Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-05-10

ing up and down, looking to me like
thing of life. | swan to it and kept
close by. 1t was like friend in all
this desolation of heaving seas. But
now came the worst 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. had walked
many miles. Swimming is an exacting
exerting exercise, and / had still to
exert myself resolutely, with the tide
running fast, TO maintain my present
position. My limbs moved mechani-
cally, my head was dull and heavy, and
there was sort of tingling in my ears.
/ knew | was going fast.
A little CLEAN of parting waters, a
black mass looming blacker than the
darkness, and summoned all my ener-
gies for a shout. Little Lady. ahoy?'
A voice came from the darkness:
Little Lady it is. Who are you?'
LAY 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 l had just time to
give my warning before fell fainting
on the deck.
When | came to, the last key 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 cautious
ly up the channel, and cast anchor OPP
posite the mouth of the gully, We
pulled ashore in our boat. As she
grounded andwe leaped out dark figures
started up around, lights flashed upon
us. and we were surrounded by sol
diers.
..In the kings name," said the
young officer, advancing with his sword
drawn and his cloak thrown back to
show his scarlet uniform.
1t was picturesque group, illumin-
ated by the flickering light of the sol
diers' torches. My tall old grapdsire
with his weather. beaten face and gray
hair; the boyish, handsome officer,
bright with scarlet and steel; the stolid
seamen in their jerseys and sou'west-
ers; the soldiers, with their bronzed
faces and glittering accoutrements,
and, L suppose, myself, keeping under
shelter of my stalwart grandsire, dis
guised as | was, in a suit of oilskins
and big SOU wester that almost covered
my rebellious hair.
My grandfather said nothing when
the 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
enough they did it. provoking one of the
seaman to a loud guffaw, which was in
stantly suppressed.
The sergeant was back again pretty
soon; his red face was purple with
wrath. "We've been made fools of,
sir,n he exclaimed, saluting the lieuten-
ant. Nothing on board except some
meats
The lieutenant's face fell for an in |
slant, then he looked at the sergeant's |
countenance, and bit his lip |
TO keep from smiling.
The sergeant was at white heat. |
''With your permission, sir, I'll search |
these fellows" said he.
eff you like" answered the lieuten-
ant carelessly.
The search was soon accomplished, |
and they found nothing that they want
ed. / kept behind my grandfather's
back, hoping to escape observation.
But the sergeant caught me by the |
wrist. My grandfather interposed.
There is nothing contraband on that
boy" said he peremptorily.
"We'll soon see that" answered the
soldier, grasping my wrist until could
have screamed with pain.
My grandfather did not strike him,
but administered kind of push with
his heavy shoulder that sent the SER
geant, big has he was, staggering a
yard or two. With the loosing of his
hold / slipped and almost fell; off went
my SOU wester, and down, alas!
'treamed my long brown hair all over
ne. The young officer stepped be-
tween the sergeant and me.
Il don't think we need search this
he said, in tone of quiet
''He is not likely to have
contraband about him. Where
have you been tonight" he added,
turning to my grandfather, while / got
into the back ground, conscious that
the young gentleman's eyes had found
me out.
Lobster fishing" answered my
grandfather, unblushingly.
ssNot much sport, I'm afraid said
the lieutenant, looking abstractedly
over my grandfather shoulder.
mot great DEAL" answered my
But we've taken as
much as you, sir. Perhaps you would
like to come with us some time and we
might do BETTER
Perhaps will,' answered the Off
Ger, still glancing over the others shoul--
der. Meanwhile, | am sorry to have
caused you or yours any annoyance.
Good night to you. Fall in. men,"
And away they went. But my grand
father gave up the trade soon after that
and sold the lugger.
Grandmamma paused and looked at
with smile.
"And did you never see the lieutenant
again after that?'' inquired bright
Girl of fourteen, with long, brown hair,
probably like what grandmamma's
once was.
''My dear" said grandpapa, Il was
the lieutenant"