The true Democrat., 1854-08-09
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IH6hc du deIcupt VO eneCC an eutTauCe GO tuo harbor that night, and the boat he had seen leave the ship was gone to examine the chains which had been thrown across the main chan nel, and if possible saw them. This was all he could learn. It was enough, and he felt there was urgent necessity of giving instant warning of the danger But when he reached the hatch way he found the passage entirely closed by two old veterans half intoxicated, who had set- tied themselves to have a quiet time at landiug old England and cursing the Yankees. Ned stood by entirely invisible, but necessarily hear ing every word. It was nearly an hour that he stood, waiting for them to rise, and listening to their outbreaks of passion concerning the Americans.
 "Their men are no bolder than our women, and their guns are no better than tin horns," said one gruffly. "No, Jack," said the other, and do you know that once on time, about twenty of our gals on the coast of Cornwall, dressed like sailors, put off in gun-boat and took Yankee seventy four with no other arms than old swords?" Ned, boiling with rage could not hear such slander and regardless of the consequences, roared out" That's lie, you old dog" Both sailors shook as though the magazine had exploded, plunged toward him, and awakened to sense of his situation by his own voice, Ned sprang out of their reach, and as soon as the uproar had in some degree sub- sided, made his way on deck-but here an un- expected event occurred. The boat which had left just before he came on board had just re- turned, and the crew when he stepped on deck, were in the act of lifting up prisoner. Deter mined, if possible, to know who he might be, he elbowed his way with admirable coolness, and succeeded in taking the arm of the prisoner. While notice of their success was passed below, Ned found and opportunity to whisper word of encouragement in the poor fellows ear, and when the orders were given that he should be conducted to the cabin, Ned stole aft and drop- ped into the boat
 The prisoner found the cabin furnished in an elegant and even sumptuous style Sofas, bookcases, and tables of the costliest wood, rested on a carpet that trod like velvet Mir TOTS, ot enormous dimensions, reflected the oc- cupants at full length on every side. lamp hung above a rack that looked like dazzling pyramid, so rich were the polished sword blades and jeweled hilts, the silver scabbards, the var nished pistols, the steel sabres and the guns touched with the highest finish that skill could give them Flower vases, filled with beautiful exotcs were fastened to stand, diffusing an agreeable odor through the cabin. An old man, with snow-white hair and thoughtful brow, sat ln an antique chairof carved oak, fashioned af- ter such luxurious pattern that one mi ght have lounged his life out in 1t, and never grow wea- ry. gir the daughter of the old man, with such sweet countenance as can only belong to a pure mind, and with lips as tempting as her own rose-buds, was reading when he entered. The prisoner was brought before the hard flea tured veteran, and the officers arranged them selves about at respectful distances
 "Young man, said the old commander, with severe frown and penetrating look, "remem- Der 1t IS the truth of what you shall say, on which your life depends; any attempt at de- ceptlon in my presence, will cause you to be hung immediately at the vard-arm. Who are you?'
 " A soldier of the American army"
 And what duty were you performing on shore?"
 "That of sentinel, to watch for the approach of the murdering British"
 Birdie your nsolence, young man; you did not perform your duty so we'll that you can boast of your occupatlon.''
 "Ask your servant which was the hardest. his head or my gun-stock. Icould not dissolve the night, but swept away the cobwebs that clouded the stars before his eyes,"
 Slr,'' said the veteran, in voice hoarse with anger, which he strove to conceal; "what is the force assembled this night in Portsmouth, and if you deceive me you shall die at day. break"
 "This morning it was proclaimed that it numbered thirty thousand and they have five hundred cannon in town, ready to blow your old hulks out of the water, like cookie shells. Ii you are so fortunate to float after the forts have the sitting of you.''
 The old commander clenched his fist, his face grew white as his cravat and he would have ordered the fearless soldier to instant punish ment for his bold reply had not his daughter, who had stolen to his side, pressed his arm, and breaking into tears, whispered mercy An an- gels tears will melt iron, or at all events an iron soul, and his countenance lost its sternness as he gently put her aside, directed that the SOL dier should be secured and guarded on deck for the night
 As he left the cabin, the girl, unseen by her father, threw her arms about the soldiers shoul- ders and he, touched by such unlocked for kindness, murmured fervent blessing on her young heart.
 The night grew darker as the minutes glid- ed by. The mist was so dense that it was m- possible to distinguish even the outlines of an object six feet distant, and it seemed as if the clouds rested on the waves and enveloped the ship.
 The hands and feet of the prisoner were then ironed, and he was lashed by rope to gun carriage. The watch that was set over him walked the length of the deck, momentarily passing and repassing, thusrendering escape by his unaided efforts impossible. Ned, having again climbed on board, had observed them fas- ten the prisoner, and waited fit time to spring and rescue him; and it was when the sentinel passed him to go to the bow that he glided to the prisoner-with thrust with knife he se- vered the cords that bound him to the gun, lifting him in his arms as though he was an in- fant, hastened to the stern and swung him into the boat. As for life they piled their oars, but they had scarcely left the ship when they heard the alarm given upon the deck. Calls for lights, and shouts that the prisoner had escaped, fol- lowed. Lanterns flew through the ship, and all was confusion. The bold fellows in the boat saw all, and felt in that deep darkness that it was impossible for the British to overtake them; and, although within pistol shot, they were unable to restrain their joy, but with that fearlessness that characterizes American sol-