Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-02


his mess to be assigned him, after 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 SEN
tries, there being two upon the poop, one
at each gangway, one on the krecastle,
and one on the bowsprit, besides those
who were stationed at various posts
below, so that ho further notice was
taken OF the new comers after they had
received their bedding, except to give the
sentlnelS additional caution with regard
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 and sultry, and as means of Civ
ing circulation of fresh air, the gun
deck ports were lowered, and from the
place in which he swung he could look
out upon the water as it sparkled beneath
the beams Of the bright moon Tom Law
quiet until about midnight, but as yet he
could think ofno means of escape. Shortly
after that hour had passed, he heard the
relief guard called, and in some ten min
utes the corporal Of the first guard came
down and unlashed the hammock which
hung next to his own, which operation
being performed, he proceeded to undress
himself, hanging his clothes, as he did so,
upon the clews of his hammock. The
four hours duty had given the corporal
an excellent appetite for sleep, and in less
than five minutes after he had touched
his mattress he began to snore.
Now, or never" thought Tom, is
my chance" and with this idea in his
mind he slipped quietly out of his ham,
mock, and proceeded to divest himself of
his own clothes, which having accom-
plished, he very unceremoniously substi-
tuted those of the sleeping corporal in
their place, and then sat down upon the
breech of gun to mediate further on
his plans.
One bell struck, and the sentinels pass
ed the usual Calls WELL" Then Tom
heard the corporal, as he started to 60
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 gallery than our hero
sprang up the ladder and gained the spar
deck. The officer of the deck was aft,
upon the starboard side, the sentrieS were
walking their posts with regular tread,
while the old quartermaster stood upon
the poop, with his night-glass under his
arm. The sentries performed their walk
upon gang-boards raised even with the
hammock-nettings, and running forward
from the ladders. The larboard gang
way was shaded from the light of the
moon by awnings, and walking deliber-
ately up the ladder, Tom looked over the
ships side.
q Sentry" said he, in a mumbling sort
of tone, what boat is that at the
boom z"
The second cutter" returned the ma
rine, showing, by his manner, that he
was not suspicious of the spurious cor
poral.
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 down over his eyes,
and touching his visor respectfully, re-
marked:
Il should like to overhaul that second
cutter, sir, for l think there is rum aboard
of her."
Tom knew he was playing a desperate
game, but liberty was to be the result of
success, and he flinched not.
''Ha the villains" uttered the lieu
tenant, cup 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
ascended no higher, for with one blow of
his fist Tom sent him back from whence
he came, and then sprang quickly out
through the port upon the swing boom,
and having reached the place where the
second cutters painter was made fast,
he hauled the boat up and leaped into her.
The flood tide was setting up the river
very strongly and quick as thought Tom
cast off the painter, rapidly dropping
aStern.
"Help, help" shouted our hero at the
top of his voice, 'sthe boats got loose" ="
''Get out a couple of oars, you lubber,"
cried the officer of the deck, as he jumped
up on the poop on hearing the cry, where
he arrived just as the cutter was sweep
ing past the quarter. ''You can hold her
against the tide"
Tom did get out a couple of oars, but
the moment he got them balanced in the
row locks he commenced pulling for dear
life, and to the utter aStonishment of the
lieutenant, the boat began to shoot rapidly
up the river.