The weekly Butte record., 1863-12-19


chants, and other spectators who
swarmed in the Nassau boarding houses
and who had only pecuniary interest
in the game. And | perceived that the
risk nearly balanced the favorable
chances that if many escaped, many
were taken; and the loss Of 4 ship was
philosophically borne by her owners.
HE ENGAGES PASSAGE.
At last he found a steamer about to
sail. "When do you start p he asked
the Captain.
The commanders voice sunk to q
whisper as he told me that at sunset
every landsman mus. come on board,
taking boat at some secluded jetty, to
avoid prying eyes; and using all rea-
sonable caution, since Nassau teemed
with Northern spies. Half an hour af-
ter sundown he was to hoist signal,
which was to be replied to and then
the pilot would come off, and the steam
er would stand out to sea.
"After dark" muttered Pritchard,
with an oath, ''we may hope to get past
that Yankee thief that hangs about the
Island. The Governor bade her keep
at the distance of one marine league,
but she is always sneeking in-now for
coal, now for bread, now because her
engines out of order; and the United
States Consul communicates with her
every day. l tell you, shipmate, there
isn't one Of US that isn't dogged up and
down by raScals in federal hire. See
there! that mulatto hound has been af-
ter me these four days" pointing to a
dark -comp,exioned fellow in the dress
Of stevedore, who on seeing himself
observed, as he stood under the gerani-
um hedge, lay down with well-feigned
nonchalance and lit his pipe.
found a good deal of quiet hustle
and suppressed excitement on board the
Bonnybell. The fires were bunked up;
the swarthy faces and the red shirts Of
the engineer and his gang We're visible
at the hatch of their Cyclopean den,
getting breath Of the cool breeze be-
fore starting. Some brass guns had
been hidden under fruit baskets, hen
coops and tarpaulins, were visible
enough now and beside them lay little
heaps of round shot. The crew hustled
tie and fro, and the captain was so busy
that he could but return brief word
and q nod to my greeting. The sky
grew darker, and surrounding objects
DINNER, every instant.
THE PASSENGERS.
Before long the passengers arrived,
Several southern gentlemen, a few la
dies and children, all making their way
back from Europe to their homes in
Carolina and Virginia by this danger
Gus route, and all in peril of harsh i'm
prisonment at least, in the event of cap
ture. BY the uncertain light l could
see that most of them were pale and
nervous but they talked in an under
tone among themselves, and did not ap-
pear anxious to enter into conversation
with strangers.
Get up steam"
By the time the hoarse roar Of the
escaping vapor grew loud and menacing
there was fresh hustle on deck, and |
heard the captain give orders to stand
by for slipping from the moorings, and
to hoist the signal, as we only waited
for the pilot.
''There they are, slick and right
three red lights and a green one !" mur-
INJURED tall Virginian at my elbow;
and looking up, | saw the colored lamps
glimmer from the masthead. Instant
ly they were answered by similar
signal from some window on shore.
THE PILOT.
'We'll soon see the pilot now," said
Pritchard, rubbing his hands in chez
ry manner; "the signals made and re-
peated. In ten minutes our man will
be with us. Hilloa boat ahoy =
what dye want!''
''Bonnybell ahoy - was the rejoin-
der, in shrill, harsh voice, cautiously
lowered for the occasion; "Pilot wants