The National tribune., 1885-04-23

puzzled how we should get by or around #, for It
was longer than it appeared to be when first seen
Presently we discovered q narrow, shallow channel
through it, and were not long in getting our
boat through. As we We're going through, Mark
gathered III q lot OF rough. muddy looking Jumps
which supposed were bouaers and soon called
for my old broken backed knife. after which saw
him open one OF the muddy chunks and eat some
thing from 1t. says L, Mark you starving 1anki
what in thunder are you at now?" Taste this"
says he, ns he opened another muddy chunk and
Tapped up from tue dirty shell the sweetest oyster
had ever tasted
We were in the midst of a great oyster-bed the
like of which had never before seen had never
in fact, seen an oyster in the shell before. Mark
gathered up as many as he could as the boat passed
along and when reached the still water
made quite little feast on them as we padded on.
think never tasted anything so delicious. We
were still very hungry, and the moist. rich. salty
flavor of the oysters seemed to suit our weak fam
ished Stomachs TO n nicely.
But our little feast soon cut short by the
tsn discovery that the dead trees were nothing
than the naasis OF vessels. We could now plainly
see the yards, cross-rees and great snaoke-sacks.
We dropped the oysters in the bottom of the boat,
and though quite exhausted, the sight of the ves-
SelS renewed our strength tha; made the little
boat scud over the still water nj lively rate Soon
We could see the long. graceful streamers waving
from the peaks OF the mass aud the outlines of the
dark, somber-looking hus of the ships.
We were now nearing the ships very fast and
were - little anxious to see their eoiors.
had become suspicious of everybody and every
thing that half feared running into the clutches
of our enemies. But We were not long in suspense,
for suddenly little breeze sprang up, and shall
glorious old Stars and Stripes they unfolded the
ocean breeze and seemed to extend their beneicent
proteeuon over US after nearly eight months OF
terrible bondage. We could see the field of blue
studded with its golden stars and the stripes of
white and redi Yes, it was flag old f. Pt,rribus
tnu'n! We threw down our paddles in the boat
and stood up and yelled and screamed and cried
like couple of foolish boys lost in the woods We
could not restrain ourselves. Mark wanted to jump
overheard and swim to the ships although we were
yet, perhaps. nearly a mile away,-at least too
far to swim in his condition. After we recovered
our senses a little, we picked up the paddles and
began rowing again, directing course towards
the largest vessel.
1t seems now like dream to me-that joyful
day,-the most joyful, was about to say of my
ilfe believe there were three vessels in sight In
steering for the largest one although il wac the
most distant we had to pass distance in front
Oh tiie DOW OF a smaller ship or boat. We were now
getting SO close that could plainly see the officers
and men on deck in their neat blue uniforms. We
could the PORTFOLIOS in the sides of the ships and
the oiack muzzies OF the cannon projecting out.
Iris gave us much assurance, and we said to our
selves, GOOd-by, rebs We are out of your clutches
at last I"
We were rowing our insignificant looking little
boat right along, Just as though we intended to
capture the biggest vessel in the feet. when gruff
voice from the ship, whose bow we were passing
commanded US to " Come to- therer" At the same
time we saw grim-looking old dog in nice uni
!orrn, leaning over the rail, motionng in with
his hand We turned the bow of our little boat to-
wards him, and, when within better
speaking distance he interrogated US in stentorian
voice, about as follows:
W no IN are you. and what are you padding
under my guns in this manner for ?"
We werc haif-terrifed by the old fellow angry
stern manner, and did not know but we had at last
fallen into the hands of rebel cruiser under false
coiors. We did not know what to say to this
expected. angry Interrogation. We padded On
very slowly, while the sailors and officers began to
gather IN little squads and look with mingled
curiosity and merrment.
Presently the officer hailed us again with abont
tne same questions. l now stood up in our boat,
and answered that we were two men trying to get
back to Gods country among friends was now
v. soft he ifuati and
kept my eyes on the officer, for perceived he was
the commander shall never forget his stern but
puzzled look as we came up under the bow of his
vessel. We had been so overjoyed and excftedth
we had forgotten to pull the old moss, which
covered our nakedness and protected us from the
sun, from our backs, and must have looked
like scare-crows orswanlp- dragons cannot speak
SO well OF my own appearance then, but can see
Mark Wood. just as he was on that joyful day and
a more comicai, fororn staryed-looking being can
not well be immagined.
In our boat were few catfish partly skinned,
some oysters in the she'll some ears of scorched
corn, lot of moss and our old boots for our feet
were yet sore, and We went bare-footed when in
the boat.
After serutinizing us In silence for some little
time as we drifted up closer and closer, he again
demanded of some account of our strange conduct
and appearance. / told him we were enlisted
Federal soldier, and belonged to the command of
Gen. D. NJ. Mitchell. in Tennessee; to which he
growled something abeut our being q long
ways from camp" then explained to him briefly
that we fugitives, and the causes that led to
it; that were nearly famished with hunger and
tilat. after SkulRlng through mountains and river
by night. we had at last sought protection under
the old flag and the guns of his ship.
L could that his manner towards us had
changed. He plainly the indications of our
distress. He said he had heard of the raidng ex-
pedition spoke OF. and commanded us to row
up to the ladder and come up the ships side. We
did so and Wood went up the steps first. The poor
fellows agitation and Joy 80 great and he was
weak that ne could scarcely raise his feet from
step to step on the ladder stairs The commander
seeing his weak. faIterng condition. leaned over
the rail-. rs ood came up, and reaching out, took
hold to assist him. and he did So the rotten bit
of old moss which covered Marks shoulders and
back, all pulled off and exposed his emacilted
bony skeleton, which, in truth, was nothing but
skin and bones. The wel-fed, sleek looking sail
seemed to look on in horror but not more so
than the generous-hearted commander who was
moved almost TO tears he reaching over to
help me as | came TO the top of the step-ladder
They stared at us in silent wonderment while the
sailors looked down into little boat with comicsl
curiosity.
We need not hnger over the royal reception
the poor fugitives met, or their joy as they
partook of the hospitality of the commander. or
even their still greater joy when they returned
to friends and comrades, who had long mourued
them as dead From the bright termination of
their suferings we must turn, with deep reluc-
tance, to the story of the unfortunate SIX still
in the power of the enemy.
(Io be continued)