The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-11-15
letter and likeness to her if 1 fall! Fare.

gam 10 entreat him 20 stay; but ere she
could speak, he sprang over the bulwarks
and the boat showed off.
Give way cheeriiy, men! "A LONG
pull, strong pull, and pull altogetherl ;
said our young hero, in y low tone. as he
LEFT the ships side: and he soon felt h,
trembling Of the frail boat, that h,s orders
were obeyed. Nf' .. -
The night was very dark. A calm wos
on the deep and in the air; but it was Or
tentous ofa storm. A small binnacle lioh,
anI compass had been placed in the boat
and by these Bennett shaped his course
Himself taking the tiller, and steering
right out into the offing, regardless of the
coming storm and rising clouds. KEEPING
his eve steadily fixed on the compass
knowing that If the vessel had remained
hove-to at sHuset, he must be very near
her. But he looked in vain to sea her
DARK null loom up in the gloom he look.
ed IN vain to see light which mich,
guide him TO her. Admiral Brown was
too old afox to betray his position Inv
lights. gigst# r. - tT7 rN'"' y
a. this moment when he as complete.
~ at loss which way to steer, the ,larl
clouds which lad been gathering overhead
burst with long, vivid flash Of lightning
ana peal OF deafening thunder; but he
heard not the thunder, he needed not the
rising storm. That flash Of lightning had
shown him the vessel not one cahIa,s
length from him.. ..... -,
steady, boys-steady !" he whispered
when the thunder ceased shall pull un-
der her stern, and get on deck by the
carved work and netting on her quar-
ter" a aen ..#f. 7'-''1 49,
The men pulled slowly and silently ON.
and as he had marked well her position.
the young officer found himself close ur,.
der the vessels stern. At this instant an.
other flash Of lightning illumned the sky
anu water; and then, as he glanced up at
the gait, where the flag had been hoisted
ne saw that it was not there-it had been
hauled down.
He paused, thought for a moment
what could be doue, aud ,h.u nDrme., his
resolution. $3.50
Il shall go on board alone, men ~ said
he. Keep the boat where she is IF
the flag is where | think it is-in the ID
mirsrS cabin--I will have it.! IfIam
not back in hive minutes, and you hear
an alarm, shove off and 90 back to our
ship, and tell them that Cochrane Bennett
died like man You must be cautious:
reef the toresail--for the storm will be
down upon us in ten niautes."
All this was whispered to the men.
whose heads were leaned forward to hear
the orders which they dared not disobev.
much as they wished to share their leaders
peril.
SPrInging lightly from the boat, Ben
nett caught the quarter r-nettings with his
hands, and noiselessly assembled TO the
bulwarkS. He could hear the regular
tramp OF the officer of the deck, who, hav
ing already had everything reefed down
for the blow, had nothing to do but 70
pace the deck-for it was so dark that he
could not See him.
a second more, and the brave hoy was
'lown on the deck and at the cabin-door.
which stood slightly open. He peeped
through the crack, and saw the red. faced
old admiral seated at his round table, with
two Of his Officers by his side, engaged
over the contents Of square bottle, which
looked very like that usually found to con.
tain sehnapps
a glance at a set,ee just TO the left OF
the table showed the object of his enter
prise, The flag, for which he had peril.
led bis life, lay there, where il had been
carelessly thrown after it was hauled
down.
The young hero did not pause long TO
consider what to do; but quietly walked
into the cabin, and taking off his cap very
politely to the admiral and officers, said
in calm and courteous manner, to the
admiral. A
Il am come to borrow this flag, to wear
Tomorrow, il you please, ar"
"Who the devil are you? What do
you mean = cried Admiral Brown, rs he
and his officers sprang to their feet.
IL am Midshipman Bennett, sir, Of the
Monte Videan service ~ replied Coch, are
who had now seized the flag; "and mean
to carry this flag to Commodore Coer'
AS he said this, lie bounded to the cab
indoor, followed closely by bullet from
the admral's pistol, which grazed iris ear;
and ere the alarm became general, he
stood upon the taffrail Of the vessel.
"Look out for me belowm r. be shouted,
and flung himself into the sea without
momenrs hesitation. His boats crew re-
cognised his voice he was caught up in
a moment, and dragged into the boat,
while = voiley Of pistol shots was poured
at random oy those who we're above.
The storm bad now broken out, and
the wind began To come in with fierce and
fitfnl gusts.
up foFesail---be in hurry, lads !"
cried the young hero, as soon as he could
draw breath after his ducking.
The crew did so, and the next moment
the little boat was flying on towards the
harbor. before the blast, like sea-bird
lwinging its way TO its young ones most.
J The enemy opened a harmless Gre Of
Rrapesh0t in the direction: but II onlv