The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-12
THE ENEMY's FLAG.


What injustice! What insolence! These
words we're uttered BY lovely woman,
whose flushed cheek. flashing eye, and
knitted brow, spoke even more than the
words Of the indignation which filled her
heart. She was the young wife Of Com
modore Coe, the commander Of the small
navy of Montevideo.
The lady was Spanish by birth as we'll as
feelings, and the cause of her anger was
the sight of ship which had been for two
days standing off and On before the harbor.
using every species Of insult and defiance
to induce the vessel Of the commodore to
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 not
one-third Of crew, and not even men
enough to 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 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
truth and valor. 49,,
After gazing for one instant at the f,g
she raised her jewelled hand, and taking Of
diamond ring of great value, exclaimed
to the men who stood around her on the
deck
Il 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.
"What! is there no one of all of you who
will dare the trial2 Is my husbands ship
indeed manned with cowards?" exclaimed
the lady, her beautiful lips curling with
scorn, and her flashing eye cleaning with
the fire Of contempt.
A young officer, who had been lately ap-
pointed, stepped forward. and modestly
said
Twas only waiting for my seniors to
speak. sonora. Had any one Of them VOL
unteered. I should have begged to accom-
pany him.
AS it is, I pledge myself to bring you
yonder flag before the sun rises again, or
to die. But ask not your jewel as prize
to my success; one tress of your glossy
hair shall be my reward"
You shall have both, brave boy" replied
the lady, aud her look of cold scorn changed
into sweet smile as she asked him his
name.
1T is Frank Bennett, replied the youth,
and he blushed beneath her earnest gaze.
He was slim, but well 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 bank Of
slowly rising clouds, which threatened
services were. accepted, young Bennett
turned to the crew. and as he glance d
among them he said, II want six men to
man the whale boat"
Struck by his galIantry, nearly one-haif
of the crew started forward. Now that they
had leader, volunteers were plentiful.
Bennett glanced his eye over them, and
chose six Americans. men whom he knew
Ito be both daring and firm.
Go sharpen your cutlasses," said he, Il
shall not have pistol or musket on board
It we fight it must be sword to sword, and
SO We succeed in our object or perish"
The men answered by a look. They
we're Of that class who are of deeds, moi
words. They hurried below to make theil
preparations, while some of the crew pro.
ceeded to mutf1e 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 last
light of the day gave opportunity to take the
enact position Of the enemy's ship, which
was lying off the shore. and by this alone hi
hoped to be able to find her.
During this time the lady was on ths
deck, regarding the arrangements OF the
little party who were about to push on. At
the moment when the boats crew cried
out that all was ready for a start. their
young leader approached the sonora, and
taking from his neck q miniature, he
handed it to her with letter, saying:
i "If am not on board by sunrise, lady,
you wilt fulfil sailors dying wish if you
transmit these to the direction on the let
IT,"
The lady looked at the picture, it was the
likeness Of q young and beautiful girl. A
tear started to her eve.
An, forgive me" she exclaimed who
would. in moment Of passion, have per-
llled the life Of one who has other duties
and ties which bid him live. Your life is
precious. I 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 dishonored tho name of NV
brave father. Send the letter, sonora, and
the likeness, if fall. Farewell till to .mor-
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 bout pushed
off.
The night vas pitchy dark. A calm was
on the sea and in the air, but it was protein.
tous Of a 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 d. |
rections wero obeyed. They pulled straight |
in the direction Of the ship and out to SEQ,
regardless of the approaching storm, the
young officer keeping his eye steadily fixed
on tue compass, until he knew if the vessel |
remained in the position she was in ct sun
set, that he must be very 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 Aash
OF lightning has showed him the vessel at a
short distance from him.
Steady, my men, steady" he whis.
pered, when the thunder ceased, IT shall
pull directly under her stern"
At this instant, another fash Of lightning
illuminated the sky and water, and then, as
he glanced up where the flag had been hoist
ed during the day, he saw that it was no
longer there. it had been removed. de
paused for moment to think what was to
be done and then formed his resolution.
II shall go on board alone, men," said
he. Keep the boat where she is, exactly.
Z the flag is where think it is, in the cap !