The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1870-01-28

A BLOCKADE ADVENTURE.

And now All seeHlcu uesliiieu W "
well with them, Gliding noselessly
above the bar, they saw no signal boat
this time, and were seen by none. Ihe
INST, though SO slight and transparent.
helped to veil them from observation,
as it also helped to veil the enemy from
their sight; and 1t was not till they
were actually darling through the cor
don that they could see. looming vague
ly TO right and left Of their course. the
shadowy outlines of two larg; ships OF
war. Their own greygrqen hull aad
piled up cotton bales matched too near
iy. however, with the waves and the
mist to attract attention; and they flew
out to sea unchallenged. 1--WE shan't
see New York for nothing thus time, by
Jove ~ laughed Archie. exultingiy.-
"T'm not so sure Of that replied De-
benham. We've lost three hours OF
darkness. remember; and it Will be
broad daylight at four.' 1t was broad
daylight at Iour-the sun shining, the
mist clearing. the sea just ruiiing be-
fore the breeze, About five. the breeze
freshened, and blew of the last shreds
of fog. Then from three voices at once,
the voices of Debenham, OF tho first
MATE and OF tho watch III the crows
nest, there went up a sudden cry OF
.,Steamer no !" And there, not four
miles distant, was large paddle-wheel
steam -sloop on their larooaru DOW
The pilot riished to the speaking tube;
the captain to the englne-room; and the
good boa: leaped under the sudden ac'
cess of pressure, like racer under the
spur, At the same instant, the cruiser
| ran up the stars and stripes, wheeled
a5out to give chase, and sent a shot
clean over her Sows. "Pitcn them cot
ton bales overheard J" shouted the pl-
! lot. And over went the cotton bales
the precious cotton bales, worth per-
haps fifty, perhaps sixty pounds piece
-splashng into the sea as last as me
combined efforts of every man on deck
could heave them over the gunwaies:
splashing and plnnging like lcad-ris
ing and floating like feathers and lef
behind in an instant Meanwhile cams
another shot-and another; all too wei
aimed to be pleasant. Suddenly, jus
as the blockade runner was beginning
eyerv moment to make more and mor'
way, something like a light SHOCK
coricussioI,, as it were, that seemed TO
a moment to thrill the deck beneatl
tbeir rcet-was ielt by all on board
/. |
themselves what had happened, tn
ship's race slackened--she came to
heavily against her helm Il. e., lti:che
half round) and lay broadside to tn
chase. The pilot flew to the sser,; tn
captain came rushing up from the Ell
oine-room. brcathless, with the perspi
( ration streaming down his face. II
Heavens name, what is the matter F!
,,h M hnf
hanging over the gunwales. "Matte
: enongh. I guess" replied Mr.. Zaehar
: Potter bringing out his words slowi
and savagely, and shltt:ngup hissglas
5 with a click. lone of them darned co
! ton bales has got tangled in the sta
A board screw We are cooked TN
time, anil no mistake about it !" Al
: so it was. Swept under the starboal
' counter by the force of the waves, oil
e of the elected cotton bales had bet
caught in the sweeping blades OF Il
screw. Ina moment it was ripped OPT
and bagging, roping. and cotton we
being whirled and twisted about =
shaft, In moment the screw vi
hopclessly clogged, half the boats spe
Il was goae. and he game was up ID
benllam turned an appealing look
the captain; but the captain only shof
his head aad folded his arms. At I'll
moment the cruiser fired again twic'
one of her saots tearing Through {
: waterno dozen yards in THAR wal
G .sThere amt nethiu' for it but to ]
iiee tew with good grace, Cap'n," said
rs nilot. Debenham heard, turned on
n heel, and went ait in silence. Arc
! followed tim. "Dear old chap" =
va che tears in his honest eyes. Il
r 60 sarr,':llp For moment Debenh
90 looked away -gnawing bis moastae
20 listening with u heavy frown to
90 shrill rush of the escaping steam.
90 expected as much" he said, at lene
VI Vi felt. before We left Charleston, t
90 we sho,;ld come to grief this time.
nd there !,-lt's uobody's e fault" Its
M mily lard'n said Archie. alt the !
tnne of war" replied Debenham,
= terly. The stormy Petrel was now
ing passively to. just swaying, WIN
os swell of the sea; and they could alre
IN hear the approaching clatter OF
ais cruisers paddle-wheels. III M
have been worse,' continued Debenh
e. more to hi nself than to Archie.
might have happened the first tim
so still ! wish we had got -through
M ary; .,,M,Then, muttering again TN
" 9hce, y Torture CT war" he wsnt
) 90 NAs sbgH Aud shut the door. lie C
~ Hi65S e3RHhfe to be preseht at the sur
va ler. '--.Debenkmn's Vor-