The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-06-22

FROM FORT RIPLEY TO FORT SUMTER
We sreturn to our muttons." The race be-
tween the two points aboye-named seems al-
ready decided. The Eleanor has surged clean
ahead, go that it looks almost impossible for
the EllaAnna to overtake her, while the Maggie
Mitchell shows her heels in the most unmaid-
enly manner to the coy little Unknown. Betting
on the Eleanor is very decided. and greenbaoks
and juleps change hands industriously on the
steamers. "Fifty to forty that the Eleanor
wins, says voice. "Put up your money" is
the response, and somebody loses without
knowing it. The Unknown also has her friends
among the "lookers on in Vienna" but the
Maggie's hackers take everything that is offer
ed, and show 'stif upper lip" -:
The scene at this time is remarkably fine.
Before us looms mp Fort Sumter, grand even in
its ruins, its battle-scarred face and rugged
outline calling up host of memories which
remind some on board Of other and happier
days. Behind is the home we have just left
its spires growing more needle-like as they
recede from view, and it's contour every mo-
ment becoming more beautiful in perspec-
tive, whose line of beauty is the curve of the
two rivers which lovingly fold the old "City by
the Sea" in fond embrace.
| Nesrs.. to us, and resting like an opal in an
emerald setting. is Castle Pinckney, the white
quarters and green carpeting OF the earth
works, in contrast with sea and sky,
making picture worthy of the best effort OF
the artist. The flags are flying, and the wharf
and parapet are lined with soldiers enjoy
ing this momentary relief from the monotony
Of garrison life. Nearer to us is Fort Ripley,
dismantled, out Of shape, going to decay, and
yet picturesque in ruins. The forts, the craft
fitting around us Like 80 many sea gulls, the
yachts just off our bow, all encircled with the
luxurious verdure, which on both sides OF tho
harbor descends like a fringe to the water
edge, make scene of beauty which only the
sun himself, through the lenses of the came
ra, could faithfully portray.
Nearing Fort Sumter there is peroeptible
gain by the Ella Anna on hor antagonist, and
the sailing powers Of the little craft as she
hugs the wind are brought out in bold relief
The wind now heshens to degree which
makes it necessary to shorten sail, and on both
boals gaff topsails and flying jibs are sent
down. Tho Maggie still keeps her place in
front of the Unknown, but there has also been
perceptible closing up in the gap between
them.
FROM CUMMINGS POINT BUOY TO wEEHAwKEN
LIGHT sHIr.
The yachts rou16ed The Cummings Point
Buoy to the northward, so close that it could
have been touched with walking cane, or
in the language on board, $50 that you could
count the fiddlers creeping on it," They then
hauled up close on the wind, and with the ex-
ception OF the Unknown changed their course
to tho southwark. The wind still blowing
from the southwest, and meeting the flood
tide created hero sharp sea, which sometimes
washed from stem to stern. The gunwales
were often two feet under water the men on
board baled constantly; the spray few right
and left, but tho little craft fairly few through
the waves. It was here that the most conspicu-
ous skill was shown in handling all Of
the yachts. On going about on the
tack for the light ship, their position
was as follows: The Ella Anna was several
hundred yards to windward of the Eleanor, and
the Maggie Mitchell was nearly on q line with
but behind the Eleanor. The Unknown Was