, 1863-12-19
KNOW WHO YOUR PILOT Is.
story OF q BlOckade-Runner that was
Trnnned. -

magazine. The scene opens at Nassau, which
is thus described:
The harbor was crammed with craft Of all
sorts and sizes; the bay was full of shipping;
the little streets were crowded, and there
vas Continual stir aud turmoil on the quay,
all too small for the press Of traffic that daily
poured in. All this animation, all this ac-
tivity, had been caused by the Federal block
ade Of the Southern coast; and the cheerful
burghers attested the fact that Nassau was
the great emporium for contraband of war
and smuggled cotton, and that much money
was being spent in the island by those en-
plOyed in this gainful but perilous commerce.
Wherever l went, in the tavern, grocery,
store, or counting. house, there was but one
all-engrossing topic, one common subject Of
interest-the blockade. Such and such a
schooner had been taken; such brig had
been burned, cargo and all, to keep her out
of Yankee hands; such drogher had come
in with cotton; such steamer had got safe
to Charleston, with SO many thousand stand
Of arms on board. The Black-eyed Susan
had been sunk by the United States gun
boat Sloper-no, she had only received four
round shot in her hull and had escaped
among the snnd-keys. Who had insured
tne Dellgnt! Ihey would lose smarily, Ior
the vessel nad Deen condemned whereas
tne Fiy-Dy-Eight nad got inIo 70 TnIrlesIon
was worth S23, 900 net profit.
All this gambling and venturing, this
stalking Of fortunes on the speed Of vessel
or inc Wariness Oh q captain, was tnri,lngy
eAcltng 70 Ine brokers' mercnantS' ana otner
specG!atoTs VINO swarmeu IN tne NASSAU
Doarding-houses, ana VINO hau 01iy Pecu,
mar interest," IN Ine game. anu Pcrcelssu ,
tnat tne risks nearly balanced ,he lAvoiaDIe
cnances; tnat II many escaped, many were
taEen ana tne loss Oh . snip was Pni'oS"'
phlcaily Dorne Dy ner owners.
The writer, after some trouble, found q
steamer that would take him to Charleston.
a When do Won start ?" he asked of Cant.
D-..Ls m IN n. 49,.
FE''cHaru-"u' 'io "ri''' '"~'' '''' MS wv"
story:
The commanders voice sunk to a whisper
rs he told me that at sunset every landsman
must come on board, taking boat at some
secluded ietty, to avoid prying eyes, and
using all caution, since Nassau teemed with
Northern spies. Half an hour after sun
down he was to hoist signal, which was to
be replied to, and then the pilot would come
of, and the steamer would stand out to sea.
"After dark" muttered Pritchard, with
an oath, "we msy hope to get past that Yam
kee thief that hangs about the island. The
Governor bade her keep at the distance Of
one marine league, but she's always sneak.
ing in-now for coal, now for bread, now
because her engines out Of order; and the
United States Consul communicates with
her every dav. I tell you. shipmate. there
isn't one Of ns that isn't doeced nm and
down by rascals in Federal hire See there!
that mnlatto hound has been after me these
four davs. . nointino n n dark .comnlexioned
fallow n the dress Of n stevedore. who. ON
SEEING himself observed. as he stood under
tha ,Saranium hedeo, -iay- down With wall.
feigned nopahaIance and lit his pipe.
Hound a good deal Of quiet hustle and
suppressed excitement on board the Bonny-
bell. The fires were bunked up; the swar-
thy faces and red shirts Of the engineer and
his gang were visible at the hatch of their
Cyclopean den, getting breath of the cool
breeze before starting. Some brass guns,
that had been hidden under fruit baskets,
hencoops and tarpaulins, were visible enough
now; and beside them lay piled little heaps
of round shot The crew hustled to and
fro, and the captain was so busy that he could
but return a brief word and nod to my
greeting. The sky grew darker, and sur
rounding objects DINNER, every instant.
Before long the passengers arrived. Sew
eral Southern gentlemen, few ladies' and
children, all making their way back from
Europe to their homes in Carolina or vir-
peril Of harsh Imprisonment at least, in the
event of capture. 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 appear
anxious to enter into conversation with
strangers.
"Get up steam -
BY the time the hoarse roar Of the escap-
ing yapor grew loud and menacing, there
was a fresh hustle on deck, and heard the
captain give orders 70 "stand BY" for slip
s;onsl q wa onlv waitsd for the pilot.