The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-02-08
.vnpoIcon nma the Saisor Boy.


lay at Boulogne, waiting for an opporS
tunity to make descent upon the south
ern shores of England. Day after day
Napoleon Bonaparte p aced ;ho beach
sweeping with his telescope the blue ex-
panse of the Channel, watching the APP
pearance and disappearance Of the Eng.
lish feet.
Among the Englishmen, who were
prisoners at Boulogne was sailor boy,
was permitted to rlmb!e about the town
and sen shore, it being reekoLed impos-
sible for him to make his escape.
One day as he was wandering along
the beach gazing sorrowfully across the
waves towards the white cliffs of dear
England, and thinking of bis home
among the green lanes Of Kent, he saw
an empty hogshead floating shorewards
with the advancing tide. As soon as
the depth of the water would permit he
ran into the sea, seized the barrel, shov-
ed it to land, rolled it up the beach and
hid it in a cave. The thought of home
had ncrved his arm, and bright idea
had dawned upon him and filed his
heart with hope. lie then went to the
wood that lined the shore and brought
down some willow twigs, with which he
bound the slaves tightly together. Dur.
ing the time of his oat-building he had
frequently to leave the cave to watch
the coming and going of the sentinels.
The sun was setting as he had finish
ed his labor. In the irail bark he had
rudely and rapidly constructed he was
going to attempt TO cross the channel,
fearless alike of its swift currents and
the storms that might arise. He re-
turned to his lodging to cat his supper
and wait til darkness set in.
Slowly with the impatient prisoner
did the hours pass by; but the night
came at last, and he set forth on his per.
ilous undertaking. .r.
BY circuitous route he reached the
cave. The wind was moaning along
the sea, telling of coming storm, and
not a star glimm cred 10 the sky.
This is the darkest nj. ut | ever
saw said the sailor lad to himself
but so much the better for me; aud
down he went owtrds the water, bear
ing his boat on bis back. But, alas
his hopes were to be Disappointed; as
he was aOCut to launch it the sharp cry
of "q~i rice ?" Elng in his ear, and in
stantly the bayonct of sentinel was
pointed at his breast lie was taken to
the eucampment, placed in irons, aud
guard placed over him. r
On the following morning when Ma.
poleoG, was, as usual, pacing the beach,
he was Informed of the attempted es.
cape of the lad, and the means he had
employed. ..'-..
81 Let the boy and his boat be brought
to me-" he said.
The order was speedily obeyed.
When Napoleon beheld the twig-bound
half barrel an the youthful form of the
sailor, he smiled, and turning to the
prisoner saId, in tore devoid of anger,
for he admired the daring of the lad.
did you intend to cross the Channel
in such thing as that? And last
night OF all nights. Why, | would not
have ventured one of my gunboats a
mile from the shore. But see how it
is"
Napoleon looked compassionately up.
on the prisoner, who stood before him
with countenance in which bolduess
devoid Of impotence was displayed
:" see how it is. You have a sweet
heart over yonder, and you long to see
her."
NO, sire, | have no sweetheart ~
Z" No sweetheart What! A British
sailor without sweetheart !"
81 lave a mother. sire. whom have
not seen for years, and whom l yearn to
see."
g And thou shalt see her. my brave
British boy. A right noble mother she
must be to have reared so gallant son
You shall be landed in England to night.
fake this" handing him coin of gold
1t will pay your expenses home after
'ou are put on shore. Farewell"
Az tho or.taI,,l bo,, bo,,ol :, IL