Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-05

THE FISHER.BOY'S SrRATAGEM.


the town of Boston. Near them, upon an
old cask, sat a youth of not more than six
teen years, who seemed intent upon moth
ing more than the occupation of keeping
his hands warm by slapping them upon
his knees. He had been sitting thus about
fifteen minutes, when the elder of the two
men turned and beckoned him to approach.
Your name is Maxwell, is it p' asked
the gentleman, as the youth drew near.
Hugh Maxwell. sir"
MIR. Ross tells me that you think you
could run your shallop o:,t of the harbor"
Eyes, sir, think. can"
''Do you understand the nature of your
errand5"
"Only that must go out of the harbor
to do it, that's all, replied the youth
'Ihen," said the gentleman-whose
name was Greene-"you are not aware
that you may have to remain outside for
several days ?"
Nor do care," answered the YOUTH
'if remain out forever, only so that my
work shall be for the good OF the Colo
MES"
''Ihere is q large vessel on her way
from Glasgow to this place, and our peo-
pie are in much want of her, so much so
that some risk must be run to get possess
sion of her. Now if the information can
only be conveyed to Captain Manley that
she is daily expected, he will be on the
watch for her, and if John Manley once
gets his eyes on her, she is sure to be the
property OF Washington. Manley's ves-
sci, the Lee, is somewhere between here
and Plymouth, and we want the informa-
ton conveyed to him as soon as possible
DO YOU think YOU can do itpn
Eyes, sir,n emphatically answered the
youth.
"When can you leave the harbor?"
"This very evening, if you wish"
"But you are aware that every precau-
ton is taken by the vessels in the harbor
to prevent even the smallest boat from
going out.
81 know it, sir" answered Hugh; "but
ifyou will place your instructions in let
ter, will deliver them TO Capt Manley, if
his vessel is in Massachusetts Bay"
1t was soon agreed that Hugh Maxwell
should call at the house of Mr.. Greene af-
ter dinner, at which time and place he
should receive the necessary instructions,
and as the two gentlemen turned to leave
the wharf, Hugh followed them till he
came to the street, and then turning off
he passed down Ship street till he came to
a small dock just south of Grants ship
yard, where lay moored handsomely
built shallop of not less than fifteen tons
burden. She was slightly icebound, but
with assistance of two men, who stepped
on board, he soon had her in good sailing
order, and before long he had everything
in readiness for the adventure. He had
obtained the letter from Captain Manlev,
which he very carefully rolled up within
a piece of sheet lead, so that in case of
accident he might sink it, and he had also
obtained the assistance of four fishermen
who were nothing 10th to get out OF a
place where their daily avocation was
placed under such an uncompromising en-
barge.
1t was drawing towards dusk, when an
English mid-shipman, accompanied by Il
sergeant of marines, came running down
Battery Alley, and stopping the sentry,
whose post extended from Grant to Bur-
rough's wharves, he asked:
Sentry, is there a boat anywhere about
here that can be very easily and very quick
ly cast OFF,
Nothing smaller than Maxwell's shall
lop. sir, replied the soldier, as he gazed
in Wonder upon the excited countenance
of the young officer.
Never mind the size," hastily cried the
midshipman, "only show me where it
lays. Be quick, too, or the rebels will
have the start of u.s.
The sentry Immediately led The way to
the dock where the shallop lay, and as
soon as he had pointed it out, the midship-
man hailed one of the men that stood up
on the deck.
''Hallo, there, on board that shallop-
how many men have you on board ?"
There's three of us, sir, was the reply
from the vessel.
Then start up smartly, all of you, and
get on board the Commodore's ship as
soon as possible"
But, sir,"' urged the man thus address,
ed, "this vessel belongs to another man,
and we have no"
"Silence, SIR hastily interrupted the
officer; 81 bear the Kings commission,
and if you dare to disobey me I'll shoot
you the moment you do it. Start up your
men, and cast off your shore fasts. Bear
a hand, now.' Then tnrning to his COM
panion, the officer continued:
Here, sergeant, you cast off that head
line, while | jump on board and start up
those lazy rebels" I"
AS he spoke, he caught hold of the
mainstay and slid down upon the deck
and then drawing pistol from his pocket
he set the three men about the desired
work. As soon as the sergeant had cast
off the line he also slid down upon the
deck, and in n few minutes the sails were
loosened, and the vessel started out. For
the first time the sentry began to think
that the officer ought to have pass, and
as the thought found room among the ex-
cited imaginations OF his brain, he limited
the fact to the officer.
"Ah, yes, had forgotten, returned the
officer. Here, you man there forward
get out boat hook and stop her. and tax
ing piece of folded paper from his
pocket, he passed it up to the sentry, say
ing as he did so "There is General Howe's
pass, and when Col. Sutherland comes
he will be here in ten minutes-teli him
that have obtained boat, and shall inn
mediately pass the Generals communica-
ton to the Admiral
The halt-bewildered sentry said he
would, and as the shallop put off he very
naturally opened the paper he held in his
hand. but il had got so dusky that he could