The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-12-22
THE ENEMY'S FLAG;
OR,
THE REBORN HOPE.

What injusticel What insolence!"
NJ These words were uttered by lovelj
woman, whose flushed cheek, flashing eye
and knitted brow, spoke even more thar
the words of the Indignation which fllet
her heart. She was the young wife O
Commodore Coe. the commander of tn,
small navy of Montevideo. The lady wa
Spanish by birth as well as feelings, ant
the eauseo of her anger was the sight Of /,
chip which had been for two days standing
of and en- before the harbor, using every
species OF insult and defiance to induce the
vessel OF the commodore TO come out and
fight him. This the latter could not do foi
two reasons: the first was illness, which
confined him to lis cos-the second, tha,
he had no. one. third of crew, and MOI
even men enou ,h to man his battery. ,
Asthe moment when she uttered the
words which commence this sketch, Cap-
tain Brown, the commander Of the Buenos
Ayrean ship, had hoisted flag, whereon
was painted in large characters the insult
ing Inscription Coe. The Coward This
was more than his noble and fiery wife
could stand. for she well knew her hus-
bands truth and valor. After gazing for
one instant at the flag. she raised her Jew
elled hand. and taking off q diamond ring
of great value, exclaimed to the men who
stood around her on the deck aa@
Il will give this diamond to any man
who will bring me yonder aag.
~ For a 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
what is there not one of lof you who
<will dare the trial? Is my husband $ ship
indeed manned with cowards?' exclaimed
the lady, her beautiful lips curling with
seorn, and her flashing eye cleaning with
the FIRE of contempt. ~
A young officer. an Engiishman, who
hadbeen lately appointed. stepped forward,
and modest,y said ast
i was only waiting for ms seniors to
speak, sonora. Had any one of them vol
unteered, ! should have begged to accom-
pany him. As it is. pleIye myself to
bring you yonder flag before the sun rises
again, or todie. But ask not your jewel
as prize for my success--one tress of
yourglossy hair shall be my reward p.
:.'Ypu shall have both, brave boy!' re-
Piled the lady, and her look Of cold scorn
changed into sweet smile as she asked
his name.
1T is Frank Bennett replied the youth,
and he blushed beneath her earnest gaze.
He was slim. but well lormed; looked very
young. but in his dark blue eye and COM
pressed lip an observer could read the
manhood OF mind not years.
The sun was setting behind bank, OF
slowly rising clouds, which threatened
darkness and storm. The moment tha,
his services were accepted, young Bennett
l,turned to the crew. and as he glanced
among them he said
i want six men to man the whale boat.
Struck by his gallantry. nearly one half
,,of the crew started forward. Now that
they had leader, volunteers were plenti-
sful. pBenRett glanced his eye over them,
and chose six. Americans, men whom he
knew to be- both daring and firm.
Go sharpen your cuslasses. said he; !
shall not have. pistol or nusket on board
If we Fl sht. ilmust be sword. and SO we
succeed in cur object orperish.'
The men answered by look. They
were Of that class, who are of deeds. not
words. They hurried below to make their
Preparations. while some of the crew pro.
,.ceeded to mufie the oars. arrange the
sails, DC. One half hour later the sky was
covered with clouds, and darkness had set
in. q sI .aa a.t #. s-.
Bennett had been careful when the las,
light Of the day gaye'opportunity to take
the exact position of the enemy's ship
which was lying affahe shore, and by this
alone chopped to End her. During thii
time the lady was on khe deck. regarding
the arrangements ofahe little party who
were about to, push of. At the moment
when the boats crew cried ont that all was
ready fcf start. theif young leader ap.
preached the sonora. and taking from his
neck 2 miniature. he handed itto her with
,a.iesser. saying-vA sss