The Northern Pacific farmer., 1883-10-11
THE ENEMY'S FLAG.

What injustice! What insolence! Thes'
words were uttered by lovely woman
whose flushed cheek, flashing eye, an,
knitted brow, spoke even more than tn
words of the indignation which filled he
heart. She was the young wife of Com
modore Coe, the commander Of the smal
navy of Montevideo.
The lady was Spanish by birth as we'll a.
feelings, and the cause of her anger wa:
the sight of ship which had been for tw,
days standing off and en- before the harbor
using every species of insult and defiance
to Induce the vessel of the commodore t,
come out and fight him.
This the latter could not do for two rea-
sons; the first was illness which confined
him to his cot, the second, that he had no
one-third of crew, and not even me1
enough 10 man his battery.
At the moment when she uttered the
words which commence this sketch. Cap
tain Brown, the commander of the Buenos
.Ayrian ship. had hoisted a flag, whereon
was painted in large characters the insulting
inscription, "Coe the Coward" This was
more than his noble and fiery wife could
stand, for she we'll knew her husbands S
truth and valor.
After gazing for one instant at the fl lg,
she raised her jewelled hand, and taking of
diamond ring of great value, exclaimed
to the men who stood around her on the
deck:-
II will give this diamond to any man who
will bring me yonder flag
For moment there was no response.
The men looked at their officers, and off
GERS looked at each other, but volunteers
seemed scarce.
"Wkat! is there no one of all Of you who
will dare the trial? Is my husbands ship
indeed manned with cowards?" exclaimed
the lady, her beautiful lips curling with
scorn, and her flushing eye gleaming with
the fire Of contempt.
A young officer, who had been lately ap-
pointed, stepped forward. and modestly
said
Il was only waiting for my seniors to
speak, sonora. Had any one of them vol
unteered should have begged to accom-
pany him.
AS it is, pledgo pvself to bring you
yonder flag before the sun rises again, o,
to die. But l ask not your jewel as prize
to my success; ono tress of your glossy
hair shall be my reward"
"You shall have both, brave boy" replied
the lady, and her look q cold scorn changed
into sweet smile as she asked him his
name,
1T is Frank Bennett" replied the youth
ana he blushed beneath her earnest gaze
He was slim, but we'll formed; looked very
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 q bank Of
slowly rising Clouds which threatened
darkness and storm. The moment tnnt his
services were accepted, young Bennett
turned to the crew, and as he g!anct G
among them he said II want six men tc
man the whale boat"
Struck by his galantry, nearly one-hal1
of the crew started forward. Now that they
had leader, volunteers were plentiful:
Bennett glanced his eye over them, an(
chose six Americans, men whom he knew
to be both daring and firm.
go sharpen your cutlasses," said he, 81
shall not have pistol or musket on board
If we fight it must be sword to sword, anl
so we succeed in our object or perish.
The men answered by look TheT
we're Of that class who are Of deeds, no
words. They hurried below to make theil
preparations, while some of the crew pro-
oeeded to muflle the oars, arrange the
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 th4
exact position of the enemy's ship, whlcl
was living off the shore. and by this alone h
hoped to be able to find her.
During this time the lady was on th
deck, regarding the arrangements Of the
little party who we're about to push on. AT
the moment when the bouts crew cried
out that all was ready fo, G. start, their
young leader approached the sonora, and
taking from his neck q miniature. he
handed it to her with letter, saying:
"If am not on board by sunrise, lady,
you will fulfil sailors dying wish if you
transmit these to the direction Oh the let
tr."
The lady looked at the picture, it was the
likeness Of a young and beautiful girl. A
tear started TO her eye.
"Ah, forgive me,' she exclaimed, who
illed the life of one who has other duties
and ties which bid him live. Your life is
precious. will not expose it."
This is my only sister, whom I almost
ADORE" interrupted the youth, :'but one
who would blush for me if played the
coward, and dishoncred the name of my
brave 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
to entreat him to stay, but in an instant he
was over the side, and the boat pushed
off.
Ths night vas pitchy dark. A calm was
on the sea and in the air, but it was protein.
tous of storm. A 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
steady pull" said he, in low tone, as he
left the ships side, and he soon felt, by
the trembling OF the frail boat, that his di-
rections were obeyed. They pulled straight
in the direction Of the ship and out to sea,
regardless of the approaching storm, the
young officer keeping his eye steadily fixed
on the compass, until he knew if the vessel
set, that he must be YER; near her. But
he looked in vain to see her dark figure
looming up in the gloom. At this moment,
when he was completely at loss which
way to steer, the dark clouds which had
been gathering round them burst with vi
vid flash of lightning, and peal Of deafen-
ing thunder. He heard not the thunder,
he needed not the rising storm. That flash
Of lightning has showed him the vessel at a
short distance from him.
STEADY, my men, steady" he whis-
pered, when the thunder ceased, II shal
pull directly under her stern"
At this instant, another flash of lightning
Illuminated the sky and water, and then. as
be glanced up where the flag had been hoist
ed during the day, he Saw that it was nc
onger there, it had been removed. de
oaused for moment to think what was to
be done, and then formed his resolution
II shall 60 on board alone, men, said
he. Keep the boat where she is, exactly.
Z the flag is where think it is, in the cap
aims cabin, I will have it. IF I am moi
pack in five minutes, and you should heal
nv alarm, make the best of your way to the
hin and tell the sonora and mates that
lied like a man. You must be cautious
Take in the sail, for the storm will be upor
Is in few minutes"
These hasty commands were whispe ed
the men, who leant forward in the boat
catch the orders they dared not disobey,
,neh as thew wished to share their leaders
eril. y =,
Snrinping lightly from the boat, th'
oung man caught the nettings, which were
Thin reach, and noiselessly assembled II
be bulwarks.
He could hear the regular tramp of the
6icer on deck, who, having everything ar
hnred for the coming storm, had but little
ctiye business to occupy him.
SEQ him No cUulu o.---c~:-.: OF tnt
mnanetrabIe darkness OF the n1gnJ, al'
Eel care which was taken to prevent igh
einp used on the ship that might be tn
heans of betraying the position of the yes
81 70 their enemies on shore. -..