The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-04-07
THE BOAT CHASE.
HY JOHN 4. STUART.

Strange: says the captain sweeping the horizon with
his spygse that We see nothing Of the Trunkard and
Hilton. Raise that pine sapng at the head that they
may be sure Of US if they see u.s.
few minutes after making tsis signal, We saw a
boat also carrying pine saplisg at her head, outside
the Bay Point sur on the side next to the sea- 1t
nearly opposite the point and then rowed swiftly back
and out of sight around the bench eastward Two men,
Il short time AFTER walked down TO the point, raised
apling. planted it in the sand and retired among the
aaadhls.f
Something wrong They and answer our
aicoal but cannot venture We must break OF
iehing, and 70 to them at In with your lines,
and up with tie anchor"
When this order given, the whole aspect Of the
wide panos~ma in the centre Of which We Aoated, was
undergoing xnpid change aud the deep noontde 81
ence Of nasur long unbrokcn except by the noise in
our boat, was lost in the mngling Of many sounds.
First shoal Of porpoises pungng and putting in
from the with antic leaps turning head downward,
and showing their ukes, they went frolicking past
us in the bay then immense fock of sea-birs,
in black oblique line from the bank Of the southeast
.,thered into dense cloud ranged themselves wedge
,xise into detachments, and wcuded landward then
brisk breeze from the southwest swept its invisible
mantle across the face of the waery mirror srackng its
march With blue and waking the sleepy waves rock
ua merrily With clamorous motion. The wind came in
puts the clouds, which had been gradually marshal
ling ip the south, extending their columns the
rigate in the ofng scudding under shortened sail
before the force Of the gust which had only brushed
with its passing skirts aud auding to the white caps
# the general mob OF waves, and to breakers the
banks now rearing their giant crests frantic and foam
;ag old SAM having the dread Of the bathos before
hS eyes, sa;d quantity enough, that Broad River
going to show himself, and had put his rudaexhI.'
tud after cloud passed rapidly the sun, throw
;na broad belts Of indigo shadow athwart the bay, while
between these the flashing blows cleaned like emerald
II = H. oA,s~c oE -1s-kA Al
stseaked the brine at intervals less and less frequent,
until the whole landscape darkened into one sombre
tone under the frown OF the gathering storm.
Our anchor vas shipped, and the boat trimmed when,
"a 1e was balancing his for the first stroke, Old
Sam pointed astern, and said, Trouble coming Free
Tony in de starn o dat boat make sign to me-
We locked again the canoe boat, which had been
anchored aboye, just out Of hsiling distance was labor
nx had against the aood tide and bearing down to
The negro ct the helm pointed rapidly and covertly
The marsh of Bay Point then to Paris Island and last
IT, to the bottom Of the boat aud while he sgnaled to
~ Nth his opened palm to hasten onward, Isaw white
face foe instant, above the gunwae near him The
dAsharfe Of cannon doomed heavily from the schooner
70 the north and simultaneously, she attracted
attention, did We aaw her with sails unfarled beating
down the riyer long dark boat shot rapidly out from
the creek beyond Bay Point Island another from around
the point Of Parss bank, and, ip the boat now
rithin musket range about twenty started up
their concealent; Eve six sailors sprang to the
thwss snd ran out oars the rest we're arwed British
eol1;ers.
We must make for Bay Point or out to sea, ~ our
oaly ohsnce said the captain in low voice himse
snd then cheeruy to the hands, Stretch to your oars
thers's DO danger! Nothing this side Of St. Helens
can with Deyfsh Put it to her Justify, and give
the rascals wide wake Of dead water.
snsrs, most Of the bullets singing wide over head,
few spashing amoung our oars patterng against the
eide Of the boat, and carrying Maurces beaver
by the board aud twirlng it along the water.
Shall We get our guns 2 said William, eagerly.
No !,not yet Uncase niue-but keep yours dry
till We must use them
The enemy had chosen 6rst-rate plantation boat
and we're evidently nearing US, although seemed to
aash through the waves a., with rolling sound the
ratified and rung upon our gunwalee in rapid but
regular strokes. 41svf e.g vsse .s-. ..9as
sSit down, Massa, for Gods sake : cried Sam, as the
captain raised himself and stood to his full height
Without knowing his motive the rest Of US on the plat
form initiated him, and rose also.
Down with you, boys You'll spoil the trim Of the
boas Silence, Sam and pull, thpndered the captain
ssd then, lowering his voice, said to me, Our danger,
James, is that the negroes may take panic, and be
good for nothing. Do all you can to cheer them. :
Shot after shot now followed in quick irregular sue
cessiou. ~ ea a
'Sit down, sir! you are hurt : said l. ;
Only skin deep replied the captain, showing his
arm, which wss grased and bleeding little. Cut
loose those fish from tie side Maurice and Willism,
throw the rest overheard mind your oars boys and
nothing else: row deep and don't catch crabs You'll
uos be ht-theyre firing At me, and over your heads
We hold way with them 10 the boat lig6teus: they
don't gain on now. Hand my gun, James! you put
ball in one barrel"
Yes! the left" @
Nov, stop rowing minute and be knelt on the
seat and drew his aim Old Thundsr spoke and ths
ssf.ss>s .s.s.ss-ss 80. s.a,a. se. ea@ss ~