, 1863-12-19


was something about Mr.. Zack Foster that
bespoke the thoroughbred seaman. He took
no share in the proceedings, for his duty
did not begin till we were clear Of Nassau
roadstead; but yet he seemed impatient for
the start, gnawing viciously at his quid,
and drumming on the taGrail with finger
that seemed as hard and brown as bronze.
Itwas an anxious time when the Bonny-
bell, under full head Of steam, went dart
ing out Of the bay; her look-outs straining
their eyes to pierce the mist, and give warn
ing to the helmsman Of vessels ahead; while
Pritchard walked to and fro, too fidgetty
and eager to endure conversation, listening
every instant for some sound that was to
indicate that the Federal cruiser had taken
the alarm. But on we went, without check
or hindrance; and we all drew our breath
more freely as the lights of the town began
one by ono to vanish, as if the sea had swal-
lowed them, and the dark headlands faded
away into obscurity. The American gun
boat was neither seen nor felt; circum-
stance which l did not the less regret, be-
cause 1 perceived, not only by the display
of the cannon alluded to, but by the resolute
demeanor of several Of the crew, who stood
grouped about couple Of uncovered arm
chests, that our pigmy foe would not have
found an entirely unresisting prize.
One slight circumstance, hardly, as ]
Thought, worth mentioning, did occur before
we had run, half mile to seaward. There
came long, faint hail from SO great dis
lance as to be hardly distinguishable even
by a sailors practised ear, but which was
announced to be addressed to us.
"Some boat, with message perhaps for
a passenger. The lubbers deserve ropes
ending for being so late. Can lie-to safely,
do you think p said Pritehard to the pilot,
irresolutely, and giving the word "slacken
speedw What the pilot answered know
not. I only caught the concluding phrase,
"Yankee tricks; SO, cap, you'd best look
sharp about YOU"
So Pritchard thought He gave the word
to go on at full speed, and we heard no more
about the matter.
The[un was speedy and pleasant, over
dimpling summer sea, with no boisterous
behavior on Neptune's part to make even
the lady passengers uneasy. We saw sew
eral vessels, but none of hostile character |;
and the voyage was as agreeable and safe
hitherto as any yachting excursion in holi-
day waters. We were all displeased to be
pleased; and tho pilot, although a saturnine
and morose parsonage, viewed through this
rose-colored haze of satisfaction and hope,
became popular man on board. Captain
Pritchard pronounced him worth his weight
in gold; for if there were no gales or rough
seas to thwart our purposes, fogs were rather
frequent, and here the pilots intimate ac-
quaintance with the rocks, shoals and islets
many Of which were not noted down in
the chart-more than once saved the Bon
nybell from an ugly thump upon some hid
den obstacle. For an American, Zack
Foster was singularly silent; yet there was
something elephantine about his high fore
head and narrow dark eyes which suggested
shrewdness rather than vacuity. He did
his work, answered when spoken to, but
seldom addressed any one.
Gland hop sung out the lookout man
at the masthead, and Pritehard and the pi-
lot, who were pdring together over the man
close 70 the binnacle, looked up, while the
passengers edged nearer to hear the news.
PritchaFd lifted his telescope, while Foster
went aloft for better view. y
"Edisto Island, as l said, cap.w hailed
the pilot; " and beyond it is the Carolina
coast. We're close to home, gentlemen
and ladies'"
There was cheer from the little group
gathered near the helm, but directly after
wards came two shfill cries Of "Sail ho@
"Uncle Sans barkers. We must put
out few miles yet, cap" said the pilot as
he leisurely descended the rope ladder.
There were many good glasses on board,
and we all gazed eagerly through them, and
with beating hearts we recognized the port
holes, the grinning cannon, the star-spangled
flags and warlike display Of the Federal
blockading squadron. The steamer was
put about, and we stood further out, until
shore and ships 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 considefa-
bic but none could doubt the prudence Of
delaying our entrance into Charleston haT-
Dor until night should assist us in eluding
the hostile war-yessels. There was no go
ing to bed on board the Bonnybell that
night; we ali kept to the deck, eagerly
gazing out oyer the sparkling and Phos.
phoFescent sea, glimmering and glancing
with ST. ElmO's fires. There was ! pale
young moon-a mere sickle Of silyer--in
the sky; and objects were 50 hintly dis
cernible that the utmost caution was neces-
sary. The second mate took the helm,
while the first mate snperintended the al
most constant heayilg Of the lead, and the
captain aud pilot stood on the fOFecastle
noting the replies Of the sailor, chanted as
they we're in a i6rill monotone, in sccOr-
dance with old cqstCn; tI,El
g Ten fathoms sheer By the deep,
nine By the mark, seven y called out
the leadsman, from the chaips.
"Water alters does shoal here, cap. I
know the channel, though, as we'll as !
know my parlor ashore at Nantucket-at
Savannah, l mean," said the pilot, with
some confusion.
"By the mark, Eve ~ wps the next call.
Capt. PritcAard here grew uneasy. He
did not pretend to equal the pilot in local
knowledge, but he was too good seaman
not to take alarm at the abrupt lessening Of
A.. l...G'oc ,-.kar He rave nrdava 70 ~