Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-11-10
drumming on the tafFrail with finger that

man OF vessels ahead; While Prltcndrd walked
to and fro, too fidgety to endure conversation
listening every instant for some sound tina
was to indicate that the Federal cruiser haC
taken the alarm. But on he went without
check or hindrance; and we all drew oul
breath raore freely as the lights of the town
began one by one to vanish as if the sea had
swallowed them, and the dark headlands faded
away into obscurity. The American gunooa'
was neither seen nor felt, circumstance which
/ did not the less regret because | 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 arm chests, that our pigmy foe would not
have found an entirely unresisting prize.
ga slight circumstance, hardly, as thought,
worth mentioning, did occur before we had
run half mleto seward. There came a long,
faint hail from so great distance as TO be
hardly aisfingushable even by sailors prac-
ticed ear, but which was announced to be adj
dressed to us.
asSome boat, with a message, perhaps for a
passenger. The lu5bers deserve rope's-end
for being so late Can / lie to safely, do you
Thinks said Pritchard tc the pilot irresolutely,
and giving the word ESlacken speedp What
the pilot answered know not. only caught
4 the concluding phrase
"sYankee tricks; so cap, you'd best look
sharp about you.'
| DO FFltCHdFu tuUuEHl. Tie gave Tue WO4u
to go on at full speed, and we heard no more
about the matter.
ssThe run was speedy and pleasant, over a
dimpling summer sea, with no boistrous be-
havior on the part of Neptune to make even
the lady passengers uneasy. We saw several
vessels, but none of hostile character; and
the voyage was agreeable and safe hitherto as
any Yachting excursion in holiday waters.
| We were all disposed to be pleased, and the
/ a14
age, viewed through this rose colored haze of
satisfaction and hope, bee anne a 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 purpose, fogs
were rather frequent, aud here the pilots in
timaIe acquaintance with the rocks, shoals and
| islets--many of which were not noted down in
| the chart--more than once saved the BonngbelI
| from an ugly thump against some hidden o.
stacIe. For an American, lack Foster was
singularly silent; yet there was something ee-
| phantine about his high forehead and narrow,
dark eyes which suggested shrewdness rather
than vacuity. He did his work, answered
when spoken to, but seldom addressed any
| ole..
"SLand ho!' sung out the lookout man at the
masthead; and Pritchard and the pilot, who
were porting over the map close to the binna-
Gle, looked up, while the passengers edged
telescope, while Foster went aioit for a better
view.
ssEdisto Island, as | said, Capp hailed the
pilot; SaDd beyond it is the Carolina coast.
We are close to home, gentlemen and ladies'
"There was a cheer from the little group
gathered near the helm, but directly after
wards came two shrill cries Of Sail hop
sssUncle Sans barkers. We must put out
few miles yet, Cap,' said the pil as be Ieis-
| Hal fba Iodd
many good glasses on board, and we all gazed
eagerly through them, and with beating hearts
we recognized the portfolios, the grinning cam
non, the 'sstar-spangledn flags and warlike dis
play OF The Federal bockading squadron. The
steamer was put about, aud 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 considerable;
but none could doubt the prudence Of delaying
our entrance into Charleston harbor until night
should assist us in euding the hostile war YES
sells. There was no going to bed on board the
| BonaybeH that night; we all kept to the deck,
| eagerly gazing out over the sparkling ana
phosphorescent sea, glimmering and glancing
with ST. Elmo's fires. There was pale,
young moon--a mere sickle OF silver-ln the
sky, ana objects were SO family discernab!e
that the utmost caution was necessary. The
J.
superintendent the almost constant heaving OF
the lead, and the captain and pilot stood a the
forecastle noting the replies of the sailor,
chanted as they were in a shriil monotone, In
accordance with old custom.
sssTen fathoms sheer! By the deep, nine
BY the mark, seyen!' called out the leads-man
| from the chains.
asWater alters does shoal here, Cap.
know the channel, though. as well as | know
- l-o& ~ &a
mean,' said the pilot, with some confusion.
ssBy the mark, fivep was the next call.
Captain Pritchard here grew uneasy. He
did not pretend to equal the pilot in ,ocal
knowledge, but he was too good seaman not
to take alarm at the abrupt lessening of the
depth of water. He gave orders 20 reduce the
speed, and we moved but slowly on, the lead
going as before.
EssAre you sure, Mr.. Foster, you are not
1 mistaken? 1t seems to me the water shoals at
The rate Of fathom for every hundred yards
traversed. We may have missed the Swash,
left Moultrie to leeward and got into the net
work of sand-banks near. Hilloa! what's that
| ahead of us? Boats, as Pm sinnerp
fsAt The same moment the pilot thrust his
hand rapidly into the breast of his coat, drew
out something and flung it on the deck, where
it instantly begun TO sputter and hiss, and di-
| rectlv afterwards the lurid glare of blue light
and rigging, the pale faces of the passengers,
the narrow channel of fretted water and the
sandy isles on either bow. Nor was this all,
for BY the CHASTITY light we could distinguish
two dark objects on the foamy sea ahead of US
boats, full of men, pulling swiftly but noise
Iessly towards US, and no doubt with invited
oars.
"sBy the mark, tygol Shoal water--we're
aground' cried an ill-boding voice, that the
| sailor in the chains; and the BonnybeH came
Suddenly to a check, throwing most oil the
landsmen from their feet, while the ominous
scooping Of the keel told that the steamer way
, aground. A adclamor instantly arose, many
voices shouting at once in tones Of inquirs-
dismay or command; bit even among this tur.
MOL arose the hurraA a those who manned the
boats. and who now came dashing up, pulling
and cheering like madmen,
sTreacheryl treachery" cried several OF tnt
passengers and crew, pointing 10 where the Pr
iot stood beside the blue light that his own per
! faious hand had kindled; while already tnt
] rnan-of wars men, for sach we could not douD
: them to be, began to scramble on board.
E esThe Yankee bloodhounds, sure enough
] but YOU shall not live to share the prize mon
~ X All - han