rs
he LEFT the ships side; and he soon felt BY
the trembling Of the frail boat, that his d.
rections were obeyed. Out right into the
offing he pulled, regardless Of the rising
clouds, keeping his eye fixed steadily upon
his compass, until he knew, if the vessel
had remained hove-to as he was at sunset,
that he must be very near her. But he
looked in vain to see a light which might
guide him to her. Admiral Brown was
too 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 n long vivid fash Of lightning
and peal of deafning thunder. He heard
not the thunder; he needed not the rising
storm. The flash Of lightning had shown
him the vessel, not one cables length from
him.
STEADY, boys!-steadyp he whispered,
WREN The thunder ceased; Il shall pull di-
rectly under the stern, and get on deck by
tie carved work and netting on her quar-
ter. o.
The men rowed slowly and silently on,
and as he had marked well her position,
the young officer in moment found him
self under the vessels stern. At this in
slant another flash Of lightning illuminated
the sky and water; and then as he glanc.
ed up at the gaff, where the flag had been
hoisted, he saw that it was not there! Ii
had been hauled down. ......
He paused, thought for. moment what
could be done, and then formed his resolu-
ton. i will go on board alone, men,
said he, keep the boat where she is. If
the flag is where think it is, in the admi-
rails cabin, | will have it. If am not back
in FIVE minutes, and you hear an alarm,
shove OIL, send back to our ship, and tell
them that Frank Bennett died like man.
You must be cautious; reaf the foresaii. for
the storm will be down upon US in less than
ten minutes
All of this was whispered to the men,
whose heads were bent forward to hear the
orders which they dared not disobey, much
as they wished to share their leaders peril.
Springing lightly from the boat, Frank
caught the quarter-nettings with his hands,
and noiselessly ascended to the bulwarks.
He could hear the regular tramp of the of
ficer of the deck, who having already had
everything 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
table, with two of his officers by his side
engaged over the contents of q square bot
tie, which looked very like that usually
found to contain schnaps. t -.-
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 manner to the admiral, i have
come to borrow this banner, sir, TO wear
tomorrow, if you pleaseP
who the devil are you? What does
this mean1' cried Brown, as he and his OF:
6cers. s.sprang to their feet.
Il am Midshipmun Ber nett, sir, of the
Momtevidean servicep replied Frank, who
had now seized the flag, sand | mean te
carry this flag TO Commodore Coe.'
As he said this, he bounded to the cabir
door, followed closely by Ia bullet from
Browns pistol, which grazed his ear, ane
ere the alarm became general, he stood up
on The taffrail Of the vessel.
Look out for me below he shouted, an,
flung himself into the sea, without mo
ment's hesitation. His boats crew recoe
nized his voice, he was caught in mo
ment and dragged into the boat, while
volley ofpistol balls was sent down at ran
] dom by those who were above.
The storm had now broken, and tn
wind began to come in with fierce and Fl
Ifnl gusts 'pP tforeseil' for all! be quick, lads