The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-04-14

exchange news, was ship chambers,
kept by a bluff, full -blooded John Bull,
who was rank secessionist.
young man attred in rather shah
BY suit Of 'longshore togs, joined the
throng lounging about the doors one sun
ny forenoon, and in timid, shy manner
accosted one Of the short, thickset indi-
viduals, attired in pilot cloth, possessing
an unmistakable stamp of the true salt.
'1ou want to see the Captain of the
Phantom, eli? And what the dickens
can be your business with Black Jack
my hearty? ~
Il prefer to tell that to him in person,
if you please, sir
''You do, eh?" and the sharp, pene-
trating gray eyes fastened upon the young
man, and took in all his dimensions at
once. swell, spin your yarn for my time
is short, and have no leisure to waste.
service. Step this way We'll be a bit
more private"
II understand you will soon sail for
Wilmington"
'Do YOU" and again the keen eye
seemed to penetrate to the very soul of
the shabby stranger,
'les, sir, and | am anxious to reach
my native land. am a South Carolinian,
a native of Charleston. My parents are
Tfll known there. was wild, and fool
isniy ran away. have tested the pangs
of poverty and
"No shot in the locker, eh? How
much do you want 2 and the blockade
runner hauled out handful of gold, with
the we'll known generosity of his class.
The young man flushed, stammered and
heSit;ltcu
i do not want that, Captain. Many,
many thanks. | am not in immediate
want But | am anxious to regain the
soil of my native State have had some
experience on the sea; could make my
self useful and will work my passage, if
you will only grant my request"
"Poor and proud like all the pesky South
erners, muttered the seaman. GLOW do
| know YOU are not a Yankee spy? The
town is tull of them"
''Would be likely to place my head
in the lions mouth by going direct to a
Confederate stronghold p
"possibly not with Black Jack, for
have a way of dealing out quick justice
to those | suspect of treason" and he
tapped the butt OF revolver in his inner
coat pocket in amost significant manner.
How did You come here - he inquired
abruptly
''On the British mail steamer
"llumph, very satisfactory that. Give
nc your hand and look me in the eye.
Ah, hal solitaire diamond, Ell. DO
sailors and prodigal sons usually wear an
appendagc Of that kind? Speak ~ and a
deep trown darkened the seaman's ruddy
cOuntenance.
1T was my mothers gift, sir, and |
have preserved it through all my folly
and misery" he responded simply yet
teelingly, as he gazed without shrinking
into his companions gHttering eyes.
Il, too, had mother once" he NUT
tered. Then looking suddenly up, he
added; 'Aou can 90, but all Of my men
are picked and true. You can mess with
the petty officers Don't YOU meddle
with any duty. My eye will be on you.
Depend upon that, and when we reach
Wilmington | shall turn you over to the
military authorities for them to test the
truth Of your statement. DO you accept
my terms ?"
"Only too gladly and thankfully, my
dear sir"
"Then be on board at sunuown There
is no knowing what may occur before the
sun rises And with a careless nod the
master Of the Phantom sauntered away.
Faint Stleaks Of light were illuminating
the dull, grey horizon, announcing the
approach Of the god Of day, as the phan-
tom rapidly and quietly slipped out of the
harbor with a lig hit cargo Of war material
destined for the Southerners. Nothing
OF Importance occurred up to within two
days sail Of Wilmington when the chief
mate was taken suddenly and seriously
i'll. The balance Of the officers could not
navigate, which fact seriously incommOd-
ed the dark featured master. The young
stranger quietly offered to take sights
While the superior noted the time, and
bis services were gladly accepted. Every
thing had been timed to nicely, so that
the fleet would be encountered at mid
night. \ heavy dew, the sure runner of
a southerly breeze, dampened the deck,
friendly obscurity III favor Of the little
vessel. All hands were on deck, the fur
naces cleaned with an intense heat
while every precaution had been taken
to Slip by the grim watch dogs of the
Federal navy with as little trouble and
risk as possible. The captain. glasses
in hand, stood in front Of the pilot house
carefully scanning the horizon.
''To0 bad | am robbed OF the mates
services, when | need him the most. He
had the keenest eye of us ALL And the
seaman drummed nervously on the rail
ing with his fingers, BY his side stood
the unassuming passenger, quiet, sub
dued and silent.
"We shall soon be in amongst them,
muttered the guiding spirit Of the Phan-
tom. II see the loom Of the land plainly
enough. 1t can't be possible the fleet has
been blown oil shore--Ha. that's youl
game. is it ~ and signalling to the engi-
n2er, the steamer daIted ahead like a
startled deer
\ small steam launch, mounting how
itZer in the bow, had dritted down upon
the blockade runner unObServed, but il
their eagerness to secure the prize, the
gun was fired too soon. The shell eX-
ploded harmlessly, but the steamer with
her rich cargo was lost to them. The re-
port OF the gun was the signal for a sud
den and grand display Of naval pyrotech-
ncs On all sides rockets and coloreG
lights could be seen, while in the distance
the rumble and splash Of revolving wheels
could be distinctly heard on beard the
Phantom. The engines had been stop
ped, while Black Jack noted the fact that
his steamer was literally surrounded, hello
in by Gordon of vigilant, active enemies
There is only one chance left, and
that is to haul off shore and wait fol
another opportunity. They are swarm
ing around us like bees
"We can play them trick, Captain
that | have often seen tried successfully
by opium smugglers on the coast of China
when desirous of eluding the mandarin
boats"
hot - T.,