The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-12-03
CUISINES FIGHT FOR LIFE.

Not the least remarkable feature Of this
expedition was the escape OF Cushing after
firing the destructive charge and finding his
boat disabled He stated that after the ex-
plosion tie enemy covered his party with
rifles at fifteen feet and twice demanded sur
render He himself refused, for il was
principle with him never to surrender, and
he had destroyed his first boat, the Ellis, in
1852, rather than surrender, when he was
hopelessly surrounded
After springing from his launch into the
'fE2ar Gushing S2a. awya> 6izv,aEsa =
was exhausvs-., ai1d At daylight crawied into
a swamp. Daylight disclosed the fact that
he was close to Confederate fort, and 50
near the principal path from the town to the
fort that he overheard two officers Of the
Albemarle who passed that way discussing
the extent Of damage done to the ram. This
was his first positive information that his
work had been successful. On exploring the
swamp be found that he could pass the time
unobserved, and finding a willing negro he
sent him into Plymouth to get further news
Of the condition Of the ram. Here, again,
the report was that the vessel was hopelessy
disabled Cushing's account, in his Century
narrative, Of his experience in the water and
the swamp is equal to anything in Defoe
He says:
Alone upon the water. directed my course
toward the town side Of the river. not making
much Roadway as my strokes were now very
feeble my clothes being soaked and heavy, and
little chop seas splashing with a choking persist
ence into my mouth every time that gaSped for
breath. Still there was a determination not to
sink a will not to give up; and kept up sort Of
mechanical motion long after my bodily force
was in fact expended. At last and not a moment
too soon, | touched the soft mud and in the ex-
element Of the first shock | half raised my body
and made one step forward, then fell and
manned half in the mud and half in the water IN
til daylight unable to crawl even on hands and
knees, nearly frozen, with brain in whirl, but
with one thing strong in me-the fixed determine
ton to escape The prospect OF drowning, star
walton, death In the swamps-au seemed lesser
evils than that of surrender
AS day dawnedl found myself In point Of
swamp that enters the suburbs Of Plymouth and
not forty rods from Of the forts The sun
came out bright and warm proving a most cheer
ing vistant and giving me back good portion OF
the strength Of which had been deprived before
Its light showed mo town swarrning with sol
dierS and sailors, who moved about excitedly as
if angry at some sudden shock 1t was a source
of satisfaction to TO know that | had pull
ed the wire that set all these figures moving
Gin q manner quite as interesting the best OF
the theatrcals), but as had no desire Of being
discovered by any of the rebs who were so plen
tful around me- did not long remain a spectator
My first object TO get into q dry fringe Of
rushes that edged the swamp; but to do this re
quired me TO pass over thirty forty feet OF
open ground. right under the eye OF the sentinel
/ who walkedthe parapet
Watching until he turned for a movement ]
made dash TO cross the space but was only hall
| way over when he turned again and forced me to
| drop down right between two paths, and almost