The Shasta courier., 1864-01-09
COURIER

OFFICE-17ll Washington street, opposite Ma
guire's Opera House.
How Blockade Runner Was Caught.
We find in an English magazine the fol.
lowing account of a shrewd trick by which u
blockade-running steamer was trapped in
her voyage from Nassau towards Charleston
when do you start ~ asked the writer
of the captain.
:. The commanders voice sunk to wllis-
per as he told me that at sunset every lands
man must come on boar1, taking boat at
some secluded jetty, to avoid prying eyes !;
and using al reasonable caution, since Mas
sau teemed with Northern spies Half an
hour after sundown he was to hoista 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 may 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 be-
cause her engines out of order; and the Un-
tied States Consul communicates with her
every day. tell you. shipmate. there isn't
one Of US that isn't dogged up and down by
raseals in Federal hire. See there that mu
latto hound has been after me these four
days" pointing TO dark complexion fellow
in the dress of a stevedore, who, on seeing
himself observed, as he stood under the ger
anium hedge, lay down with well-f -feigned
nonchalance, and lit his pipe.
Before long the passengers arrived. Sew
esal southern gentlemen, few ladies and
children, all making their way back from
Europe to their homes in Carolina or Virginia
by this dangerous route. and all in peril 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 .n undertone among them
selves, and did not appear anxious 20 enter
into conversation with strangers.
''Get up steam ~
" By the time the hoarse roar escaping va
por grew loud and menacng there was fresh
hustle on deck, and heard the captain give
orders 6 to stand by'' for slipping from the
moorings, and to hoist the signal, as we orly
waited for the pilot.
. There they are, slick and right-three
red lights and green one! !" murmured
tall Virginian at my elbow; and looking up.
l saw the colored lamps glimmer from the
mast head. Instantly they were answ cred
by similar signal from some window on
the shore.
"We'll soon see the pilot now" said Pritch-
ard, rubbing his hands in a CHEEKY manner
'' the signals made and repeated In ten
minutes our man will be with us. Hilloa
boat ahoy what dye want?''
g Bonnybell ahoy y was the rejoinder. in
shrill, harsh voice. cautiously lowered for
the occasion ''pilot wants to come aboard"
- There was a stir and start of surprise
among those on deck and as rope was
thrown to the boatman, Capt. Pritchard bent
over the side, excaiming:
You re uncommon quick, my hearty. IF
you've come from shore since the lights were
hoisted you must be own cousin to the Fly.
ing Dutchman. Are you sure you're our
pilot?"
. Pm the pilot engaged by Colonel Jeremy
Carter. of Spottsylvana, if that'll d. an
swered a very tall, bonv. black haired man,
as he actively ascended the side. "Zack
Fosters .hy name, and | know every inch
about Charleston, where was rased.''
while the Captsin-reassured y the
mention of Colonel Carter's name-gave has
ty orders to east off the cable and go ahead,
|. in common with the rest of the passengers,
and the unoccuped portion of the crew. look
ed with much interest at the new conner The
latter was about forty years of age, long and
lean 0! figure with hardy sun Drowned face.
There was no mistaking the resolute air and
daring of tn, man his mouth was as firm as
iron. though little drv humor seemed to
lurk aboqt his lips, and | hardly liked the
expression of his halt shut eyes, which had
II lazy cunning in their dark glance. Still,
though dressed in black suit of shore going
clothes, and swallow tailed coat of antigua
rian cnt. there was something about Mr.. Zack
Foster that bespoke the thoroughbred seaman.
He took no share in the proceedings. for his
duty did not begin until we were clear of
Nassau roadstead /; but yet he seemed impa-
tient for the start. gnaying vieinusly at his
quid, and drumming on the tatfrai with
finger that seemed as hard and brown as
bronze.
The run was spec ly and pleasant, over
cimpiing Summer sea, with no boisterous be-
havior on Neptune's part To make even the
lady passengers uneasy. We saw several
vessels, but none of hostile character; and
the voyage was as agreeable and safe hither
to as any yachting excursion in holiday WA
tiers. We were all disposed to be pleased,
ptioN, ant uiD
rose parsonage. viewed through this rose col
ored haze of satisfaction and hope became
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 purposes, fogs were rather fire.
quent, and here the pilots intimate acquain-
tanee with the rocks. shoals and islets-many
of which are not noted down in the chart
more tlan once saved the Bonnybrll from an
ugly thump, upon some hidden obstacle F r
an American, lack Foster was singularly sill
ent; yet there was something elephantine
about his high forehead and narrow dark
eyes which suggested shrewdness rather tnan
vacuity. He did his work, answered when
spoken to. but seldom addressed any oIe
: Land ho.' sung out the lookout man at
the masthead. and Pritchard and the pilot,
who were pouring together over the map
close to the pinnacle, looking up, while the
passengers edged nearer to hear the news
Pritchard lifted his telescope. while Foster
went aloft for better view
'Edisto Island. as / said. CAPT" hailed
the pilot; and beyond it is the Carolina
coast. We're close to home. gentlemen aud