The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-02-23

land. And who knew, in the chances of
the coming war, whether their eyes should
ever behold Old England shores. As the
Panther neared St. Georges Harbor under
the careful guidance of black pilot, all
hands crowded on deck. A little apart
from the rest stood Eveson, his eyes bent
on the coast with keener interest than
any knew. To him, Bermuda was land
of hope, country where he might regain
liberty. Looking with purpose, his eye
found what it sought. He knew that the
islands were of coral formation, the lime
stone rock, therefore, to be probably fria-
BILE by tides and waves. With this know
ledge, he looked for what no one else no
ticed-eaves in the sea-wall, Seeing the
means of escape, his heart was like fur
mace. But when the captain approached,
tapping him on the shoulder, his face was
like stone, giving no sign of the feelings
that burned within. .-.........
"Well, Eveson,' said hecaptain, cheer
lily, ''glad to see land again r.
at is not my land, sir, replied Eveson.
ssYou will not care to desert just here.
then" said the captain, referring to the
resolve Eveson had expressed on the day of
his impressment.
To this the lad made no reply.
''Sulky still, eh 2" laughed the captain
as he walked away "Have care, lad ;
the harbor is full of sharks
"Sulky p muttered Eveson to himself.
ayes, old boy; sulky if you like. And
something more-determined +
For day or two after their arrival, no
opportunity of escaped offered. Strict
watch kept by men on the ship and by
sharks in the water prevented even an at
tempt. Eveson resolved to wait, if neces-
sary, until the last night of their stay, and
then, if nothing better offered, to risk the
sharks, and try to swim ashore. But on
the third day, the Governor of Bermuda,
George James Bruere, came aboard to dine
with the captain of the Panther. In the
hustle and excitement of the OCCASION
Eveson found his opportunity. Late in
the evening when the short twilight of
latitude thirty-two degrees was quickly fad
ing, negro came aboard with fresh fruit,
grapes, peaches, pomegranates, bananas,
oranges, etc, gathered specially for the feast.
Sambo took his baskets to the steward S
room, and being of an inquiring turn of
mind, and desirous of tasting the good
things he knew to be in course of prepara-
tion, he delayed his departure Amused
by his unfamiliar blackness and by his ne
gro comicality Of speech, the steward allow
ed Sambo to remain and assist him in his
trying duties. Meanwhile, twilight deep
ened, swift darkness descended and on the
waves beside the great ship the black man S
little cedar boat bobbed pleasantly.
Now two figures crept stealthily along
the bulwarks, dodging and STOPPING when
ever the watch turned their way. Quietly
the two figures slipped over the ship side,
softly they dropped into the little boat bob
bing about there so pleasantly, noislessly
they united the painter, and psuhing off
let the sea bear them where it would until
they were little distance from the ship
Then, muffiing the oars with handkerchiefs,
they pulled steadily away, between st
David's and Songbird islands, through
Castle Harbor, and then far along the
south shore of Main Island
Aboard the Panther, the black man
still delayed his departure, and merriment
still went on. When, at last, Sambo sought
his boat and found it not, the desertion
was discovered. 1t was then too dark and
too late to go in search; but the captain
vowed that in the morning the deserters
should swing from the yardarm, and after
wards be thrown to the sharks. The gov
ernor on his return to his house gave orders
for the military to go in search of the
truants at daybreak.
The two young men pulled along shore
until their strength gave out; they then
landed, almost at hazard, for in the dark
ness there could be little choice Setting
their little boat adrift, lest it might betray
them, they sat down on the beach, wishing
earnestly for the day. When morning
dawned, they anxiously used the first gray
light to seek hiding place, knowing well
that if not quickly concealed, a few short
hours might suddenly and cruelty end life
for them Cedar-woods there were in
plenty; but the friends dared not trust to
concealment among their sparse foliage and
seanty uaderbrush, White houses cleaned
through the trees, but they might be the
residences of military officers. These
would not do The caves must be their
refuge, if cave could be found,
Looking around, they saw that they
were in a little cove, from which the shore
stretched away on each hand irregular and
broken. This broken coast was what Eve
son desired; it promised refuge. They
left the cove, crawling low among the rocks,
and within twenty yards found the object
of their seaFch=--a cave in the sea-wall. AT
low tide, Its entrance was not more than
four feet high; at full tide, it would be un-
noticeable. 1t was, moreover, concealed
from the cove by jutting rock. Inside
they found it, if not comfortable, still to
be preferred for a time to either the deck
or the yardarm of the Panther.
The beauty of the cave was such as al.
most to engross the attention even in that
anxious hour. Stalactites hung pendent
from the roof; stalagmites of curious shapes
were grouped about the floor and leaned
Hke HuIndi uSuIco dSdiiob tilc Wills. w iOn
the first ray of sunlight, crystals flashed
with innumerable sparkles on all sides. In
pools at their feet, many-colored seaweeds
cleaned in the perfectly translucent water
and curious-iooking fishes moved lazily
about. Ferns wreathed the mouth of their
cave, and framed for their delight bit of
the brilliant blue sea. Altogether, the fu-
gitives were well satisfied with their retreat
They had wisely slowed away little ''hard
tack" in their pockets, and never did they
breakfast with heartier appetites than on
this morning. Then they lay down on
shelves of rock near the mouth of the cave
watched the blue waves for while, and
soon fell fast asleep.
Late in the day they slept, until swaken-
ed by sound that stilled the beating Of
their hearts, and brought mortal paleness
to their cheeks. Overhead, they heard the
/ n mi