Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-06-17

| any one Llue, 8uQ Wneu ue lauSueo, eFeu tulS Ao
tired precipitately behind its entertainments, eav
ing on guard only line of lashes and an agitateo
crowd of good-natured wrinkles. The frame wa
muscular, springy and compactly knit, and the
whole pose of the man was like sight draft OF
your confidence which you were prepared to honol
without question. Evidently, he was not one 6
dream vapor or an sgue fit could make a coward
Of He looked all steel and tenuity. 1t was hi:
religion to be brave, and, by some peculiar anima
magnetism, he communicated his spirit of selfrc
Hance to all around him. Thus he impressed oul
party, and we accordingly determined upon an in
terview with Captain Oakley the next morning
We met at an early hour, and, after the inter
change of salutations, Mr.. Slidell inquired: Gap
tain, what are the chances of our getting out ?"
"Gocd, sir" was the prompt reply, II can pu
to SEQ in twenty-four hours.
I forgot to observe that the Captain clearly had
the great failing of reserved natures -obstinacy
but be likewise possessed the great merit-silence
Those few, prompt words came to us like gooo
cheer, aud we felt that the pledge, if made, would
be fulfilled. Still anxious, however, MIR. Mason
interposed, "Why cannot we start tomorrow
night?"
my steamer has just gone into the dry-dock te
be overhauled," was the answer, "but if you viii
charter her I will be ready for sea tomorrow
night"
That was enough.
An hour later, the preliminary arrangements
were consummated that night the vessel was once
more afoat and on the following day her machin
cry was replaced, coal bunkers filled and accommo
dations provided for the Commissioners and theil
suite. We went on board after dark, and by ter
o'clock were domieiled, bag and baggage, in the
compact cabins of the ship-but not to sleep, no.
not for many an hour to come. A few friends
spent the parting moments in the little salon, ano
bestowed upon US the social benedictions' custo
mary at such time; but to all it was solemn oc
casion. To some, the farewell then uttered was
not to be broken by welcome home' until years
after the soldier had bid adieu to camp, and sword:
had been beaten into ploughshares. Some in thai
| little company were not again to look upon home
without the suferance of the conqueror and ther
it was to be home robbed of its charms and des
oate in its associations the household gods broken
the fire of national pride extingulshed, and the
hopes that burned so brightly once, but ashes or
the hearth.
The name of our steamer was the ''Theodora,
80 called in honor of one of the largehearted cii
zens of Charleston. Previous to the war she wa:
employed in running between this city and Fernan
dina, Fla, but subsequently was fitted out as
guard and dispatch boat, and carried an armament
of two guns. Though small, being only FIVE hun
dred tons burthen, she was both sturdy and fast
When pressed, the '"Theodora" could knock of
fourteen knots an hour.
Good fortune waited upon US at the outset The
night was not merely dark, but absolutely and pal
pably black. If nature had wrapped the heavens
in Grape, or empted all her ebon dyes, she could moi
have made q more universal blot. Lowering cloud;
mufled the stars, and the rain poured, mot with
drops and slanting spears, but seemingly in solid
sheets. Never did storm make sweeter music tt
the mind than that long, dull slashipg of the wa
ters of heaven as they mingled with the fountains
of the Deep Monotone though it was it sounded
in our ears like billowy anthem singing US safely
on our way through the Gordon of sentinels keep
ing vigil at the outposts Of the harbor.
At last came midnight, and with it the CHEEKY
order of the captain, ''Let go, allv' Hawsers
were hauled in and coiled away, the decks cleared
and the captain went his final rounds to enjoin 81
lence and see that every light was doused. MOI
even cigar could be smoked.
Some of the male members of our party are or
deck. Drenched by the pelting rain, we watch the
lights Of the city, one by one fade in the distance
and as the last twinkEng landmark disappears
from view, the pail around us is not darker thar
that which settles upon our hearts.
Solemn, silent, with memories Of the past and
gloomy forebodings crowding the mind, we arc
thus carried on for half an hour more, until sud
denly from the pilot-house, Captain Oakley calls at
tention to a great dark object which seems to be
drifting by-so close that we can almost feel the
passing shadow. 1t is Fort Sumter, the grim ole
veteran, whose sleepless eye for four long years
never closed upon his charge.
Now the excitement of the hour begins to cul
inmate The blockading squadron are but mile
or two away. They lie across our path, and We
know that steam is up and they are keen upon the
scent. Ten minutes more and We shall be among
the enemy; but the gloom is still gradually impen
etrable The Captain, with nightglass in hand
peers but peers in vain, for some sign of the dis
tant ships. Meanwhile, we have entered the mar
row channel and are rapidly, but cautiously, work
ing out to sea. The little '"Theodora' plunge
along the roughening waves as if instinct with hu
man will You feel the pulsations Of the heav!
machinery and the tremble of the steamer's frame
you see the phosphorescent gleam along her sides
but all else is wrapped in silence and the shad
immense.
The wind has freshened, and, asis whispered b!
one of the officers, elbows as if it was in an awfu
hurry" and so on, on, on, NC rush to-Fate Two
three, FIVE minutes pass, but they drag like hours
"We count time by heart-throbs" We are near
ing the Federal feet; yes-upon them Look
See there! And with bated breath we behold IL
faint stream of light, through rift in the scud
ding clouds, the long black hull ofa "blockader'
not more than fifty yards distant from our sarboar
? bow. Fearful monochrome Of those in whicl
men live lifetime There is sudden Whlrl
the wheel in the pilot-house; quick as a flash tn
course of the steamer is changed, and the shar
voice of the captain rings through the speaking
tube that communicates with the engine room
Crowd her now give her everything!' We tee
the mighty throb of the iron giant beneath our feet
and then with lunge, as if new life had been intus