Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-01-25

whom ne kney 10 be, both daring anC
firm. go sharpen your cutlasses,' saiC
lhe, Il shall not have pistol or muske
lon board. If we fight it must be sworc
Ito sword, and so we succeed in our OBJ
Iject or perish
- The men answered by look. They
were of that class who are of deeds, ne
words. They hurried below to make
their Preparations while some of the
crew proceeded TO smnffie the oars, ar
range the sails, DC. 2 One half houl
later the sky was covered with clouds
land darkness had set in.
l. Bennett had been careful when the
last light of the day gave opportunity
to take the exact position of the enemy:
lship, which was lying off the shore,
and by this alone be hoped to be able tc
find her. During this time the lady
was on the deck, regarding the arrange
ments of the little party who were about
to push off, At the moment when the
boats crew cried cut that all was ready
for a start their young leader ap-
preached the sonora, and taking from
his neck a miniature, he handed it to
her with letter, saying
IF 1 am not ON board by sunrise,
lady, you will fulfil sailors dying wish
| if you transmit these to the direction of
the letter. y -
The lady looked at the picture, it was
the likeness of Young and beautiful
girl. A tear started to her eye. ~
'Ah, forgive me, 'she exclaimed, who
would in moment of passion, have
perilled the life of one who has other
duties and ties which bid him live
Your life is precious. will not expose
it. 49,, .rr,7-70 ~
This is my only sister, whom l al
most ADORE interrupted the youth. but
one who would blush for me if 1 played
the coward, and dishonored the name of
my brave father. Send the letter, seno-
ra, and the likeness, if 1 fail. Fare
well till tomorrow, or foreverp
The lady was about to answer, and
again to entreat him to stay, but in an
instant he was oyer the side, and the
boat pushed of. .TFgEI0HG
The night was pitchy dark. A calm
was on the sea and in the air, but it
was portentious of a storm. A small
light and compass had been placed in
the boat, and by these the young sailor
shaped his course.
'Give way, my lads; a long, strong,
and steady pull, said he, in low tone,
as he left the ships side, and he soon
felt, by the trembling of the frail boat,
that his directions were obeyed. They
pulled straight in the direction of the
ship and out to sea, regardless of the
approaching storm, the young officer
keeping his eye steadily fixed on the
compass, until he knew if the vessel re-
manned in the position she was in at sun
set, that he must be very near her,.
But he looked in vain to see her dark
figure looming up in the gloom. At
this moment, when he was completely
at loss which way to steer, the dark
clouds which had been gathering round
them burst with long vivid flash of
and peal of deakening thun-
der. He heard not the thunder, he
needed not the rising storm. That flash
of lightning has showed him that the
vessel was at short distance from him.
Steady, my men, steady he whis-i
pered, when the thunder ceased, i shall
pull directly under her stern At this
instant, another fash of lightning illu-
minated 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 re-
moved. He paused for moment to
think what was to be done, and then
formed his resolution.
Il shall 90 on board alone said he
Keep the boat where she is, exactly.
If the flag is where l think it is, in the
captains cabin, 1 viii have it. If | 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 master that 1 died like man. You
must be cautious. Take in the sail, for
the storm will be upon us in a few min
utes.' Cll la
These hasty commands were whis
pered to the men, who leant forward in
the boat to catch the orders they dared
not disobey, much as they wished to
share their leaders perils. ia
Springing lightly from the boat. the
young man caught the MEETINGS which
were within reach, and noiselessly as
cended to the bulworks. He could hear
the regular tramp of the officer on deck,
who, having everything arranged for
the coming strom, had but little active
business to occupy him. See him he
could not, on account of the impenetra-
BILE darkness of the night, and the care
which was taken to prevent light being
used on the ship that might be the
means of betraying the position of the
vessel to their enemies on shore. -
For second he listened with a throb-
bing heart to the steps as they approach
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.--l
He peeped in through the narrow crack,
and saw red faced old captain seated
al his round table, with two of his Off
GERS by his side, engaged over the con-
r. x-o-.o,,. hofiloe A L. L..