The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-12-01


the pilot. who were poring together owe
the map close at the binnicle, looked mp
while the passengers edged nearer t.
hear the news. Pritchard lifted bis tel
escope, while Foster went aloft for bet
ter view.
Edisto Island, as I said, Capr hail
ed the pilot; and beyond it is the Car
olina coast. We are close to home, la.
dies and gentlemen
There was cheer from the little grouE
gathered near the helm, but directly af
terwards came two shril cries Of Sal
ho!'
Uncle Sans barkers. We must put
out few miles yet, Cap.,' said the pilot
as he leisurely descended the rope lad
der. There were many good glasses on
board, and we all gazed eagerly through
them, and with beating hearts we recog
nized the portfolios, the grinning can.
non, the star spangled'' flags, and war
like display of the Federal blockading
squadron. The steamer was put about.
and we stood further out, until shore
and ship were alike lost to view. The
disappointment Of the passengers, who
had been granted mere glimpse of the
land that to them was home, was con-
siderable but none could doubt the pru-
dence of delaying our entrance into
Charleston harbor until night should as
slst us in eluding the hostile war yes
sells. There was no going to bed on
board the Bonnybell that night; we all
kept to the. deck, eagerly gazing out
over the sparkling and phosphorescen,
sea, glimmering and glancing with St..
Elmo's fires. There was a pale young
moon-a mere sickle Of silver-in the
sky, and objects were so family discern
able that the utmost caution was neces-
sary. The second mate took the helm,
while the first mate superintended the al
most constant heaving of the lead, and
the captain and pilot stood on the fore
castle noting the replies of the sailor,
chanted as they were in shrill mono.
tone, in accordance with old custom.
Ten falhoms sheer BY the deep,
nine ! BY the mark. sevenl' called out
the leadsman, from-the chains.
Water alters does shoal here, Cap.
know the channel, though, as well as l
know my parlor ashore. at Nantucket
at Savannah, / mean, said the pilot with
some confusion.
By the mark, five ! was the next
call.
Captain Pritchard here grew uneasy
He did not pretend to equal the pilot in
local knowledge, but he was too good a
seaman not to take alarm at the abrupt
lessening of the depth of water. He
gave orders to reduce the speed, and we
moved slowly on, the lead going as be-
fore.
Are you sure, Mr.. Foster, you are
not mistaken !? 1t seems to me the wa
ter shoals at the rate of fathom for eve.
ry hundred yards traversed. We may
have missed the Swasb, left Moultrie to
the leeward and got into the network of
d-bars near. Hlloa what's that
ahead of US? Boats, as I'm sinner 7
AT the same moment the pilot thrust
his hand rapidly into the breast of his
coat. drew out something and flung il on
the deck, where it instantly began to
sputter and hiss, and directly afterwards
the lurid glare Of blue light dashed
through tie darkness, showing funnel
and rigging, the pale faces of the pass
engers, the narrow channel of fretted
water and the sandy isles on either bow
Nor was this all, for by the ghastly ligh
we could distinguish two dark objects or
the foamy sea ahead of us-boats, full O.
men. pulling swiftly but noiselessly to
wards us, and no doubt with mufflec
oars.
BY the mark, two I Shoal water
we're aground 7 cried an i'll bodinl
voice, that Of The sailor in the chains
aud tho Bonnybell came suddenly TO
check, throwing most of the lsndsmel
from their feet, while the ominous scoop
ing of the keel told that the steamer wa
aground. A loud clamor instantly arose
many voices shouting at once in tone
Of inquiry, dismay or command I; bu
even among MS turmoil arose the hur
rah of those who manned tho boats, an,
who uow came dashiug up, pulling an,
cheering like madmen.
Treachery treachery ! cried sewers
of the passengers and crew, pointing
where the pilot stood beside the blu
light that his own pertdious hand ha
kindled. while already the man of,war'