Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-11-03


MIR. Munson, have these men,
names entered, and then station
them and mess them, aud with
out further remark he walked ait t.
his cabin. Ina moment Toms mine
was made up. and without resistance
or remark of any kind, he allowed
his name to be entered on the pur
ser's books, and bis station aud mes;
to be assigned to him, after which : :
hammock and bedding were served
out to him, aud be was directed td
cur MIN as soon as possible. Ihe
fricate was we'll guarded by sentrIes
there being two upon the poop, one
at each gangway, one on the fore
castle, and one on the bowSprlf, be-
sides those which were stationed at
various posts below; SO that no inr-
ther notice was taken Of the new
comqrs after they had received their
bedding, excepting to give the seu!i-
pels additional caution with regard
TO watching well that no one lett The
ship unless he WAS passed by the
officer Of the deck.
Toms hammock vas already clear
ed, and having hung it up, he turn
ed into it without undressing. The
night was warm and sul;ry, and as a
means Of giving circulation of fresh
air, the gun deck ports were lowered
and from the place in which our he
ro swung he could look out upon the
waterasis sparkled beneath The beams
of the bright moon. Tom lay quiet
until about midnight; but as yet he
could think Of no means Of escape,
Shortly after that hour had passed,
he heard the relief guard called, and
in seme ten minutes the corporal OF
the first guard came down upon the
gun-deek and unlashed the hammock
which hung next to mis- own; which
operation being performed, he pro-
ceeded to undress himself, hanging
his clothes rs be did SO upon the
clews of his hammock The four
hours duty had given the corporal an
excellent appetite for sleep, and IN
less than five mluutes after he
touched bis m1ttrlss, he began to
snore.
Now. or never thought Tom, is
nv chance and with this idea IN bis
mind he slipped quie'ly out lfom his
hammock, and proceeded to divest
himself OF his clothes, which having
accomplished, he very unceremonl-
ously substituted these of The snor-
ing corporal in their place, aud then
sat down upon the'breeching gun to
mediate further upon his plaIs.
One bell struck, ana the sentinels
passed the usual 'all's well.' Then
Tom heard the corporal, as he start
ed to 90 his rounds. and ere long he
descended the main hatch ladder, to
visit the post below. No sooner bad
tbe marine officer passed beyond the
galley, than our hero sprang up the
ladder and gained the spar-deck--
The officer of the deck was all upon
the starboara side: the sentries were
walking their posts with regular tread, !,
while the old quarter-inaster stood
upon the poop, with his night glass
pnder his arm. The sentries per-
formed their walk upon the gang
boards, raised even with the bottom
of The hammock nettings, and run
ming forward from the ladders. The
starboard gangway was shaded from
the light Of the moon by the awnings;
and walking deliberately up the lad
| der. Tom looked over the ships side.
| Sentry said he, in munhllne
sort Of tone, what boat IS that at
the boom?'
sThe second CUTTER returned the
marine. showing by his manners that
he bad no suspicious of the spurious
corporal.
Tom Immediately walked aft to
where stood the officer Of ths deck.
and being quite assured by the mis-
take of the sentry, be pulled his CAP
down over bis eyes, and touching his
Visor respectfully remarked-
j should like to overhaul that sec
ond cutter, sir; for ! think there Is
rum aboard of her,
Tom knew he was playing a des
peYatee. game, but liberty was to os
the result Of success, and he finch
ed noi o hair.
.Ha. the villains / uttered The
Lieutensnt. Up to those old tricks .;l
again: Go, corporal, get down 'n's