Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-03-04

4 AbANa " +NhN Z 49, 49, 49, 49,
dug-out was round, and the ability of the
negro rs a man cf all work was proven hg
his putting the rickety craft in the short
sulce of one hour in 4 condition tit to sup
port the weight of the travellers. Keeping
in shore AM vigorously using the paddle
led the fugjtiyes to suppose that on the
evening of the first day they were beyond
the possibility of capture by the comrades
left behind.
They were then O%ccupylDga resting place
on the edge ota large bayou about 800
wards from the North EiistO river. The
rsinstorm prevented building a fire even if
the danger connected with that action
might have been braved. About midnight
the foreigner was shaken out Of his slum-
bers by his man Friday, the negro, who re-
ported that he heard the peculiar bayiDg
of a bloodhound aud, frightened nearly to
death, begged that q move towards other
quarters be made at once. While discus
sing the situation the terrible howl of the
pursuing animal was distinctly heard and
in a second of time the frail canoe was
launched again upon the waters, and soon
OCcuplei a position to the centre of the lit
tie inlet, which was about 200 yards wide.
In 3 little while, the baying came closer
and lights were observable once and again
in the darkness Overmantliog the shore.
All at once torch appeared in plain view
on the left shore, about 500 yards below
where the shaky lilrbOat OF the fugitiyes
was stationed. 1t was waved up and down
so as to throw its illuminating power across
the waters, ard was speedily answered by
the Appearance ola companion torch, this
time on the right shore and somewhat bt-
low the fest visitor. No doubt the man
hunters, led by the never-iailing instinct
of the bloodhound, had struck the trail,
and departure from that vicinity became
imperative. The bow of the skin was
pointed towards the mouth OF the bayou,
the escaping soldier laid himself down III
the craft, and the paddle, slowly and care.
fully used by the strong arm of the mus
cular cook, propelled tEo vessel towards
it's goal-the river. 4 few strokes had
been made when a shout from the lett
shorc, followed by the whistling ola bullet.
dedicated that the tugitives were seen, aud
the reclining occupant added his paddle to
the motive power, telling his companion,
this time in pretty good English, to keep
cool and paddle for all he was worth, as
be had discovered that both shores of the
BAYOU were infested with firing ncighbOrs.
70 reach the river was the only way to Ct
cape certain capture, and capture meant
death By the halter, while escape would
lie and possibly promotion to one
and freedom to the other; 50 both foreigner
and slave hOwing their heads to rain and
bullets, worked like heroes in the strife
to prevent an interview with the blood.
hounds and their masters.
The fuSilade was vigorously kept up
hat the darkness surrounding the rapidly
moving skin made the aim of thepursuing
party uncertain and irregular. Several
shots struck the skin, but luckily above
the water line, and did no harm. One
lsadeu messenger Just banked the right
hand of the foreign passenger, and another
]ploughed through the tleshy part Of his
lett leg, which served to accelerate his
paddle movements. Without further
damage the river was reached, and when
the bow of the boat met the running tide
the lriil craft somewhat changed its course
passing the ]prot:udinG point on the right
shore within about 80 feet. When in this
close proximity a rifle bullet fired from
that point penetrated the right leg OF the
negro above the knee. He never stopped
his work, hut the flash Of the discharge
showing tie position Of the gunner, carried
to tha Confederate colder q present in the
share of q revolver bullet sent by the
practicpd hand Of the slaves companion
Bat q lew minutes later and skiff and
passengers were beyond the reach of the
leaden visitors, aud it was found that q
tournequet made OF q handkerchief and a
stick would stop the bleeding in tho negro's
leg tor the tim,, but that if the poor fell
low, if even reaching The Eanks, could
never be a wholee free negro as his leg
would likely have to he amputated. The
following day was spent in the bushes on
the west side of q little island formed by
the mouth cfthe river; the sEitf WAS drawn
ashore and concealed in the brush, after
which il required all the elCqUerCe the
torc'gue. was master Of u convince the
negro that death did not always follow a
bullet wound. At night the skiti and its
pOssessOIs slowly, very slowly crossed the
island ;Owd;l5 the sea, the men partly
tsal DatlN Cdlll luE lHc BALL.
and on the following day the rays of the
ri iugs disclosed 20 their view the spars
of Unjon blockalcr, which gave to the
slave the feeling rs If heaven was close At
hand. The skilf was launched uDon the
brotd Atlantic, aud in an hour the two
str!ugcly-met companions were welcomed
by the Checsful Where do you fellows
cone from of the United States steamers
commander. Explanation wassOon made,
the ve5sc. hove her anchor. and s;caming
north. discernrd at evenings twilight the
signal lights Of the United States frigate
Wabash, Captain 5. F.. Dupont command
ing, who, upon receiving the papers from
the secret service officers, was pleased to
report to the Uuitcd States Navy Depart
meut that ,hr service rendered to the
Union force; BIZ that officer previous to the
on Hilton Head were of i~n,alCulahle
yl'ue, ard certainly s3ved many hundreds
of sailor-' lives. The negro cook lost his
leg but gained freedom aud a lite position
Mt the naval hOapitl Mt Norfolk.
ALBERT De LEUR.
Consumption Cured.