Middletown transcript., 1883-04-20

watch of the whole The lugger must
inevitably pass within hail of me, but
what if my strength was ebbing fast !?
had been without food since noon. 1
had walked many miles. Swimming is
an exacting, exerting exercise, and l
had still to exert myself resolutely,
with the tide running fast, to maintain
my present position. My limbs moved
mechanically, my head was dull and
heavy, and there was sort of tingling
in my ears. I knew 1 was going fast.
A little CLEAN of parting waters, a
black mass looking blacker than the
darkness, and summoned all my ener-
gies for shout. Little Lady,
ahoy -
A voice came from the darkness !:
"Little Lady it is. Who are you p"
clay to and throw rope over your
starboard quarter"
The lugger was not thirty yards dis
tant. made my last effort and swan
to her, A rope was thrown; they hauled
me on board, and had just time to
give my warning before fell fainting
on the deck
When l came to, the last keg of our
cargo was being lowered into the sea.
We were some little distance up the
coast, and floats were attached to the
kegs so that we might be able to find
them again. So expeditiously was all
this done that it was only some two
hours afterward when we beat eau
tiously up the channel and cast anchor
opposite the mouth of the gully. We
pulled ashore in our boat. AS she
grounded and we leaped out, dark fig
ures started up around, lights flashed
upon US and we were surrounded by
soldiers.
SIN the Kings name," said the
young officer, advancing with his sword
drawn and his cloak thrown back to
show his scarlet uniform.
1t was a picturesque group, illum-
mated by the Pickering light of the
soldiers torches. My tall old grandsire
with his weather-beaten face and gray
hair the boyish, handsome officer,
bright with scarlet and steel stolid
seamen in their jerseys and sou'westers;
the soldiers, with their bronzed faces
and glittering accountrements, and, I
suppose, myself, keeping under shelter
of my stalwart grandsire, disguised, as
I was, in suit of oilskins and big
sou'wester that almost covered my re-
bellious hair.
My grandfather said nothing when
5he young Lieutenant ordered the Ser
geant to board the lugger, and only a
quiet twinkle of his keen gray eye
showed his enjoyment Of the scene. He
stood looking up at the sky, while the
Lieutenant kept his eyes fixed on the
ground and toyed with his sword-belt.
The soldiers had to row, and clumsily
'nough they did it, provoking one of
he seamen to loud guffaw, which was
instantly suppressed.
The Sergeant was back again pretty
oon; his red face was purple with
wrath. We've been made fools of,
If, he exclaimed, saluting the Lieu
enant. Nothing on board except
ONE meats"
The Lieutenant's face fell an instant;
hen he looked at the Sergeant's wrath :
III countenance, and bit his lip to keep !
rom smiling. .
The Sergeant was at white heat.
With your permission, sir, I'll search ;
hese fellows" says he.
eff you like," answered the Lieuten-
mt carelessly. :,
The search was soon accomplished, !.
nd they found nothing that they
7anted. kept behind my grandfather's
ack, hoping to escape observation.
But the Sergeant caught me by the
1rist. Ny grandfather interposed.
"There is nothing contIaband on
hat boy" said he peremptorily. :
Well soon see that, y answered the
older, grasping my wrist until 1 could
ave screamed with pain.
My grandfather did not strike him, :
ut administered a kind of push with :
is heavy shoulder that sent the Ser :,
cant, big as he was, staggering yard
r two. With loosing of his hold I I
Tipped and almost fell ; off went my
and down, alas streamed :.
~ long brown hair all over me. The j.
oung officer instantly stepped between
be Sergeant and me.
"I don't think we need search this
I" he said in tone of quiet
He is not likely to have
nything contrabanda dabout him. Where
ave you been tonight ?'' he added, +
lrning to my grandfather, while 1 got |,
ito the background, conscious that Fl
le young gentleman's eyes had found Ii
le out. q
" Lobster fishing" answered my :,
unblushingly. g g
" Not much sport, Pm afraid" said :,
le Lieutenant, looking abstractedly :, =
YER my grandfather's shoulder. :
"Not a great deal,'' answered my :, :
randfather. "But we've taken as :,
Iuch as you, sir. Perhaps you would + :
ke to come with us some time and we y,
light do better.'' !,
" Perhaps will, answered the off y =
II, still glancing over the others :,
BOULDER. " Meanwhile, l am sorry to :;
ave caused you oryours any annoyance. a
to you. Fall in men,"
And away they went. But my grand : :
.ther gave up the trade soon after that =
Id sold the lugger. = =
Grandmamma paused and looked at :
'andpapa with smile. "
" And did you never see the Lieuten- =