Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-01-01

captain ard pilot stood on the forecaste
noting the replies of the sailor, chanied
as they were in shril monotone, in ac-
cordance with old customs.
Ten fathoms sheerl BY the deep,
nine BY the mark, seven ? called out
the leadsman, from the chains.
Water alters does shoal here, cap. !
know the channel, though, as well as !
know my parlor ashore at Nantucket
at Savannah | mean, said the pilot with
some confusion.
by the mark five = was the next call
Capt. Pricbard here grew uneasy.
He did not pretend to equal the pilot in
local knowledge, but he was too good a
seaman not to take alarm at the abrupt
lessening of the depth of the water. He
gave orders TO reduce the speed, and we
moved but slowly on, the lead going as
before.
Are you sure Mr.. Foster, you are not
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 toleeward
and got into the network OF sand bars
near. Uilloa! whats that ahead OF US
Boats as I'm sinner !
AT the same moment the pilot thrust
his hand rapidly into the breast of his
coat and drew out something and flung it
on the deck, where it instantly began to-
sputter and hiss, and directly afterward
the lurid glare of blue.ight flashed
through the darkness showing funnel and
rigging, the pale faces of the passengers,
the narrow channel of fretted water and
sandy islets on either bow. Nor was this
all, for by the ghastly light we could dis,
tinguish two dark objects on the foamy
sea. ahead Of us-boats, full Of men, pull.
ling swiftly bot noiselessly toward US, and
no doubt with mufllcd oars.
by the mark, two! Shoal water
we're aground = cried an i'll boding voice
that Of the sailor in the chains and the
Bonnybell came suddenly to a check,
throwing most of the landsmen from their
feet, while the ominous scooping of the
keel told that the steamer was aground.
A loud clamor instantly arose, many vol
ccs shouting at once in tones of inquiry,
dismay, or command; but even above
this turmoil arose the hurrah of those
WHO now came dashing up, pulling and
cheering like madmen.
'Treachery treachery = cried several
IF the passengers and crew, pointing to
where the pilot stood beside The blue ligh
hat his own perfdious hand had kindled, /!
while already the man of wars men, for
uch we could not doubt them to be, be
yan TO scramble on board.
The Yank ee bloodhounds sure enough,
out you shall not live to share the prize
money 7 exclaimed Prtcbard. snatching
up a handspike, and aiming a blow al
Mr. lack Foster that would have been a
ethal stroke, had not that astute person
swerved aside, receiving the weapon on
his left shoulder Our men sent up a.
faint cheer, and shot was fired, luckily
without effect. But resistance would have
been madness, so thickly did the Ameri-
can sailors crowd up our gangway, their
pistols and cullasses ready for the fray,
while among them were nine or ten ma
rines, well armed with muskets and bay.
onets and who drove the Benny bells crew
b. low patches without any serious show
VI TIC liCulCHduA III
command, to do him justice, seemed anx-
ious that no needless violence should be
used; and while proclaiming the vessel
a prize to the boats of the Uuited States
war-brig Dacotah, he yet restrained abe
fury Of that precious guide, Mr.. Zack
Foster, who had recovered from the ef.
tects of his knock down blow, drawn a
bowieknfe, and rushed upon Prilchard,
who was struggling in the hands of his
captors.
Gently, sir, said the lieutenant gent
Iy, Quartermaster Fitch. These Gagged
birds are under Uncle Sans protection,
and | cannot allow any ill>usage of my
prisoners. Do you hear me, sir p
'Quartermaster exclaimed poor Capt.
Pritchard, as his wrists were thrust into
the hand-cuff3. You don't mean thai
doubled dyed-villain, that Judas of pi-
lot, is Yankee petty officer, after all
| wish ia only guessed the truth few
hours hack md if ! swnno for II IA