The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-12-22

'Give way, my lads; long, strong, and
steady pull said he, in a low tone, as he
left the ships side, and he soon felt, BY the
trembling of the frail boat, that his direc-
tons were obeyed. They pulled straigh:
in the direction Of the ship and cut to sea,
regardless of the approaching storm, the
: young officer keeping his eye steadily fix
ed on the compass, until he knew if the
vessel remained in the position she was in
at sunset that he must be very near her.
Buthe looked in vain to see her dark figure
looming up in the gloom. At this mo-
rnent, when he was completely at a loss
which way to steer. the dark clouds which
had been gathering round them burst with
long vivid flash OF tightening. and a peal
of deafening thunder. He heard not tie
thund.r-he needed no5 the rising storm.
That flash oflightning had showed him tie
vessel at shore distance from him. So
q Steady. my men. steady he whisper
ed, when the thunder ceased. i shall
pull directly under her STERN - s.zlea4
/ At this instant another fash of ightning
Illuminated sky and water, and then, as
he glanced up where the flag had been
hoisted during the day, he saw that it was
no longer there: it had been removed. He
paused for moment to think wliatwas 10
be done, and then formed hisresolution.
i shall go on board alone. men. said
he. Keep the boat where she is, exactly.
If the flag is where / think it is, in the cap
tain's cabin, will have it. If I am not
back in five minutes, and you should hear
any alarm. make the best of your way to
the ship and tell the sonora and my mates
that died like man. You must be eau
tious. Take in the sail, for the storm will
be upon US in few minutes .'9a4 g#|
These hasty commands were whispered
to the men, who leant forward in the boat
to catch the orders they dared not disobey,
much as they wished to share their lead
er's. peril. .-.......
Springing lightly from the boat, the
young man caught the nettings, which
were within reach, and noisolessly ascend
ed to the bulwarks He could hear the
regular tramp OF the officer on deck, who,
having everything arranged for the com
ing storm, had but little active business to
occupy him. See him he could not, on
account Of the impenetrable darkness Of
the night. and the care which was taken
to prevent light being used on the ship
that might be the means of betrayin. the
position of the vessel to their enemies on
shore. y a1'l has 7aa s. lisa
! For second he listened with throbbing
heart to the steps as they approached him.
The officer turned once more, and in that
instant the gallant young sailor was down
on the deck and at the cabin door, which
stood slightly ajar. He peepedin through
the narrow crack, and saw red faced old
captain seated at his round table, with two
of his officers by his side, engaged overthe
contents of various bottles. A glance at
a settee just to the left of his table showed
the object Of the enterprise-.he flag for
which he had perilled his life Law there
where it had been carelessly thrown after
i5 was hauled down
The young officer did not pause long to
consider what to do, but quietly walked
into the cabin, and, taking OF his cap, bow
ed very politely to the officers. and as he
stepped towards the flag, said in calm
and courteous manner to the captain
i have come to borrow this banner,
sir, TO wear to morrow, if you have not the
slightest objection?' 7-.'
who the devil are you?'
What does this mean?' cried the cap
tain, as he and his officers sprang upon
their feet, astonished at the extraordinary
proceeding. smv s H-. @
Il am an officer, sir, of the vessel which
is in yonder harbor, said the young man,
who had now seized the flag, and ! mean
to carry this to my commodore.
AS he said this he bounded to the cabin
door. followed closely by bullet from the
captains pistol; and ere the alarm became
general he stood upon the taffrail of the
vessel.
Look out for me below he shouted;
and flung himself into the sea without
moments hesitation. His boats crew re-
Eeognised his voice; he was caughtin mo-
ment and dragged into the boat. while a
volley OF pistol balls was sent down. at
random by those who were above. The
4 A 4 n Al .