The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-12

any alarm, make the best Of your way to the
ship and tell the sonora and mates that I
died like man. You must be cautious.
Take in the sail, for the storm will be upon
us in few Minutes"
These hasty commands were whispe ed
to the men, who leant forward in the boat
to catch the orders they dared not disobey,
much as they wished to share their leaders
peril.
Springing lightly from the boat, the
young man caught the MEETINGS, which were
within reach, and noiselessly assembled to
the bulwarks.
He could hear the regular tramp Of the
officer on deck, who, having everything ar
ranged for the coming storm, had but little
active business to occupy him.
sss a hs aS9 aS 81 sSs
the care which was taken to prevent light
being used on the ship that might be the
means of betraying the position Of the ves-
sci to their enemies on shore.
For second he listened with throbbing
heart to the steps as they approached him.
The officer turned once more, and in that
instant the gallant young sailor was down
on the deck and at the cabin door, which
stood slightly ajar.
He peeped in through the narrow crack,
and saw red-faced old captain seated at
his round table with two of his officers by
his side, engaged over the contents of vari-
GUS bottles.
A glancs at the settee just to the left Of
this table showed the object OF the enter
prise-the ting for which he had perilled
his life lay there-where it had been care
lessly thrown over after it was hauled down.
The young officer did not pause long to
consider what to do. but quietly walked in.
to the cabin, and, taking off his cap, bowed
very politely to the officers, and as he step.
ned towards the flag. said in calm and
courteous manner to the captain:
II have come to borrow this banner, sir,
to wear tomorrow, if you have not the
slightest objection"
"Who tho deuce are you?"
aWhat does this mean?" cried the cap.
taiu; 10 anu mis- officers spraug upon
their feet, estonished at the extraordinary
proceeding.
II am an officer, sir, of the vessel which
is in yonder harbor, said the young man,
who had now seized the fig, @and mean
to carry this to my commodore"
As he said this he bounded to the cabin
door, followed closely by q bullet from the
captains pistol, and ere the alarm become
general, he stood upon the taffrail of the
vessel.
Look out for me below" no shouted,
and flung himself into the sea without a
moments hesitation.
His boats crew recognized his voice;
he was caught in moment and dragged in
to the boat, while volley of pistol balls
was sent down ct random by those who
were above. The storm had now broken
and the wind began to come in with ftful
and fierce gusts.
Up with tie sail; be in hurry, lads.
cried the young hero, as soon as he could
recover his breath after his ducking.
The crew promptly obeyed his orders.
and the next moment the little boat was
flying in towards the harbor
before the blast, like glad
bird, winging its way to its nest.
The enemy opened q harmless random
fire of grape shot in their direction, but it
only serv' d to tell the anxious watchers on
board their vessel that something had oc-
cured, and they therefore at once showed
lights and enabled the boat to be kept
straight for her.
It was about half an hour after the gun
had been fred by the ship at sea that the
boat of the young adventurer rounded to
alongside of his own craft.
"Have you captured the fag?" cried the
young sonora, as Bennett bounded over the
side.
The only answer she received was the
banner wet as it was from the water and cut
into pieces by the balls which had been
fred at its captcr.
The light Of the vessel beamed not half
so brightly as did the lady's eyes when she
caught the noble youth to her arms and
kissed him again and again.