Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-04-30

The war-brig hove to at a short distance
and sent boat on board the smuggler.
, 'What vessel is this Q asked the officer
as he approached the spot where Nancy
Maniord was sitting with her infant.
ut is the Diamond,' returned the wo-
man, looking up into the mans face.
'And notorious Smugglcr, too.'
'Yes, sir.'
where are the crewp
'Gone, sir-all gone.'
'How long since p
'Over three houiS, sir.'
round oath fell from the officers Iirs
at Ibis piece Of information. He gazcd
about the deck, and then cast his eyes up
on the shore, where one OF the boats had
been left.
'Why did they leave you here alore q
he asked.
Because would mol Gllow them with
my child. / shall meet my husband again,
and for the present | would rather throw
myself upon your generosity than 10 wan
der OFT | know not where. You will find
the cargo rich one, sir, as the crew have
taken but comparatively few of the ligh,est
articles with them.'
The officer returned to his boat and pull
ed on board his own vessel, and ere long
alter wards the same boat, with several Off
GERS on board, among whom was the cap
tain, was pulled to the beach, where an ex-
animation was made into the appearance
OF things there. Everything seemed TO give
proof of the truth of the woman's story,
and after ascending the bill and being sat-
lsfied that the suuggIers were far out of
reach, the men re-entered their boat and
taking the smuggler's boat in tow, they
came once more TO the Diamond.
The captain questioned the woman, but
her answers were straightforward and pre-
else, and be at length agreed that she
should remain where she was. The hatch
es were taken off, but as The hold appeared
to be snugly packed with the boxes and
bales, no overhanling was done. The stuff
was collected from the deck, and placed
safely in the hold, and then the hatches
were once more secured. The second
lieutenan, ofthe war-brg was put in charge
OF the prize, and there was left with him
passed midshipman, boatswain's mate,
and eight seamen, with directions to run
into Charleston, where the brig would join
them.
Thus matters We're arranged, and before
noon both vessels were standing ou, through
St. Helena Sound.
The distance 10 be run was 50 short, and
a westerly wind so fair, that no precau,ion
had been taken for the safety OF the prize,
more than the efficient crew that had been
put on board, and by the time the darkness
of night had shut in, the two vessels were
out OF sight OF each other, the captor hav-
ing stood farther out 10 sea. ....'....
The first watch had been set, which the
lieutenant KEEP, in person. -Four bells had
lust been struck, when the officer was sur
prised at seeing body Of men issuing from
the iorecastle, and coming towards the
quarterback.
sAre you the officer Of the watch y asked
Manford, as he approached with twenty
stout men at his heels.
The poor lieutenant started back in sud-
den fright.
'Who are you Q he at length gaspcd.
q am the owner and commander of this
brig returned Manford sand as such, am
under the deepest obligation to you for
having safely run my vessel away from the
guns Of that war-brg. Since the coast is
clear once more, | shall of course have no
further use for your services; so you can
make yourselves ready to 90 on shore. l
will give you good boat, and that must
compensate you.'
'Then we have been deceived,' uttered
the lieutenant, in an easier tone, feeling
assured that no personal harm was medita-
ted him or his crew.
'YeS,' said Manford, with a smile
'This is sort OF raSe de gucrre of my
wife's. But you can rest easy under the
satisfaction that you are not the first one
who has been conquered by woman'S wit.'
OF course the officer saw that he was ir-
redeemably trapped, and that argument or
resistance would be equally useless; nei-
ther could he feel very angry, for the bear
ing of the smuggler was kind and gentle
manly in the extreme so without many
words he called his men about him, and
ordered them TO prepare to obey the re-
quests of the man who had SO unexpected
ly appeared upon the stage of action
There was some grumbling among the old
salts at the unlooked-for situation in which
they found themselves, but few words OF
good will from Manford soothed their trou-
bled spirits.
The brig was headed in for the shore, a
man stationed in the chains with the lead
and in less than an hour The prize crew had
entered the boat which had been lowered
for them, and were pulling for The shore,
which was not over three miles Distant
As soon as this was done the smuggler was
put before the wind, an efficient lookout
set, and Victor Manlord Joined his wiie.-
The hearts of the crew were opened wide
to pour forth their willing thanks, and the
} grateful, happy husband pressed her to
his bosom and gave his thanks in joyful
tears.
In three weeks from that time the whole
valuable cargo had been entered at the
customs in New York by merchant who
was glad to do it, the brig was sold, the
men munifcently paid of, and then, with
his heroic wife and lovely infant, he sought
! a home on the beautiful Hudson, where a
, life of virtue and generous hospitality il
, now wiping away whatever OF guilt may
! A aaT