Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-04-30
4 Select Iale.
THE SMUGGLERS' WIFE.
A SEA SKETCH.
By sYLvANUS COBB, JR.

beach just within a deep cove near the
mouth ofthe Ashepoo river, on the coast of
South Carolina, were collected strange
group. They were smugglers, as any one
would have judged, TO have seen them.-
Apart from the rest, sitting upon an empty
cask, We're a man and women, the former
middle aged person, of much personal
beauty, and possessing countenance ind-
catlve of kind but daring heart. He was
the s1nuggler cap,ain-his name Victor
ManIord. The female by his side was his
wife, and she was in reality lovely wo-
man, small, but yet commanding look,
and owning heart filled with true love
and firmness. In her arms she bore an in
iant, which was shielded from the wind by
the ample folds of thick shawl.
Near the shore, riding at single anchor,
lay heavy brig. Her sails were hanging
in the buntlines, and the men who We're
left upon her decks were engaged in the
lower rigging. She had entered the cove
for double purpose. She had escaped a
storm, and at the same time run away from
a war-brig thet had given her chase. The
storm had passed away, but with regard to
the vessel of.war the smugglers were not
sure.
Nancy said the smuggler captain,
turning 10 his wife, SIS not this air too
harsh for you!'
NO Victor,' returned the woman, with
kind, but yet anxious tone.
'You had better go on board the brig
sNot until YOU co.
'BIt l must wait till our lookout comes
back
Then will wait with you.'
Manford was upon the point OF urging
his wife further, but as he cast his eye up
the steep hill behind him he saw one Of
his men coming down. ...
'Ha, here comes Shapley,' he uttered,
starting 10 his feet, while a shade of ankle
ty passed over his features. And in few
minutes more the lookout stood by the side
of his captain. ...... ......
sYou look troubled, Shapley.'
Yes, captain. The brig is entering The
| Sound.'
sThen she must be coming in here
'Of course
sBut she cannot know that we are here.
81 think she does.'
sShe could not have seen u.s.
sNo,-but another did. You remember
we passed fisherman last night
sYes'
sWelI, I have been watching the war
: brig for the last half hour. She spoke q
small boat that had put out from the sound
and Immediately afterwards she hauled
upon the wind and stood this way
'How near is she g
She's in St. Helena Sound now.'
For some moments the captain remained
silent. His eye rested for an instant upon
the form of his young wife, and then they
were bent nervousy, anxiously, to the
ground.
'Shapley,' he at length uttered, bis voice
trembling with an unwonted excitement
'all is lost p
Lost y replied his wife.
'Yes, Nancy. You must know the
truth. There is no earthly way for us ia
get out Of this cove, nor can We fight the
| brig.'
Then what will you do asked the
woman, while her eyes betrayed nought o.
fear.
Il don't know--I don't know criee
Manford, clasping his hands over his brow
and settling back upon his seat.
sLet us not fear, captain said Shapley
III we cannot fight them, we can at leas
escape inland.'
'Fear!' uttered Manford, starting VI
from his seat. you know not the thought
that dwell in my soul, il you think l coul
fear for myself. ! was fool to run il
here.'
sBut the storm would have wrecked Il
on the coast,' said Shapley.
'True,' continued the captain regardin
his mate with half vacant look. $50
would; but we had the possibility Of
chance then, but now we have none. Yo
! say we can escape inland. So we can, b.
ali am worth in the world in property
is on board my vessel. That l could sin
in the sea, were il not for my wife an
child; but they must not 60 penniless.'
= Then we can fight uttered Shaple,
so we can, but / would not. ! new
yet split drop Of human blood, and cal