River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-10-11
THE ENEMY'S FLAG.

modore Coe, the commander Of the smal
navy of Monteyideo.
The lady was Spanish by birth as well al
feelings, and the Cause Of her anger wa
the sight Of ship which had been for t~'
days standing of and before the harbo-
using every species IF Insult and defiance
to induce the vessel of the commodore t
come out and fght him.
This the latter could not d. for two Fea-
sons; the first was illness which confined
him to his cot the second, that he had not
OEe-third Of crew, and not even men
enough to man his battery.
1t the moment when she uttered the
words which commence this sketch, Cap
tam Brown, the commander of the BIenO5
Aytian ship. had hol5tei d4g wheIeon
was painted 10 large characters the insulting
inscription, "COe tho Coward" This vas
more than his noble and fiery wife could
stand for she well knew her husband S
truth and valor
After gazing for one instant at the II *.
she raised her ieweIed hand and taking Oh
a diamond ring Of great value, exclaimed
to the men who stood around her on tn
deck
Il will give this diamond to any man who
will bring me yondet Gag.
For moment there was no response.
The men looked at their officers, and Off
GERS looked at each other, but volunteers
seemed scarce
"What! is there no one of all Of you who
will dare the trulli is my husbands ship
indeed manned with cOWardsi' exclaimed
the lady, her beautiful lips curling witt
scorn, and her tshng eye cleaning with
the fire Of contempt.
young officer, who had been lately APP
pointed, stepped forward, and modestly
said
Il was only whiting for my seniors to
speak, sonora Had amy one Of them vol
unteered. should have begged to accom-
pany him.
AS it IS, pledge ayseif to bring you
yonder flag before The sun rises again, o.
to die. But 1 ask not your jewel as priz
10 nv success; Que trFss OF your glossy
hair shall be my reward
You shall have both, brave boy" replied
the lady, aud herlaok oc cold scorn changed
into a sweet smile sue asked him his
name.
1t is Frank Bennett, replied the youth,
aud he blushed beneath her earnest gaze.
He was sim but s4ll formed; looked vely
young, but in his dark blue eye and com
pressed lip an observer could read the man
hood of mind, not years.
The sun was setting behind bank Of
slowly rising clouds, which threatened
darkness and storm The moment That his
services were accepted, young Bennett
turned to the crew, and as he glance d
among them he said, II want SIX men e
man the whale boat.
Struck by his gallantry, nearly one-haii
of the crew started forward. NOW that they
had a leader, volunteers were plentiful.
Bennett glanced his eye over them. on1
chose six Americans, men whom he knew
to be both daring and firm.
Go sharpen your cutlasses, said he, y
shall not have a pistol or muszat on board
If we fight il must be sword to sword, ant
so we succeed in our object or perish.
The men answered by a look. Theg
were Of that class who are Of deeds not
words. They hurried below TO make THEN
preparatious, while some of the crew pro-
ceeded to muiile the oars, arrange tine
sails, &c.
one half hour later the sky was covered
with clouds, and darkness had set in.
Bennett had been careful when the las
light of the day gave opportunity to take tn,
exact position of the enemys ship, which
was living OIL the shore. and by this alone h
hoped 10 be able to find her.
During this time the lady was on th'
deck, regarding the arrangements of the
little party who were about 10 push on. AT
tho moment when the boats crew cried
out that all was ready fOI Il start, their
young leader approached the sonora, and
taking from his neck "a miniature, h.
handed it 70 her with letter, saying
"If | am not on board by sunrise, lady,
YOU wilt fulil sailors dying wish If you
transmit these to the direction Oh the let
IN
The lady looked al inc picture, it was the
likeness of a young and beautiful girl. 4
tear started 60 her eye.
All forgive me- ,h exclaimed, who
would in monent Of passion, h,vs per
Illed the life OF one who has Other duties
AMI ties which bid him live. Your life Is
precious. l viii not expose it.
This is NY only sister, whom I almost
adore interrupted the youth, but enc
VIII. would bush for NE if played the
coward. ana d,sh1nGred the name of my
bravo father Send the letter, sonora, and
the likeness, if | fall. Farewell till to NOR
row, or forever
The lady was about to answer, and again
10 entrent him to stay, but IN an instant no
was over The side, and the boat pushed
off
The night vas pi,chy dark. A calm was
on the sea and IN the air. but it was protein
tons Of a storm. small light and com
pass had been placed in the boat, and by
these the Young sailor shaped his course,
Give way, my lads, long, strong, and
eady pull, said he in a low tone, as he
left She ships side, aud he soon felt. by
the trembling Of the frail boat, that his di-
rections wera obeyed. They pulled straight
in the direction of the ship ana out to sea,
regardless Of the approaching storm, the
Young officer keeping his eye steadily fixed
en- the compass, until he knew if the vessel
remained IN the position she was IN at sun
set, that he must be vesy near her. But
be looked in vain to see her dark figure
looming up in tho gloom. At this moment,
when he WAS completely at loss which
way to steer. the dark clouds which had
bsen gathering round them burst with VI
vtd flash Of lightning, ana peal Of delfeu-
iur thunder He heard not the thunder,
he Needed not the rising storm. That Hash
Of lightning has showed him the vessel at q
short distance from him.
Steady. my men. steady" he whis-
pered. when the thunder ceased, Il shall
null directly under her stern.
AttAis instant another fash of lightning
illuminated the sky and water, and then. as
he glanced up where thefgg had been hoist
"a during the day, he saw that it Was no
longer there, it had 5esn moved. lie
paused for a moment 10 thin what was to
he done. and then formed Lia resolution.
al shall 90 on board alone, men, SAID
he. Keep the boat where she Is, exactly.
IL the dag is where think It is, IN the cap
t,in's cabin. will have it. II I am not
hack IN five minutes and yOu should hear
any alarm. make the best Of your way 70 the
shin and tell the sonora and mates that /
Ejed like a man. You must be cautious.
Take in the sail, for the storm will be upon
rs in a few minutes.
These hasty commands were whlspe Ell
10 the men. who laant forward in the boat
to catch the 0rSers they dared not dIsobey,
much as they wished TO share their leader 5
peril.
Springing lightly from the boat, the
Young man caught the uea5nEs, which we're
within reach, and noisetessly assembled to
the bujwar6s
He could hear the regular tramp Of the
officer on deck, who, having everything AZ
ranged for the coming storm, had but little
active business TO occupy him.
See him ne cullgss -. - : rs
7oIrenefrIbie 53gknesS Of the nlgnt. Nald
tbe care which was taken to prevent light
being used on the shin that might be the
means of betnying Inc position OF the yes
sol TO their enemies on shore.
For a second he listened with throcons
heart to the steps as they approached him
The officer turned once more, and II tina
instant the Callant young sailor was dowT
~ the decs and at the cabin door, which
stood slightly ajar.
He peeped in through the marrow cFacA'