The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-07
CHAPTER III.

We now invite the reader to accompany
us to the deck of the British man. of-war
that for several weeks had been cruising
about the eastern coast of the United
States, driving away Yankee sloops and
bombarding small seaport towns. This
vessel had hove to near long stretch of
sandy beach, fifteen or twenty miles
above Manoa, and sent ashore several
hundred British soldiers, under Major
Bridges, who was to proceed by land to
the village, while the war vessel was to
Cooperate with the troops by sea.
The Xenophon was one Of his British
Maiesty's starc chest crafts. While. not
carving heavy guns nor as many as other
vessels, she was tough and trim from
stem to stern, and from the bottom of her
keel to the tip of her maintop mast there
was not single flaw discernible, even to
the eye of sailor.
The Xenophon was excellently manned.
Officers and crew were all trained and
experienced seamen. Captain Montieth
frequently boasted that he had not man
in his crew who was not capable of COM
manding q vessel.
Captain Montieth was man who pos
sessed that tyrannical, overbearing dis
Of the past. He seemed to hold his crew
but little above dogs. Discipline with
him had been converted into despotlsm,
and his sailors we're treated as slaves.
Disgraceful fogging scenes for even
and if a sailor attempted to desert he was
either shot or strung up to the yardarm
the moment he was caught.
a 1ofo ~, &ho
sailors, both finely formed men, past
middle age, having been relieved from
duty, were slowly walking aft. There
was quiet, sullen air about them which
becomes habitual 10 men who have long
been accustomed to strict discipline.
Neither spoke word, and from beneath
their lowering eyebrows fiery glances
were occasionally cast at Captain Mon
tietn, who stood near the mizzen deck
in all the gaudy uniform and pompous
dignity of tyrant.
The sun was descending beneath the
horizon, and the two sailors had long
been sitting on the gun carriage. Each
was lost in thought, and seemed to know
lust what the other WAS thinking about.
At last. when the sun had dipped beneath
the ocean, and the stars began to appear
in sight. the oldest and most In!e!haana
of the sailors, in voice scarce above a
whisper, said:
Dawes, know the coast we'll.
IAh!"
4Yes, and we are only few hours sail
from Manoa. We will reach the harbor
and be warping in by daylight if the wind
should be fair"
DO you suppose the soldiers We landed
will be there by that timer"
The first speaker reflected moment
and then answered: Il hadn't thought
of that, Dawes. It may be Capt. Mon
tieth will beat about day or two yet, to
give them time, but every moment We de-
lay increases our danger of escape"
He spoke in a very cautious whisper.
Dawes trembled, but was silent. There
was look Of the tirmest determination
Oh the faces of these men, and one could
have tod Mt that moment that they had
resolved on something desperate. The
sentry who was pacing this part of the
deck come so near that there was danger
of being heard, 80 they remained silent
until he wheeled and started to the other
end of his beat. Then the first speaker,
clasping his messmate's arm, said:
Dawes, will you go with met"
YES"
.We must do it tonight"
Dawes nodded.
Il will not raise my hand against my
native country" the first speaker de-
clared. The British have impressed me
and made me- their slave. For fifteen
long years have been slave, but with
heavens help I will be free man."
His voice was low and deep. but he'd he
spoken in trumpet tones of thunder it
could not have been more earnest.
Il am with ye, Burnett, his messmate
responded. Whatever port ye steer fur,
ye can count on me bein' in yer wake"
I'VE are Americans, Dawes, and tits
enough that we reef and trim the sails for
a British man-o'-war without shedding
the blood of our countrymen.
"You're right, shipmate. I've jest
sailed as long under q British flag as I
want to, md though there are ten
chances of our bein' shot to one Of our
escapin', I'll desert"
The last of the sentence was 10 very
low whisper, and both became silent, for
again the sentry was near.
When he wheeled about and returned,
Dawes grasped Burnett's arm and asked:
What time, shipmate?"
-Midnisht xsttok. was the answer.
The B6lt's ready?"
Yes"
Then they sat in the increasing dark
ness until the shr.l sound of the boat
swain's whis;ls pipod all hands below to
supper. When the sailors. Dawes apd
Burnett, met the other members of their
mess, there was nothing in their demean-
or which would betray their thoughts.
Each had contlol over his feelings and
emotions. and though they were about 10