Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-04-22
The Starp Tensr.
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.

RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.
BY A BRITISH ENGINEER
"A southerly wind and a cloudy sky may be
very pleasant theme for fox hunting squiresin dear
old England, but when q man is under cloud in
foreign country, with southeriy Wind IN his
pocket, and Mary Thompson's mark, m. Z. on
his clothes chest, then it's quite another kettle OF
fish. This, however, was my sad case. Yellow
Jack had laid me by the heebfor six weeks. When
came out of the hospital, my ship had LETT the
port; tools and duds were soon Obliged to 90 tor
lodging and food; and now I, William Trereave,
Cornishman and certified engineer, found myself
in jamestown, Bermuda, with lucky six pence
on a steel watch chain for my fortune.
NV landlady, too, old mother Che Che, in whose
house had spent scores of dollars, had informed
me that as money and clothes were both gone, she
would trouble me to look out for other lodgings !;
so that my thoughts as sat on the wharf enjoy
ing light breakfast -"apipe and the sea breeze
were not by any means Of pleasant description.
Not one of the steamers then in the harbor re-
ouired an engineer; might get berth on board
blockade runner but none were expected tor
week or ten days, and how was to live In the
meanwhile? I would have shipped as stoker, but
in nv weak state it was just as likely l should
pitch myself into the furnace as the Goals Sadly
enough, the words of the old capstan song came
to my mind, and could not resist singing
And no more can Be borrowed or lent,
It's walk out Jack, lot John sit down,
Foryour moneys all gone and -" --.
s'That's a mournful ditty, mate, " said a CHEEKY
voice behind me; what ship, eh?'
1.-THE song is true enough, " answered, "and
nv ship at present is Hardship" Looking round
found my questioner to be tall, sea-faring man,
keen-eyed and black bearded, evidently the first
mate or captain of an English vessel.
''Thats ship should give wide berth to, -
he continued Had the fever, | see, and run
aground expect. Well, who are you, and what
can you do? -,
My position and wishes were soon told.
''Lucky tumbed across you" he added; ''my
name is Adams; am chief officer Of the Fanny
Fewker, a craft you may have heard Of; we left
our second engineer in Wilmington, and if your
papers are all right have no doubt Captain Ford
will ship you in fact, came ashore on the look
out for one of your sort But bear hand now,
my lad, and We viii just have wee bite and sup,
as old Sandy Cameron, our boatswain calls 1t, be-
fore we 60 on board"
You may depend I followed my new friend with
considerable alacrity, and found thata good meal
with half bottle of claret enabled me to take
more favorable view Of my future prospects. At
ter dinner we went on board the Fanny. Captain
Ford received me very kindly, declared himself
satisfied with my papers and replies, engaged me
as second engineer at liberal wages, and what was
more kind, advanced me twenty dollars to redeem
nv chest and get rig out. In a couple OF hours
I had procured all I wanted, sent my chest on
board, and regularly joined the ship.
She was long, low, twin-screw vessel, ngged as
three -masted schooner, with masts stepped so as
to lower nearly on deck her smoke stack, too,
lowered telescope fashion, and the lines of her hull
were as fine as yachts. What state her engines
were IN I could not of course see, on account OF
their sea- going jackets Of white lead but she
looked just the sort Of craft you could get sixteen
knots out of even in a seaway. She had original
" been painted all white, out and in board; but
now saw that vhitewash was replacing paint
rust marks, too, were visible, yet missed the trim
smartness I had been used to in the Royal Mail
had finished my survey and was going below,
when Captain Ford hailed me. "What do you
think of her, Mr.. Trereave?" said he. "We
haven't time to keep her man-of-war fashion
and besides, owing to the peculiar nature CT oul
coasting trade, the Fanny Flewker may suddenly
change hands any voyage. I wanted to say few
words to you" he continued, "beforc you go be-
low. Mr.. Todd, our chiefengineer at the time o.
his appointment by the owners was without doubt
competent and useful, but now vile habit OF tip
pling has destroyed him when sober, he is a pool
trembling creature, without energy and incapable
of exertion, and when drunk, an idotic braggart
It's only about two hours in the twenty-four thai
he is of the slightest use, so that shall have tt
place much reliance on you. | am not teetotaer
Mr.. Trereave," said he; ''indeed [ hold that s
sailor-man exposed to rough weather requires
glass of grog at proper times, but it's the habit
constant drains that at last grows into an everast
ing and never satisfied crave for drink. But here
is your friend, MIR. Adams, he will introduce yor
to the chief engineer And tell him from me tt
get up steam for we shall 60 out Of port with tht
morning tide"
After a few words of welcome and congratula
ton on Adams part, aud of suitable acknowledg
ment on mine, I descended to the engine-room
and there found my future superior. Captain
Ford's words had somewhat prepared me, but
did not expect to see 80 complete wreck. Fa
above the average height, with fine forehead ant
massive head, he had at one time been a striking
" handsome man; but now, neglected hair, sunk
en- eyes, and his nervous and uncertain gestures, al
betrayed his besetting sin.
"You are very welcome Mr.. Trereave, he com
meneed. ''This excitement and responsibility
killing me; my nervous system is completely shak
en-. Ifit were not for the stimulants l am com
PEELED to take, I should sink under it; now' ho"
ever, I hope for little rest. Let me offer yo
some refreshment; and filling tumbler two
thirds full of fiery whiskey he added little water
and swallowed the contents at q guIp.