Squatter sovereign., 1855-03-20
Mlisefuaneotls.
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THE CAPTURED BANNER.
BY NED BuNrLINE.

"CARAMBA. Our INsoLENcIA! These
words were uttered by a lovely woman
whose flushing eye and knitted brow spoke
even more tEan word Of the indignation
which filed her heart.
/ She was the young wife of Commodore
coe, the commander Of the small navy at
Montevideo. The lady was. Spanish by
| birth, as well as in feeling, and the cause
of her anger was the sight ofa ship, which
had been for two days standing off and on
before the harbor using every signal of in
suit and defiance to induce the vessel OF
Coe to come out and fight him. This the
latter could not do for two reasons. The
first was illness, which confined him to his
cot; the second that he had not one third of
q crew not even men enough TO work his
| battery.
At the moment when she uttered the
words which commence this sketch, Brown,
the commander OF the Buenos- Az yrean ship,
had hoisted flag at his gaff, whereon
was embroidered, in large leigible letters,
! the inscription: ''Coe The Cowardr This
was more than his wife could stand; for
well she knew her husbands truth and
valor. After gazing one instant at the
| flag she raised her jewelled hand, and taxi
ing thereirom diamond of great value,
she cried to the officers and men who stood
around her on the deck:
81 will give this diamond to any man
who will bring me yonder flag
| For a moment there was no response.
The men looked at their officers, the Off
GERS glanced at each other, but volunteers
for a service SO desperate, seemed scarce.
What! is there not one of all you who
dare the trial! Is my husbands ship in
deed manned with cowards?' exclaimed
the lady while her beautiful lip curled with
scorn, and her flaming eye cleaned with
the fire OF contempt.
A young officer, and Englishman WHO
had been lately appointed, stepped forward
and modestly said:
4 was only waiting for my seniors to
speak, Sonora. Had any of them volun-
| teered, should have begged to accompany
him. AS it is, pledge -nyself to bring
you yonder flag before the sun rises again,
or to die! But ask not your jewel as u
/ prize Tor my success; one tress OF your CLOS
sy hair shall be my reward
You shall have 10th, brave boyr replied
the lady; and her cold look of scorn changed
into sweet smile as she asked his name.
.'It is Frank Bennett, Senora,' replied
the young man; and he blushed beneath
her earnest gaze.
| He was slim but well formed; looked
compressed lip, an observer could read one
whose manhood was not made by years
alone.
The sun was sitting behind bank OF
slowly rising clouds, which threatened
darkness and storm. The momen,
| that his services were accepted, young
BENEFIT turned to the crew, and as he glanc-
ed among them saId
Il want six men to man the whale boat
which hangs at the after devats.'
Struck by his gallantry, nearly half Of
the crew startled forward. Now that they
| had leader volunteers, We're plenty
Bennett glanced an eye over them, and il
few moments chose six by name, men,
whom he knep to be both daring and firm
They were Americans.
go sharpen your cutlasses, said he; /
shall not have pistol or musket in the
boat. If we fight, it must be steel to steel
and breast to breast for ire succeed or die!
| i
They were of that class whose motto is
Deeds not words.' They hurried below tc
obey his orders, while still others prodeed-
ed by his directions to mutfle the oars o.
the boat, to put sails, water, etc., IN 1t.
One half an hour later the sky was GOV.
cred with clouds and darkness had set in
Bennett had been careful to take the COM
pass course ofthe enemy's ship when the
last light ofthe dying day gave opportunity
aud by this alone he hoped 10 find her
At this time the lady was on deck, standing
by the pinnacle light, regarding the prepa.
rations of the little party who were abou
to shove off. At the moment when the
boats crew cried out that all was ready tol
start, their young leader came oft to the
SIDE OF the Sonora, and taking from III:
meek miniature lie handed it and lettel
to her saving:
III am not on board at sunrise, lady
please send that miniature to the direction
of the letter.
/ The lady looked at the picture. 1t wa.
the likeness oil young and beautiful girl
A tear filled the Senora's eye.
sYou need not gor said she. No, yo,
love, perchance are beloved. Your life i
precious. ] will not expose it.. Thi
IS,
My only sister, whom I almost adore!
interrupted the youth; ''but one who woul,
scorn me if played the coward or dishon
ored my name. Send that letter and like
ness to her If fall. Farewell till to-mor
row-or forever
The lady was about to answer, an'
again to entreat him to stay; but ere sh,
could speak he was over the bulwarks, an,
i the boat had showed off,
| The night was pitchy dark. a cain
was on the sea and In the air, but it wa
! portenious of a storm. "A small binnacl
tight had been placed IN the. boat, and b,