The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-01-02
the deep cultural voices Of the crew, who
shrl1nk beneath the piercing eye Of their

the deep cultural voices Of The crew, who
shr,1nk beneath the piercing eye Of their
captain.
s'It is my duty" said he, "to watch
over your interests and my own with
Jealous eye. / never deceive you, my
men, the traitor shall receive his punish
ment, thought pursue him to the foot of
the throne Enough; to your duty"
The hours passed on-the busy crew
had landed the cargo, and in the hands
of confidential agents it was soon hidden
from the most careful search Of the rev.
enue officers.
The greatest danger was yet to be en-
countered. The cargo landed, the lugger
must again sail for the sheltering proteo-
ton Of the island, but the rising moon
now threw its mellow and unwelcome
Hght-unwelcome at least to those On
board the Dolphin-across the heaving
swells Of the Irish seq.
Hardly had the lugger got under
weigh before the cruiser was again dis
covered lying midway between the En-
glish coast and the island; the course the
Dolphin steered, and in fact the only
route she could take, would bring her
In full view Of the cruiser and within
range Of her guns. The captain of the
lugger viewed the dilemma with calm
and quiet countenance, giving his orders
in tone that inspired those about him
with fresh courage. The two vessels
were now fast approaching each other,
when coarse hail came down across
the water from the sloop, "What vessel
is that?'
The captain of the lugger, knowing
that every moment he could gain in de-
lay was of the utmost importance in the
furtherance Of his purpose to run the
gauntlet Of the cruisers broadside, made
mumbling and inaudible reply through
his trumpet, 80 that the query from the
sloop was put, "What answer do you
maker
The breeze still freshening drove the
lugger, with her wide spread canvas,
swiftly through the water. She was al
ready nearly abreast of the cruiser,
which, having tackled, now stood on the
same course as her adversary.
"What vessel Is that?" was the ques-
ton again put from the commander Of
the sloop, to which he added, "Answer,
or shall fire into you"
No oreply being made to this hail, the
captain Of the York, for so the cruiser
was called, ordered shot fred into the
lugger, "to wake herup," es he observed;
the bali, passing through the white field
Of the mainsail, struck the water far to
windward. The compliment was immo-
diately returned from heavy gun amid
ships of the lugger, the ball Of which,
aimed by the hands Of the captain him
self, shot away the foretopmast of the
York, which fell with all its hamper to
the deck. a fierce broadside from the
cruiser followed this discharge, making
sad havoc among the symmetrical rig of
the Dolphin.
The armament Of the lugger consisted
of four small pieces Of ordnance and one
gun amidships, revolving upon a pivot,
which was Of superior metal to that of
any gun on board the York. From this
instrument Of death the missiles of de-
struction were so faithfully aimed that
already had the foremast of the cruiser
come numbering upon the deck, con-
founding tae crew and greatly retarding
the means Of defense. The York carried
sixteen guns with a complement of about
15O men. She was now unable for several
moments to return the constant and de-
structive fire of the lugger, the wreck Of
the foremost having fallen along the
| larboard battery, being the side nearest
the Dolphin. Both vessels were 30 cut
up in their rigging as to make but little
headway, and were now rising and fall
ing on swells Of the sea within q few
yards of each other.
Several of the heavy shots from the
lugger had penetrated the Yorks side at
the water line, and large number Of the
crew Of the latter vessel were piped to
the pumps, as the craft was fast making
large quantities Of water. At this mo-
ment the eye Of the smuggler captain
rested upon the person of one of his own
| foremast men on board the enemy-the
truth flashed in q moment across his
mind, the treachery was accounted for,
and there stood the traitor. In an instant
the grapnel irons were ordered to be
thrown and the boarders piped to duty,
a few hasty words from the commander
of the Dolphin sufficed to inform his
followers that the traitor Of the crew Was
on board the York, and, headed by their
brave and daring captain, the lugger's
men leapea on the cruisers deck.
"secure Ehe traitor and back with
you ALL" cried tho captain, pointing
with one hand to the Trembling villain
who had betrayed them, while win bis
other he kept a score Of them at bay
with bis flashing sword.
After securing their treacherous CON-
7ade the Dolphin's crew retreated swiftly
to their own vessel, amid the astonish-
ment Of the crew Of the York, who had
been taken completely by surprise, the
deed being accomplished in far less time
than Is required to relate the particulars.
Regainiag his own deck the captain Of
the lugger now backed his topsails, while
those that remained to the York con-
tinued full; thus the two vessels parted.
The Dolphin, as she fell astern Of her
antagonist, gave her one raking shot,
which did fearful havoc upon her deck.
The captain Of the cruiser was forced to
make all speed for tho shore, when the
York was run aground in sinking con-
dition. Thus ended the fight between
the lugger and tho man-of-war, showing
what cool courage and skill can accom-
plish against superior force.
The Dolphin sailed for the cove on the
eastern side of tho island, sorely shat
tered in hull and rigging by the severe
contest with the kings cruiser.
The lugger is again anchored In the
quiet cove, and all hands are piped to
witness punishment The traitor who
had betrayed the ship had confessed bis
guilt, and the price Of his treachery was
found upon his person. The crew were
at their stations, all save six seamen
chosen by lot, who stood apart from
their companions with downcast eyes
and trembling forms, for they were the
agents through whom fellow creature
was to be launched, in cold blood, into