Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-08-05
"A Fair
Blockade Breaker
ny T, c, DELEON.

MT first. But the mtd5tream was clear,
and the slow-moving boat soon turned
into q broad, black inlet that showed
them, straight ahead, the broad Poto-
mac, waveless and barely touched by
last rays Of the sinking moon. Warily
and slow Pete Rugged the darker shore,
;nosing his Light, hat-bottomed skf
against the bank, hiding hisltime. Then
all listened intently; but. the negro,
dropping his great hand from his ear,
spoke first:
"Da's de patrol boat. missy. Eff she
come up t'udder side rss gwine lay low.
Eff she come dis we's gwine out ter
meet 'er."
"Why, that's folly, Petel We can't be
seen here" Evan began; but Miss Clay,
broke in:
Flush, Evanl We're only passen-
gers, and Pete is captain. I've crossed,
with him only to learn that he knows,
| best"
"Reclx'n yo's bout right, missy" the
bossy better do all de talk he got TO-
we's outen de creek. He boun' ter keep
pow'ful shet den, sholy."
The moon went down behind the up
river heights with sudden dip, and
bosom of the broad stream. The shore
line, just at hand, was barely discerni7
BILE; fifty feet ahead was as inly and
and shapeless as Acheron's pit. But
paddles were clearly heard nova
propeller turning rapidly; and the
sounds indicated close approach to the.
| northern shore. Then Pete ordered,
quietly:
Lay low! Bofe yo' lay in de hay;
an, mini keep still. Efyo' moobes, dis
game dun loss, sholy."
Used to strange perils, both whites;
lay close in the hay. Then Pete struck,
match and touched the light wood
| knots piled on an earthen mound in the
bow, by their flicker pulling the Oil
| cloths smoothly above them, leavingl
scant space open for necessary air.
Then, lighting his black corncob pipe,
he grasped his paddle and shot the
skiff straight out into the stream, as
the patrol boat came abreast the creek.
BOAT ahoyW rang over the water, as
the bell clicked twice and the propel-
Ter almost stopped.
| "Patrul 'hoy!" was Pete's return hail.
"It's only me, boss, Fishmun Pete"
| "Where away?" came the hail again.
Fur de flats low de bend" was the
answer. CTS gwine fire-hshin', 'pendin'
on de ice in hind de pint
"All right, Pete" the hailing officer
answered, recognizing the familiar
voice of the unsupported negro. go
ahead, and good luckl Well be down
after day; SO have good mess of fish
for us"
'Sholy, Mars Patrul, eff hab eny
luck; eff sum o. dc transput boats doan'
bodder me-"
'"They won't bother you," came the
answer. But there's many one COM
ing up. They'll run you down, if you
don't keep your fire bright"
"Ps gwine ter keep 'er bright, sholy,"
Pete called, as he padded downstream.
"Night, Mars Patrulv'
The propeller was churning the
black water once more, Pete fast draw
irg away, aided by the current. He
turned in shore, pulled back tho oil
cloths, as he rounded the point and
dumped his torch overheard.
"Wipe yo' face, Missy" he cautioned,
thoughtfully. de presferation mought
freeze, an yo's warm in da hay"
Rather" cried Evan; but he shivered
as he sat bolt upright, from sudden
change.
HE said many transports were in the
riverP'' the girl queried, anxiously.
HE sayed it, sholy, missy" was the
calm reply. ewes got ter run 'em
Bossy, kin you pulp"
''That 1 can," Evan answered, ''where
do we cross?'
Straight frum dis pint. De ribber's
clar now" the black replied, pausing tx
listen Us he got out the sweeps. Eff we
kin cross de chainil 'thout meetin' den
transputs, de shoal water'n sabe u.s."
They bent to their oars with a will
the light boat Swimming the water bird
like into the darkness, and headed
straight across. Even the boatman'
hardened old muscles were taxed t.
, keep her head even, against the strong
e regular stroke of the young scout
o But, just on the edge Of the channel
, Pete suddenly cried: Lift! Denis com
In" And softly on the night brolz
the sound of q churning propeller
growing clearer as she rounded tn
point just below.
"Let us keep on" urged Evan, rest
ing on his oar.
glossy, you jes' do wot says" Pet
replied. 'We can't mex fass huff time
I'gin' de current, ter git outen sigh
| lore Qem comes. we mus 1eh er urlu
tell dem passes"
The night-hush over the river was Gu
by a signal whistle, near, below, ar
swered by another close behind, the
still third, far away.
'"There are SEVERAL" the girl sale
anxiously. "Can we not cross befor
themT'
r "Not 'thout rowin' hard" the negr
20 answered. "Den dem I'D hear Us al
shoot, sholy. Yves got ter drift al
wait. Be reddy ter kiver wen Pet
? GIBBS de motion"
He unshipped and packed the oar
his broad-bladed paddle turning tn
boats nose to the slack, as she slowl
. drifted downstream. Then he fshe
b. from the seat well-oiled wooden rag
securely muff1ing the rowlocks.
Il The propeller's splash grew loud'
rapidly; soon great steamers lght
cleaned sickly through the gloom, an
she was abreast Of them, moving slowl
4, Anr kHava ctS