The Shasta courier., 1864-01-09
gathered near the helm. but directly after

ward came two shrill cries of " Sail no y
. Uncle Sans barkers Wemust put out
a few miles yet, cap,' said the pilot, as he
leisurely descended the rope ladder. Th re
were many good glasses on board. and we
all gased eagerly through them, and with
beating hearts we recognized the portfolios.
the grinning cannon, the star spangled flags.
and wirlike display IF the Federal blocka-
ding squadron. The steamer was put about.
and we stood further out, until shore and
ships were alike lost to view. The disap.
pointment 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.ef delaying our en-
trance into Charleston harbor until night
should assist us in eluding the hostile war
vessels. There was no going to bed on
board the Bonnybell that night; we all kept
to the deck, eagerly gazing out over the
sparkling and phosphorescert sea, glimering
and glancing with St. Elno fires. There
was Il pale young moon-a mere sickle of sill
ver-in tie SKY ! and objects were 81 family
dlscerEible that the utmost caution was ne.
cessasg. The second mate took the helm
while the first mate superintended the almost
constant heaving of the lead, and the captain
and pilot stood on the forecastle noting the
replies Of the saiior, chanted as they we're
in shrlll monotone, in accordance with old
! custom.
. Ten fathoms sheer By the deep, nine
BY the mark. seven! ~ called out the leads
man. from the chains.
Water alters does shoal here. cap,
know the channel. though. as well as know
my parlor ashore at Nantucket-at Savan
nah. mean," said the pilot with some con-
fusion.
BY the mark. fvc! was the next call
Captain Pritchard here grew uneasy. He
did not pretend to equal the pilot in local
knowledge, but ne was too good seaman not
to take alarm at the abrupt lessenng of the
depth of water. He gave orders to reduce
The speed and we moved slowly on, the lead
going as before.
9 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 Muultrie TO leeward, and got into
| the network ui sand banks near, Iilloa !
what's that ahead Of us2 Boats, as I'm Il
sinnerl"
. At the same moment the pilot thrust his
hand quickly into the breast of his coat. drew
OUT something and flung it on the deck, where
1t instantly began to sputter and hiss and di
rectly afterwards the lurid glare of blue
light flashed through the darkness, showing
funnel and rigging, the pale faces of the pas.
sengers, the narrow channel of fretted water
and the sandy islets on either bow. Nor was
| this all, for bE the CHASTITY light we could dis
tlngulsh dark objects on the foamy sea ahead
"f us-boats full of men, pulling swiftly but
noiselessly towards US, aid no doubt with
muffied oars.
! BY the mark, two! Shoal water-we're
aground ! cried an i boding voice. that of
the sailor in the chains and the Bour ybell
came suddenly to a check. throwing most of
the landsmen from their feet, while the ON.
nous scrooping of the keel told that the
steamer was aground. A loud clamor in.
stantly arose. many voices shouted at once
IN tones OF inquiry, dismay, or command
but even obove this turmoil arose the hurrah
OF those who manned the boats, and who now
came dashing up, pulling and cheering like
madmen
. Treachery treachery !" cried several of
tn passengers and crew pointing to where
the pilot stood beside the bne light that his
own perfdious hand had kindled, while al.
ready the man-of wars men. for such we
couid not doubi them to be, began to scram.
BILE on board
but you snall not live to Share the prize
meney - exclaimed Pritchard. sna-ching TN
a handspike, and aiming blow at Mr.. lack
Foster that would have been "a lethal stroke.
had not that asrute rerson swerved aside. re
ceiving the weapon on his left shoulder. Our
men set up a faint cheer, and a shot was fred
luckily without effect. But resistance would
have been madness. so thickly did the Amer
lean sailors crowd up our gangway. their pis
tolls and cutlasses ready for the fray. while
among them were nine or ten marines, well
armed with muskets and bayonets, and who
drove the Bonnybelfs crew below matches
without any serious show of fighting. The
Federal Lieutenant in command, to do him
justice. seemed anxious that no needless vio
lence should be used and while proclaiminc
the vessel prize TO the boats of the United
States war brig Dacotah. he vet restrained
the fury OF that precious guide, Mr. Zack
Foster, who had recovered from the effscts of
his knock down blow. drawn bowie knife.
and rushed upon Pritchard, who was strug
Cling in the hands of his caators.
Gently, sir, said the lieutenant, :. gent
ly, Quartermaster Fitch. These "a ged birds
are under Uncle Sans protection. and can
not allow any ill usage Of my prisoners. Do
you hear me, sir?"
Quartermaster!H exclaimed poor Captain
Pritchard, as his wrists were thrust into the
handouts. . Ygn don't mean that. that
double dyed william, that Judas of pilot is
a Yankee petty officer, after all. wish I'd
only gussed the truth few hours back. and.
if swung for it, Id have chucked the spy
overheard as | would a NANCY puppy.''
The lieutenant made no answer, but or
dered the captain and mates to be sent be-
low. and proceeded at once to seize the steam
er's papers, to place the passengers under ar
rest and to take steps fer getting the Bonny
bell of the sandlank He then compelled
the engineer to set the machinery At work.
and we ran down. under the skillul pilotage
of Mr.. Fitch, to Eiisto Island, on which an
chorage We came to our moorings under the
guns of the Dacotah. and within a short dis
rance of several other of the blockadiuc
squadron"
A coTExPoRARY tells the It ~ of an edi-
tor, who. finding the body of man hang
ging to a lamp-post une night. after his own
pauer bad gone to press cut it dnEn. and
carried it home. to preyent his rival from
publlShinp the news und was him slf ind :c,ad