The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-11-15
SELECT TALES.
THE HEROIC SAILOR,
A Tale of the Monte videan Service

Cordna6d! Cue InsoLenciai"T The words
were uttered by lovely woman. whose
flushed cheek. flashing eye, and knitted
brow, spoke even more than words the in,
oignat'on which filled her breast. 1
She was the young wife of Commodore
Zoe, The commander of the small navy OF
the State of Monte Vidso.
The lady was Spanish by birth. as well
rs IN feelings, and the cause of her anye,
was the sight sight of ship which had
been Tor two days standing off and ON I've.
fore the harbor, using every signal of in
suit and defiance to induce the shin q,
Commodore Coe to come out. and tigb,
him. This the latter could not do for
two reasons: The first WAS illness, which
confined him to his cot the second. that
ne had not ne.third Of crew-not even
sufficient TO man his guns. ET
AT the moment when she uttered tho
words which commence this tale, Brown,
The Admiral of the Buenos Avres shin
had hoistcd 6aw at his satf, whereon
was embroidered, in legible letters. .Cor
THE COWARD" This was more than his
noble wife could stand for well she knew
her husbands truth snd yalor. .-....
Alter gazing an instant at the flag. she
raised her jewelled hand, and taking from
her finger diamond Of great value. she
cried, to the officers and men who stood
round her on the deck: .af - =
II will give this diamond to any man
who will bring me yonder flagP' ...
For N mnmapk thn.o
the men looked at their ofiicers-the off.
GERS glanced at each other-but yolup.
teers seemed scarce for so desperate SER
what, Is there not one Of all vour
number who dares the trisll Is INV hns.
bands ship, then, indeed, manned by cow.
ards = exclaimed tue lady, while Ter lin
cuyied with scorn, and her sfiasbino, ave
sparkled with the fire of contempt.
A young officer--an American-who
had been lately, appointed, stepped for.
ward, and modcstly said:
IL was only waiting for my seniors to
speak, Sonora. Had any of them volun-
teered, should have begged to acconpa-
ny h'm' rs il is, pledge myself to bring
You yonder flag before the sun rises, or
die IN the attempt! But 1 ask not your
jewel as prize for my success-one tress
ofjyour glossy hair shall be my reward ~
- "You shall have both, brave boy ~ re-.
Piled the lady, and her, cold look of scorn
changed into sweet smile, rs she askeu
his name.
"It IS Cochrane Bennett, Senorar' re-
Piled the youth and he blushed beneath,
her earnest gaze.
de Was slim, but well formed; looked
very young, but, in his dark blue ewes and
compressed lip, AN observer could read one
whose manhood was not made by years
alone.
The sun was setting hehind bank of
slowly rising clouds, which threatened
darkness and storm.
The moment that his services were nc.
cepted, young Bennett turned o the crew
and ms he glanced over them, said:
81 want six men. to mar, the whale. bost
that hangs at the after.dayits!"
Struckhy his galaniry, nearly one hall
OF the crew stepped aft7.-now that they
had n leader, volunteers were plenty..
Bennett glance his eye over them, and in
Few moments he selected six whom he
knew to be both daring and firn--ihey
were American sailors.
"Go sharpen yonr cutlasses ~ said he !:
- shall not have a musket OF pistol in the
boat! five Fight e must be steel to steel
and breast 10 brest-- for we must succeed
or dielg -
The men answered only by look---for
they were Of that class whose motto is !:
Deeds. NOT soords n
They hurried below 10 obey his orders.
while Others proceeded, by his directions,
TO muftle the oars Of the boat, and TO pui
a sail and water into il.
One half hour later, the sky was cover.
ed with clouds, and darkness had set in.
Bennett had been careful to take the COM
pas conr~e Of the enemy's ship when the
last lightof The dying day gave the OBJ
portl'ity-and By this alone lie hoped TO
find her.
Al this time, the lady was on deck.
standing by the binnacle light, regarding
the preparations Of the little party. who
were about to shove off, Al, the the mo.
ment the boat's crew crie,l out that All
vas ready for start, the young leader
came an to the side Of the Senora, and.
taking. from his neck q miniature, he han,
ded y and letter 10 her, saying:
"lf | am not on board ut sunrise, lady.
please TO send the miniature and letter 10
its address,
"The Sonora looke,l at the portrait---is
was the likeness Of = young and beautiful
girl. A tear filed the Senora's eyes.
slon need not gor' said she. .No,
you ioTe7 2erchance are beloved Your
life = precious--I win not expcse itr-
This isiny only sister, whom / almost
sds'fci7 interrupted ihe yosth bas one
who would seorn me IL played the COW.
sal, or dishonored nv namei Sand tba