The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-08-27

deck and unlashed the hammock which
hung next TO his own; which operation
being performed he proceeded to undress
himself, hanging his clothes rs he did so
upon the clews Of his hammock. The
four hours duty had given the corporal
an excellent appetite for sleep, and in
less than FIVE minutes after he touched
his mattress he began TO snore.
"Now, or never" thought Tom, is
my chance !" and with this in his mind
he slipped quietly out from his ham
mock, and proceeded to divest himself
Of his clothes, which having been accom-
pli-hed, he very unccremoniously sub
stituted those Of the snoring corporal in
their place, and then sat down upon the
breeching gun TO mediate further upon
his plans
One bell struck, and the sentinels
passed the usual Calls WELL" Then
Tenn heard the corporal, as he started to
20 his rounds, and ere long he decended
the main hatch ladder, to visit the post
below. No sooner had the marine officer
passed beyond the galley, than our hero
sprang up the ladder and gained the
spar-deck. The officer Of the deck was
aft upon the starboard side; the sentries
were walking their posts with regular
tread, while the old quartermaster stood
upon the poop, with his night-glass under
his arm. The sentries performed their
walk upon the gang-boards, raised even
with the bottom of the hammock net
tings, and running forward from the lad
ders. The starboard gangway was
shaded from the light of the moon by
the awnings; and walking deliberately
up the ladder, Tom looked over the ships
side.
"Sentry," said he, in mumbling sort
of a tone, "what boat is that at the
boom ~
"The second cutter" returned the
marine, showing from his manner that
he had no suspicious Of the spurious cor
poral.
Tom Immediately walked aft to where
stood the officer of the deck, and being
quite assured by the mistake Of the sen.
try, he pulled his cap down over his
eyes, and, touching his visor respectfully,
remarked:
al should like to overhaul that second
cutter, sir, for think their IL rum
aboard of her."
Tom knew he was playinga desperate
game, but liberty was TO be the result Of
success, and he flinched not hair.
"Ha! the villains " uttered the lieu
tenant; cup to those old tricks again.
Go, corporal, get down into the boat, and
If you find rum in her they'll catch it,"
Tom started quickly forward, but just
as he got abreast of the fore hatchway,
he saw the Simon Pure corporaps head
rising above the combings. The marine
assembled no higher, for with one blow Of
his fist Tom sent him back from whence
he came, and then spiang quickly out
through the port upon the swinging
boom, and having reached the place
where the second cutters painter was
made fast, he hauled the boat up and
leaped into her. The food tide was set
ting up the river strongly, and quick as
thought Tom cut of the painter and
rapidly dropped astern.
"Help-help!" shouted our hero, al
the top of his voice. "The boats got
loose"
SECT out a couple of oars, you lubber
cried the officer of the deck, as he Jump
ed upon the poop on hearing the cry,
where he arrived just as the cutter was
sweeping past the quarter. "You car
hold her against the tide"
Tom did get out couple of oars, but
the moment he got them balanced in the
oar-locks he commenced pulling for dear
life, and, to the utter CONSERVATION Of
the lieutenant, the boat started rapidly
up the river. All the sentries on deck
were Immediately called upon the poop,
and their muskets were discharged at
the deserter, but, though two Of the balls
whistled near the boat, yet none Of them
did any harm, and on the next moment
Tom heard the third cutter called, but
he knew the men were all sound asleep in
their hammocks, and 30 he felt secure.
1t was ten minutes before the third cutter
'.--- -. N 49, 49, Alp, ....J io.s &c
they reached Tom he had gained the
| shore. and WAS running at a remark HE
speed towards the citv. which he reached
in safety. and before two o,clock no was
ON board his own brig
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