Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1885-01-30

quently 10 purchase, by barter or
otherwise, the salt that was surrepti-
tiously manufactured on the shore.
The business of manufacture directly
upon the coast, however out of the
way place might be found, involved
SO much risk from discovery by the
watchful fleet that those engaged in it
finally gave it up where they had con-
stant access to salt water and re-es-
tabllshed their works on the rivers and
estuaries near the head of the tide
water. Although water for evapora-
tion could be collected at such points
but twice in twenty-four hours, and
weak-salineously speaking-water at
that, it was considered to be moro
profitable to work at this disadvan-
tage, for discovery where strong water
could be obtained, which was almost
inevitable, meant not only the break
ing up of business, but the loss of
everything in the way of plant, be-
sides personal liberty if cut off from
escape, which was more than proba-
bic. The "contrabands" reported TO
the fleet that there were quite extern
sive salt-works near the head of tide
water on the Nansemond. Before fit
ting out an expedition to raid and
break up such an establishment it was
necessary to ascertain if such one
really existed, to avoid the sending of
men out on q FOOLS errand, which
would prove subversive to discip-
line. inasmuch as wild-goose chase
would have a tendency to weaken
the confidence of the rank and file in
their officers; besides, it would be very
mortifying personally to the officer di
recting the movement. Presumably
such an establishment as was reported
to be in operation would be guarded,
for the product would be of sufficient
Importance to warrant government
protection, such as it was. A recon-
noissance in force would not do, for
that would result in a skirmish, dur
ing which the whole paraphernalio of
the establishment would be carted
away. The only course to pursue un-
der such circumstances evidently
would be to send one or two meu to look
the ground over, to examine the situa-
ton, and act upon the report thus Sc
cured This is just what was done.
Such service is extremely hazardous,
for, il the enemy takes n notion to do
so, he can classify it as that of n spy,
punishable with a hemp jig if cap
tured; therefore, for its proper execu-
ton, men of peculiar temperament
must be selected. Courage, united
with discretion, must be an indispen-
sable attribute, together with that
quality of mind that preserves perfect
GOODNESS, whatever conditions of ex-
citement may arise. Frank b. Butts,
CT this city, and sailor by the name
of Donrclly were selected on this oc-
casion. and ordered to secure the in
formation desired. They entered up
on their duty with alacrity, and
engaged in it with spirit OF enthusi-
asm. 1t was break in the monotony
of shipboard life. 1t was freedom
from restraint in one sense; it was
an opportunity to act upon personal
responsibility rather than at the die
tum of superior officer under his very
eve. The two were set ashore in a
small boat, and left to carry out the
execution of their orders according to
their own Judgment. The sense of
freedom, the responsibility upon them,
their enthusiasm, Outweighed every
sense of danger, and they did not stop
to discuss, even mentally, the risk they
were running They turned their
faces in-shoreward, and started for the
interior, carefully picking their way
through sheltered fields, through
brush and woods. They approached
sufficiently near the salt-wor&s with
out discovery to estimate their capac-
ity and the probable force guarding
them, and to determine in their own
minds upon proper plan to effect
their capture and the force necessary
for a SupppSSful raid. While rpturni i'm q