Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-01-01
How a Blockade Runner was
Caught.


the following vivid account of the trip OF
a blockade runner in which he was pas
sepger, from Nassau towards Charleston,
and the shrewd trick by which she was
captured by live Yankee -
The commanders voice sank TO a
whisper as he told me at sunset every
landsman must come on board, taking
boat at some secluded jetty, to avoid pry-
ing eyes; and using all reasonable eau
ton, since Nassau teemed with northern
spies. Half an hour after shutdown he
was to hoist the 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 I'VE may hope to get past that
Yankee thief that hangs about the is
lands. The Governor bade her keep at
the distance Of one marine league, but
she's always sneaking in-now for coal,
now for bread, now because he engines
out of order; and the United States
consul communicates with her every day.
tell you. shipmate, there Isn't one e
US that isn't logged up and down by ras-
calls in federal hire. See there that
muiatto hound has been after me these
four days pointing to dark complex
toned fellow in the dress of a stevedore,
who, on seeing himself observed, as he
stood under the gerauium hedge, lay
down with well feigned noncbalence, and
Git his pipe.
i found a good deal Of quiet hustle,
and suppressed excitement on board the
BonnybelI. The fires were bunked up
the swarthy faces and red shirts of the
engineer and bis gang were visible a.
the hatch of their Cyclopean den, getting
a breath of the cool breeze before start
ing. Some brass guns, that had been
hidden under fruit baskets, hen coops,
and tarpaulins, 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 but return brief word and nod
to me greeting. The sky grew darker,
and surrounding objects grew DINNER
every instant.
Before long the passengers arrived.
Several southern gentlemen, a few ladies
and children, all making their way back
from Europe TO their homes in Carolina
and Virginia by this dangerous route,
and all in peril of harsh imprisonment at
least, in the event of capture. BY the
uncertain light l could see that most of
them were pale and nervous but they
talked in an undertone among them
selves and did not appear anxious to en-
ter into conversation with strangers.
Gel up steam y
BY the time the hoarse roar of tue |
escaping vapor grew loud and menacing,
there was fresh hustle or deck, and
beard the captain give orders to stand
by for slipping from the moorings, and
to hoist the signal, as we only waited for
the pilot.
There they are, slick and right-three
red lighta and green one = murmured
a tall Virginian at my elbow and look
ing up saw the colored lamps glimmer
from the mast head. Instantly they
were answered by a similar signal from
some window on shore.
wen soon see the pilot now said
Pritchard, rubbing his hands 10 a CHEEKY
manner; The signals made and repeat,
ed. In ten minutes our man will be
with US. Iilloa boat ahoy what
dye want?
'Bonnybell ahoy !! was the rfjonder,
in a shrill, harsh voice, cautiously lower
ed for the occasion pilot wants to come
aboard
There was stir and "a start of sur
prise among those on deck, and as a rope
was thrown TO the boatman, Captain
Pritchard bent over The side, exclaiming:
You're uncommon quick, my hearty.
If you've come hom shore since the
lights were hoisted you must be own
cousin TO the Flying Dutchmau. Are
you sure you're our pilo,|
I'm the pilot engaged by Colonel
Jeremy Carter of Spotsy Ivania, it that'Il
do answered a very tall, bony, black
haired man, as he actively assembled the |
side. 'Zack Fosters my name, and
know every inch abou, Charleston, where
] was raised
while the aptain-re-assured by the |
mention of Col. Carriers namc-gaye
hasty orders to cast off the cable and 60
ahead, !, in common with the rest of the
passengers, and the unoccupied portion
Of the crew, looked with much interest
at the new conner. The latter was about
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