South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-06-16
FnE Usher BOYS sTRkrlGEM.

1T was a bright morning, but cold with
al, in the month o. December, 1775. that
tSO men stopd upon Hsncock's wharf, in
the town Of Boston. Near them, upon
an old cask, sat ayouth of not more thsn
sixteen years, who seemed intent upon
nothing more than the occupation of
keeping his hands warm by slspping
them upon his knees. He had been sit
ting thus about fifteen minutes, when the
elder ofthe two men turned and beckoned
him to approach. sF.tL
your name is Maxwell, is itg" asked
the gentleman, as the youth drew near.
"Hugh Maxwell, sir"
Mr.. Ross tells me that you think YOU
can run your shallop out of the harbor."
Yes, sir, l think | can -"
%Do YOU understand the nature of your
errandy"
Only that l must go out of the harbor
to do it. that's all" replied the youth.
Then" said the gentleman, whose
name was GHene-tyou are not aware
that yeu may have to remain outside for
several daysg"
Nor do I care" answered the youth,
"n1 remain out forever, only that my
work shall be for the good of the colo
mics"
"There is a 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 posses
sion of her. Now if the information could
only be conveyed to Captain Manley that
she is daily expected, we 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 YES
cal tho Ia &c I1npoanhArn hafu-aan hpra
and Plymouth, and we want the informa-
ton conveyed to him as soon as possible,
Do you think you can do it 2"rE
"Yes, sir" emphatically answered the
boy.
"When can you leave the hsrbor ?"
~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 60
ing out"
IL know it sir" answered Hughs " but
If you viii place your instructions in a
letter, / 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
after 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 down
Ship Street till ne came to a small dock
Just south of Grants shipyard, where lay
moored q handsomely built shallop of not
= less than fifteen tons burden. She was
slightly ice-bound, but with the assistance
of two men, who stepped on board, he
soon had her in good sailing order, and be-
fore long he he had everything in readi-
ness for the adventure. He had obtained
a letter for Captain Manley, 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 uacompromising embargo.
1t was drawing towards dusk, when an
English midshipman came running down
Battery Alley, and stopping the sentry,
whose post extended from Grants to
Burroughs wharves, he asked:
"Sentry, is there q boat anywhere about
here that can be very easily and very
quickly cast OFF,"
Nothing smaller than MaxweI'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 m~idshipman, "only show ne where
she lays. Be quick, Joo, or the rebels
viii 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
upon the deck.
HALO, there, on board that shallop-
how many men have you on boardf'
there's three of us, sir" was the re-
ply from the vessel.
"Then start up smartly, an ofyou, and
get on board the Commodore's ship as
soon as possible
"But, sir" urged the man thus ad-
dressed, this vessel belongs to another
man, and we have no'-
"Silence, sir, hastily interrupted the Of
fcer; 81 bear The Kings commission, and
if youdare 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 turning to his COM
panion. the officer continued:
Here sergeant, you cast of that head
line, while | jump on board and start up
those lazy rebelsro
- As he spoke he caught hold of the
mains ay and slid down upon the deck,
and then drawing the pis oil from his peck
ct, b. sat the three men about the desired
work. As soon as the saTgeaHt had cast
off he line, he also slid down upon the
deck, and in q f W minutes the sails were
loosened, and the vessel started out. For
the firss line the sentry began 10 think
that the officer ought to have a pass, and
as the thought found room among The X
cited imsgin ions of his brain, he limited
the facS to the officer.
Ah, yes; 1 had forgotten" returned
the officer Here, you man there, for
ward, get out a boat hook and stop her"
and taking a piece of folded paper from
his pocket he passed it-up TO the sentry,
saying as he did SO :%There is General
Howe's pass, and when Col. Sutherland
comes-he will be here in ten minutes-
tell him l lave obtained a boat, and shall
Immediately pass the Generals communi-
ca ions 10 the Admiral az
The half-bewildered sentry said he
would, and as the shallop put off he very
naturally opened the paper he held in his
hand, but it had got so dusky that he
could not T. ad, and so, as the paper looked
all right, he very confidently. placed it in
his catridge-box, wondering very much
what impor ant thing had turned up, and
also mutt ring something about being glad
thai the officer made them I" Yankees T" stir
their stumps.
The wind was blowing briskly from the
northward, and the shallop had it fair, and
with flowing sheets she. started down the
harbor. As she neared the Admiral's
ship, which lay just off Noodles Island, |
the midshipman had the sheets hauled in,
and showing the helm down, the small
vessel very gracefully cam up under the
ships stern.
Boat ahoyf' shouted the officer of the
deck from the poop of the ship.
THE Generals yacht" answered the
MILDLY. lis Admiral Graves on boards"
"No-he is at the Generals Quarters,"
answered the officer of the ship.
" No; he left there over an hour ago."
replied the MILDLY, " and forgot his orders,
so I've had TO bring them off. Can you
catch them"
Eyes"
"Look out then" and so saying the
midshipman threw a sealed packet up,
which the lieutenant easily caught.
Now" continued the young COM
mander of the shallop, will you have the