The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-07-09

"Tben, SIR" replied Tom, while hi.
eyes flashed fire, "you will do it at YOU
peril. Already have your people run up 9
heavy reckoning, and the day shall ye
come when your king will have to settle
it. | am exempt by your own laws, from
impressment, and you know it."
The captain showed little anger as oul
hero spoke, but turning to one Of his lieu.
tenants, he said: -se.-.--
| "Mr. Monson, have these mems names
entered, and then station them and mess
them;" and without further remark he walk.
ed aft 10 his cabin.
In moment Toms mind was made up,
and without resistance or remark Of any
kind, he allowed his name to be entered
on the purser's books, and his station and
mess to be assigned him, alter which a
hammock and bedding were served out to
him, and he was directed to "turn in' as
soon as possible.
The frigate was well guarded by sentries,
there being two upon the poop, and one at
each gangway, one on the bowsprit, be-.
sides those which were stationed at various
posts below, so that no further notice was
taken Of the new comers after they had re.
ceived their bedding, excepting to give
the sentnels additional caution with re-
gard to watching we'll that no one left the
ship unless he was passed by the officer of
the deck.
Toms hammock was already clewed,
and having hung it up, he turned into it
without undressing. The night was warm
an sultry, and as MEATS OF giving cir.
culation Of fresh air, the gun.deck ports
were lowered. and from the place in which
our hero swung he could look out upon
the water, as it sparkled beneath the beams
of the bright moon. Tom lay quiet until
midnight, but as yet he could think of no
means Of escape. Shortly after that hour
had passed, he heard the releaf guard
called, and in some len minutes the corpo-
raj of the first guard came down upon the
gun.deck and unlashed the hammock
which hung next to his own, which opera.
ton being performed, he proceeded to un.
dress himself, hanging his clothes, as he
did so upon the hammock. The four
hours duty had given the corporal an ex.
cellent appetite for sleep, and in less than
five minutes after he touched his mattress,
he began to snore.
"Now, or never,," thought Tom, sis my
chances" and with this idea in his mind,
he slipped quietly ou, from his hammock.
and proceeded to divest himself of his
own clothes, which having been accom-.
plished, he very unceremonously substi-
tuted those of the snoring corporal in this
place, and then sat down upon the breech.
ing of gun TO mediate further upon his
plans. ... .... |
One bell struck, and the sentinels pass
ed the usual calls we'll" Then Tom
heard the corporal, as he started to 90 his
rounds, and ere long he descended the
main-hatch ladder to visit the posts be.
low. No sooner had the marine officer
passed beyond the galley, than our hero
sprang up the ladder and gained the SPAR
deck. The officer Of the deck was aft up.
on the stabbord side, the sentres were
walking their posts with regular tread,
while the old quarter.master stood upon
the poop, with his night.glass under his
arm. The senries performed their walk
upon gang.boards raised even with the
bottom Of the hammock-nettings, and run
ming forward from the ladders. The lar
board gangway was shaded from the light
of the moon by the awnings, and walking
deliberately up the ladder, Tom looked
over the ships side.
"Sentry," said he, in mumbing sort
of a tone, "what boat is that at the boom?"
"The second CUTTER" returned the ma.
rine, showing by his manner that he had
no suspicious of the spurious corporal.
Tom Immediately walked aft to where
stood the officer of the deck, and being
quite assured by the mistake of the sentry,
he pulled his cap over his eyes, and,
touching his visor respectfully remarked.
''l should like to overhaul that second.
cutter, sir, for think there is rum aboard
of her." ..as. .ssr.g
Tom knew he was playing a desperate
game. but liberty was 10 be the result of
success, and he flinched not hair.
"Ha! the villains" uttered the leuten-
ant. "Up to their old tricks again. Go,
CORPORAL get down into the boat, and if
you do find rum in her, they'll catch it,"
Tom started quickly forward, but just
as he got abreast Of the fore-hatchway, he
saw the Simon pure corporal's head rising
above the combings. The marine ascen-
ded no higher, for with one blow of his fist
Tom send him back from whence he
came, and then sprang quickly out through
the port upon the swinging boom, and ha-
wing reached the place where the second
cutters painter was made fast, he hauled
The boat up and leaped into her. The
food tide was setting up the river very
strongly. and quick as thought Tom cast
off the painter, and rapidly dropped
astem. ",i b y YssH.l .te gl'iU
J"Help, help!" shouted our hero, at the
top Of his voice; ''the boats got loose"
"Get out couple Of oars, you lubber,"