The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-01-02
THE SMUGGLER.

THE SMUGGLEl}.
z In the year 177s, previous to the an
neSation Of the Isle Of Man to the Eng
lish crown, the inducements for smug-
Cling from that we'll known spot were of
the most seductive character, giving en1-
ployment to few hardy and daring
spirits, whose large profits in their. peril
Gus trade more than compensated them
for the continual risk they encountered
in their nightly voyages from the island
to the shores Of the Solway. This island
Of the Irish sea, once a rendezvous for
numerous freebooters and smugglers, is
now rendered a place of no small com
mercial importance, as well as forming
a military and naval depot for the
crowded ranks and numerous fleets Of
the British army and navy. It's pro
iuctive soil and highly cultivated lands,
It's neat cottages and admirable roads are
q picture Of modern improvements, while
at all times it wears q lively and busy
appearance. From the highest point Of
the island, in clear weather, the visitor
has view Of the three united king
dons. .ssi.-s.= ,5#,.
~ It was at the close5of a5fne day in the
latter part Of August, 1772, that Q two
masted lugger was seen riding at q single
anchor in quiet cove on the west side
of the island. The craft might have been
Of about 100 tons burden, though her dark,
low. hull gave her the appearance of being
much smaller, while the symmetry of
her spars and rigging, tapering beauti-
fully at their variots points as seen
against the sky, showed her to be craft
upon whose rig time and care had been
expended. Around her hull extended a
line of red, broken at two points on each
side by an open port, while the height Of
the waist showed that it was intended to
serve as breastwork to chose who naVi-
gated the vessel in times Of danger. Al
together, you would have pronounced
the lugger at first sight o suspicious
craft, and, unless she carried the kings
commission, one most likely bent upon
mischief. At the hour Of which write
an individual rather below the usual
height, yet commanding in appearance,
in seaman's garb, with q broad belt about
his waist, into which was thrust couple
Of boarding pistols, was pacing the quar-
ter:deck; in his hand he held speaking
trumpet, which at this moment he raised
to hislips and issued the necessary orders
for getting under weigh.
Fifty as fine fellows as ever handled q
marlinspike sprang cheerfully to execute
his orders, enlivened by the shrill tones
Of the: boatswain's whistle. While all
was hustle and activity about him, the
captain slowly promenaded the quarter
deck, presenting the picture of a young
hero; Blended in his open countenance
was the spirit Of daring, but yet Of noble
purpose, bis mild, Thoughtful eye belied
his otherwise spirited appearance. His
form, as we have said, was rather below
the ordinary height, yet he was hand
some in figure, his person evincing great
power Of endurance, with strength and
agility; he might have been in age about
20 years.
.sWe are brought to, sir" said the first
lieutenant Of the lugger to his captain.
..Heave round, sir" was the prompt
nautical reply. "Heave and pail.
The anchor being raised and slowed,
the wide breadth Of canvas peculiar to
the lugger rig, formerly SO well known
in the Bay OF. Biscay and the British
channel, was spread upon the life Like
vessel, and bending gracefully under the
influence Of the gentle west wind, she
took her course under cloud Of canvas
for the shores Of the Solway.
.sMr. Merrick," ",said the captain to his
first officer, "I think we are likely to
have trouble on this nights trip. I learn
from trusty agents that intelligence has
been lodged relative to the character of
our swift footed craft, and fear there
has been treachery aboard the Dolphin. "
So was the lugger named.
''I hardly think that, captain" he re-
piled, s.though the crew have had full
freedom on shore and have lately visited
Carlisle and Keswick.
"They know the rules Of the ship, Mr..
Merrick," said the commander starnly,
sand how treachery viii be rewarded.
Let the crew sleep with one eye open;
we may have work for them"
The watch was set, while the remain
der of the crew "turned in all standing"
which signifies in sea parlance with their
clothes on, ready for prompt and imme-
date service. The cargo On board the
craft that now rounded the mouth of the
sheltering cove was contraband and yalu-
able, and IT, object Of the commander
was to land it safely and return from the
main land to the island before morning.
The lugger held on her course till
rounding the northern point of the island,
when the captain, who had not left the
deck, discovered off bis starboard bow o
vessel, whose indistinct outlines alone
discernible In the darkness Of the night,
appeared to be those Of q large craft; at
The same moment the lookout forward
diacoYered and announced the stranger
as q sloop Of war under easy sail.
TBS course Of the Dolphin was changed
two or three points 81 more ID n6rtberly, in
the hope of passing the strange sail at
such a distance as not to be noticed
by her crew; the. effort was success.
full; the commander Of the sloop, not
expecting his prey at this hour, was
not on the lookout for the smuggler.
On board the well regulated lugger all
was silent as the night itself, while every
sail expanded with the freshening breeze.
"Mr. Merrick," said the captain, when
silence was no longer necessary, ''pipe the
crew to quarters, sir; I have few words
to say to them that may serve as rough
night cap for even these sea dogs"
The wakeful crew, most Of whom were
already on deck, having heard Of the
proximity Of the stranger, gathered quiet
~ aft near the sacred precincts Of the
quarter deck, where they stood with
their hats of and their hair waving wildly
In the nightair. A well disciplined ships
crew look upon their captain with much
tho same respect as doe courtier upon
his king, save that if possible the former
is more profound, as is the authority of
his superior more absolute.
.'My lads" said the young commander,
addressing his attentive crew, 'most Of
you saw that strange sail we passed with
4 II. J. {Ix{1