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

ceedings, for bis duty did not begin ii
we were clear Of Nassau roadstead bu
yet he seemed impatient for the star
gnawing viciously at his quid, and drum
ming on the taffraiI with a finger tba
seemed as hard and brown as bronze.
1T was an anxious time when Tia
Bonny bell, under full head Of steam
went darling out of the bay; her look
outs straining their eyes TO pierce tn
mist, and give warning to the helmsma
of vessels ahead while Pritcbard walk
ed to and fro, too fdgetty and eager t.
endure conversation, listening every 10
slant for some sound that was to indicat
that the federal cruiser had taken tn
alarm. But on we went, without checl
or hindrance and we all drew on
breath more freely as the lights Of tn,
town began one by one to vanish, as i
the sea had swallowed them, and tn,
dark headlands faded away into OBSCURE
ty. The American gunboat was neilbe
seen nor felt, circumstance which W.
ii not the less regret because | perceiv
ed, not only by the display of the can
non alluded to, but by the resolule de-
meanor of several of the crew, whc
stood grouped about couple Of uncov
cred arm chests, that our pigmy fo
would not have found an entirely unre
sis:ng prize.
One slight circumstance, hardly, as
thought worth mentioning, did occur be-
fore we had run half mile to seawnrd
There came long faint hail, from Sc
great distance as to be hardly dislin
guished by sailors practiced ear, bu
which was announced TO be addressed t,
Us.
Some boat with message perhap,
for passenger. Tie lubbers deserve {
ropes ending for being so late. Can
lie to, safely, do you think ? said Pritch
ard to the pilot, irresolutely, and giving
the word 'Slacken speed!' What the
pilot answered | know not. / only
caught the concluding phrase
Yankee tricks; so cap, you'd besi
look sharp about YOU
So PIitchard thought. He gave the
word to 60 on at full speed, and we heart
no more about the matter.
'Ihe run was speedy and pleasant
over a dimpling summer sea, with nc
boisierous behaviour on Neptune'S path
to make even the lady passengers unea
Sy. We saw several vessels, but none OF
hostile character ; and the voyage was
as agreeable and safe hitherto as any
Watching excursion in holiday waters.
We were all disposed to be pleased, and
the pilot, although saturnne, and mo-
rose parsonage, viewed through this
rose colored haze of satisfaction and
hope, became popular man on board.
Capt Pritchard pronounced him worth
his weight in gold for if there were no
gales or rough seas TO thwart our pur-
pose, fogs were rather frequent, and here
the pilots intimate acquaintance with the
rocks, shoals and isets--many Of which
were not noted down in the chart-morr
than once saved the Bonnybell from an
ugly thump upon some hidden obstacle.
For an American, Zack Foster was sig
nifcantly silent yet there was something
elephantine about his high forehead and
narrow dark eyes which suggested
shrewdness rather than vacuity. He did
his work, answered when spoken to, BIT I
seldom addressed any one.
Land no !! sung out the look out man
at the masthead, and Prilchard and The
pilot @ho were pouring together over the
map close to the binnjcle, looked VI
while the passengers edged nearer to
hear the news. Pritchard lifted his
telescope, while Foster went aloft for :
better view
'Edisto Island, asI said cap, hailec
the pilot and beyond it is the Carolina
coast. We're close to home, gentlemel
and ladies'
There was a cheer from the little
group gathered near the helm, but di
rectly afterwards came to cries of'Sai
hor
Uncle Sans bankers. We must put
out few miles yet, cap said the pilot
as he leisurely descended tue rope lad,
der.
There were many good glasses on
board, and we all gazed eagerly through
them, and with beating hearts we recog-
nized the port holes, tie grinning can
non, the star spangled flags, and warlike
display Of the federal blockading squad
ron. The steamer was put about, and
we stood further out, until shore and
ships were alike lost to view. The dis
of the passengers, who had