Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-11-10
Miscellany.
How a Blockade-ruuuor was Caught.

A writer in an English magazine gives the
following vivid account of the trip of block
ade-runner in which he was passenger, from
Nassau toward Charleston, and the shrewd
trick by which she was captured:
s'The commanders voice sunk to whisper
as he told me that at sunset every landsInaa
must come on board, taking boat at some Sc
cluded jetty, to avoid prying eyes; and using
all reasonable caution, since ,assau teemed
with Northern spies. Hal an hour after sun
down he was to hoist a signal, which was TO
be replied to, and then the pilot would come
off and the steamer would stand out to sea.
ssSAfier dark muttered Pritchafd, With an
oath, we may hope Il get past that Yankee
thief that hangs about the Island. The Gov
ernor babe her keep at the distance of one ma
rine league, but she's always sneaking in
now for coal, new for bread, now because her
engines out of order; and the United States
Consul communicates with her every dag.
tell you, shipmate, there isn't one Of US that
isn't logged up and down by rascals in Fed
era hire. See therel that nulatto hound has
been after me these four days. pointing to a
dark-compexioned fellow in the dress Of "a
stevedore, who, on seeing himself observed, as
he stood under the geranium hedge, lay down
with well-feigned nonchalance, and lit bis
pipe.
= lOuuu SOOu utdi VI l4AEA UuStiS otlu
suppressed excitement on board the BonnybeH.
The fires were bunked up; the swarthy faces
and red shirts of the engineer and his gang
were visible at the hatch of their Cyclopean
den, getting a breath of the cool breeze before
starting. Some brass guns that had deem hid
den under fruit baskets, hencoops and tarpau-
Inns 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 not return brief word and nod
to my greeting. The sky grew darker, and
surrounding objects DINNER every Instant
oEefore long the passengers arrived--sev-
eral Southern gentlemen, few ladies and chill
dren, all making their way back from Europe
to their homes in Carolina or Virginia by this
dangerous route, and all in danger Of harsh
Imprisonment at least in the event of capture.
| BY the uncertain light / could see that most of
| them were pale and nervous; but they talked
| in an undertone among themselves, and did not
appear anxious to enter into conversation with
strangers.
"'Get up steaml'
etBy the time the hoarse roar of the escap-
ing vapor grew loud and menacing there VISA
fresh hustle on deck, and heard the captain
giving orders TO stand by for the slipping
from the mornings, and to hoist the signal, as
we only waited for the pilot.
"sThere they are, slick and right--thr ee
and lights and green one, mrrmured tall
| Virginian at my elbow; and looking up saw
| the colored lamps glimmer from the masthead.
Instantly they were answered by similar sig
| nal from some window on shore.
"sWe'll soon see the pilot now,' said PrItch-
ard, rubbing his hands in CHEEKY manneri
sthe signals made and repeated. In ten min
uies our man will be with US. Hllloa! boat
ahoy! what Dye want?'
4 sSE pna.s,h1U about, was tho rpi0indar IN a
/ shriN. harsh voice, cautiously lowered for the
| occasion; sp:lct wants to come on board
..There was stir and a start of surprise
among those on deck, and as rope wa
| thrown to the boatmen, Captain PriteharC
bent over the side, exclaiming:
nsYou're uncommon quick, my heartes
! If you've como from shore since the light
I were hoisted, you must oe own cousin to th'
Flying Dutchman. Are you sure you're GU
pilot?s
"srm the pilot engaged by Col. Jeremy Car
ter, of Spotsylvanai, if that'll do answered
very tall, bony, black-haired man. as he &C.
lively assembled the side. lack Fosters m,
name, and know every inch about Charles
ton, where | was raised
"While the aptain--reassured by the men
ton OF Col. Carriers name-gave hasty order
to cast off the cable and go ahead, |, in com
mon with the rest of the passengers, and tn
: unoccupied portion of the crew, looked wit
much interest q. the newcomer. The latte
was ahppt forty years os age, long and iean G
figure, with hardy, sunbrowned lace Their
was no mistaking the resolute air and DARN
of the mar; has mouth was as firm as iror
though little dry humor seemed tolurk abou
lis lips; and hardly liked the expression {
his haif-shut eyes, which had lazy cannin
In their dark Glance. Still, though dressed j
black suit OF shore-going clothes, and
swaIlow-tailed coat Of an autiquated cat, Their
!, was something about tie look Of Mr.. Fac
: Foster that bespoke the thoroughbred seaman
He took no share in the proceedings, for hi
). duty aid not begin Until we were clear of Ma:
san roaGstead; but yet be seemed impatient K
she start. gnawing vicioasly at his quid. an