Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-30
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE BoArswArss STORY.

| CHAPTER XVIII
THE BoATswArs's STORY.
~The Hero was on the home station in
August. continued Absalom Bright, ito
reft and fill out her complement Of men.
which had suffered by the actions We had
been in the last year. Wehad been at the
Downs anchorage, where We got q few
men; and then We came upon the Essex
coast for the same purpose. We dropped
anchor we'll out in the bay on which the
Red Lion inn stands on the afternoon of
September third, and toward night came
ashore with o good boats crew, we'll
armed. / expected to press good dozen
men,
Il had never been ashore here, but one
of our officers was we'll acquainted with
the Red Lion and the people that came
there, and he said that might make q
good haul there.
I'VE came in at dusk. I left the boat
around the high point, telling the crew
to stay by, look sharp, and all but the
oarsmen rush for the inn when they heard
my whistle. Then went to the tavern,
and began to look over the ground.
Il had dressed myself as a common
sailor, and told story about getting
an hours leave from the captains boat
that satisfied everybody. There were
four stout farmers lads in the tap-room
when came in, and marked them all
for my prey, Soon Robert Barnwell
came, and resolved to have him, too.
Your arrival, Captain Courtenay, rather
upset my plans.
at don't do to be too bold about inn
pressing men. You may take them from
an inn, or from the street, or even from o
house; but when a military officer is by,
who might watch you and report the af-
fair, it is we'll to be cautious. Nothing
might come of it, but we don't like to
have the soldiers around looking on when
we are at this kind of work.
Il heard the landlords story about you,
Captain, and Barnwell. When you ar
rived, and all hands went out to the sta
bles to look at your horse, hoped you
would be able to go on at once, and not
stay there to be in the way of my opera
tions. So, while was alone, went and
checked up the windows, so they could
not be opened, and locked the door into
: the dining room.
Presently all came back, and you, Cap
tain, went into the parlor.
, "The landlord was in fdget, fearing
fight between you and Barnwell, and
did his best to get me to stay and prevent
it. I laughed at him and went away. If
there was to be fight, SO much the bet
ter for the gang; they could mix in
and take their men. / went out, softly
locking the door, having taken the key
when nobody saw me. My mistake w as
that left the key in the lock. If had
taken it with me, I should have found
the countryman safely shut up when I
D came back.
. Il fastened the blinds with braces that
9 had brought and hid. Then I hurried
back to my boat.
"The men had pulled out from shore.
Q They had heard loud talking up the
beach, and thought that the coast guard
was watching them.
ct took them some time to recognize
;. my whistle, and come in. berated
Q them soundly for disobeying my orders,
{ got into the boat, and ordered them to
pull softly round the headland, and beach
g the boat in rear of the inn.
g 1T took some minutes to do this. When
It it was done, and we were lying quiet @
moment, listening to hear what might be
d going on, saw man run out of the door
of the inn parlor. 1t was hazy; but
n could see his figure as he started.
HE came down on the beach. He did
!, not see the boat at first He looked wild
and troubled. It was Robert Barnwell.
at didn't mean to kill him, he said to
/; himself. i struck him hard, but didn't
q want to kill him. Is he dead, wonderp
|. Cautiously stole UP from the boat
: and seized him. took him by the arm
% and put hand over his mouth. In the
Kings namel said Make no noise;
9 take you for the Kings seaman.
He fought hard, and would have
It shouted for help if had not muffied his
mouth. Three of the men came to aid
:. me, and we dragged him into the boat
bound and gagged him.
q Next heard noise from tho inn
/. shouting and yelling. was on the poin
e of going up with my party and making
Ii more captures, when / saw the Lantern
some men with it.
t. II had to guess what it all meant, ant
}. I guessed wrong. The words of Barnwel
d ought to have made me understand tina
', he and Captain Courtenay had had a tus
e sle, and that he was afraid that he hat
s killed the Captain. In the excitement O
e the moment forgot this, and took up witt
: the notion that you, Captain, had dis
IT covered what | was about, and were com
ing with the landlord, the hostler, ant
le the countrymen at your back, armed witt
whatever could be picked up, to releas
/. Barnwell.
1T seems ridiculous, now that I lool
d back on it; but the idea was very stronI
g in my mind then. My party was stronI
1t enough, but fight with crowd of rus
8, tics, armed with iron pokers aud pitch
.. forks, and led by a Captain in the mill
le tary service, was the last thing wanted
II ordered the rowers to pull out softly
70 We took Barnwell with us; he served hi
9: King most unwillipgly, and died as hav
of told you. We rowed out SO silently, an,
rs the Hero took up anchor SO quietly, an
9. sailed out Of the bay, that my presenc
Is ashore, as it seems, was never taken int
D account in the inquiry after the fate o
Robert Barnwell."
A. CHAPTER XIX.
HOW IT ENDED.
It The experience Of Ralph Courtena
ID and his wife after the pardon was but
3 repetition of that which has occurre
! 1u - &;,,,ao Abn xworl1 nxyox