The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
TIE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
N, Exciting Story of the War
nf 1910
HY JOHN B. Mus1cE.
Soo0S90
CHAPTER Xx0II.

CHAPTER XVII.
THE CAPTURE OF THE xENoPHoN.
With mufled oars and bated breath, the
boarding party glided out OF the harbor
into fog and darkness.
The boats went out in single file. In
the front boat sat the deserter of the
Xenophon and Griffith, while in the rear
boat was his shipmate, Henry Dawes.
with Jack Hatchet. The boats were all
attached to each other by lines, SO they
could not be separated or lost, for IN the
darkness and fog it was almost impossi-
BILE to see an oars length.
The sea was very calm, and the dash
ING of the waves against the point Of
rocks served as guide for the Ameri-
cans.
DO you think We can find the man-of-
war in this darkness?" asked Captain AL
ton, anxiously.
"Oh, YES; when we get off that point
where you hear the breakers roar, we will
bring the fleet into line, and all 60
abreast forward, and shall be sure to
take it in.
They had adopted q set of signals, so
one boat could communicate to the other
by Jerking cord, and thus guide them
all in one direction.
They were soon out a sufficient way to
feel the swells of the ocean. The boats
rose and fell on the top of the heaving
of the bosom of the great deep, and some
of the Americans who were not accus-
toned to the waves clung nervously to
the gunwales.
Experienced fishermen handled the
oars, and We doubt if regular sailors
could have done better.
The feet wheeled about and advanced
slowly and carefully over the bounding
waves. In the bow Of each boat was
lookout stationed to give the alarm the
moment the ship of war was discovered.
The boats glided noiselessly forward.
Not sound seemed to escape the fleet.
The line was preserved, and in the bow
of each stood lookout peering forward
into the darkness.
Some Of the youngest and more mex
perienced men evinced no little nervous
anxiety. Some crouched low into the
boat and shivered as if they expected at
each moment masked battery to open
upon them. That awful blackness was
appalling. They could not realize that
the same darkness which hid the enemy
also concealed them. They seemed to
believe that the enemy could witness
every movement they made, while they
were unable to see anything which the
sRpY would do.
here were enough bold, determined
spiriS hong them to inspire the others.
These without fear sat erect, anxiously
awaiting the moment when the engage
ment should come. The sturdy fishermen
bent TO their oars and pulled steadily out
from the shore in the direction, as near as
of ho shin Of tho
Xenophon.
Capt. Alton, whom nervous anxiety had
almost prostrated, waited at the bow of
his boat, and gazed steadily forward into
the darkness, hoping against hope that
they would come in sight of the man Of
war.
Suddenly there came signal. It wns
from The center boat, and called upon all
the boats to collect there Immediately.
They rounded in, and in q few mo.
ments great black object rose before
them. 1t was the hulk of vessel-the
Xenophon.
The middle boat had come almost un-
der it before the vessel was discovert'.
Now was o moment of supreme excite
ment. The Americans were right Under
those greet frowning guns, and ipuld
Ancn hear the tread of sentries aboTH, For
moment only did the boarding. I arty
remain there gazing up at the greD ves-
sci, and then, as had been previously ar
ranged, the feet divided. The boats with
the deserter and Captain Alton glided to
the bow chains, and those other boats
headed by Henry Dawes and Jack Hatchei
came up under the larboard mizzen chains.
It was arranged for the most active, de-
fermined men to take the lead.
They reached their places, and in
moment every chain rope and other appli-
ance was used. Ropes with boat-hooks
were thrown over the gunwales, and the
men began climbing as rapidly as they
could. Soon score or more struck the
deck at once, and shout went up from
the sentries.
-Boarders, ahoy, to arms! Repel board.
ers.
The CIV was answered by ringing vol.
lev of pistol shots and shout from ths
larboard gunwale, where Henry Dawes
and fifty men had succeeded in reaching
the deck. 1t was now o fight for life. The
guard were either shot down or driven
below, where their companions were tum-
bling up, seizing their cutlasses, and hur-
rying on deck.
The Americans were pouring on deck
every second by scores and tifties. Those
who had trembled and hesitated but
moment before, at the first ring of death
shots and clash of steel, became cool as
veterans aad eager for the fray.
They fastened, climbed, scrambled, and
tumbled over the gunwales to the decks,
and the shouts constantly increased. Some
one lighted the battle lanterns, showinga
wild, fierce enemy already in possession
of the deck, and still pouring over the
.eupwales.
rifith Atoms military ability never
cared to better advantage tn IN on
present occasion. In voice calm as
was only on dress parade, he issued
commands.
was new and strange mode OF war
to him. but he was master of the ST.
on. He placed fifty men under the
gter Of the Xenophon OF the main
way, to cut down the men as fast as
appeared. Their ringing blows fell
the heads of the British sailors,
Don the gangway was blocked with
lien.
bry other point from which the
y would be likely to emerge was
goafded. The fight still went on. Those
below made desperate efforts to get above.
They emptied volley after volley of
a brave fellow fell upon that deck never
10 rise again.
Suddenly from tha cabin there rosa
shouts high above the din or DaltIe, ana
q dozen British officers and sailors burst
through the band of flashing steel and
reached the deck.
4 ~