The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-27
A FAIR BLOCKADE BREAKER.
By T. C. De Leon.
The Thread of the Story.

GRAY who in the winter of 1868, was an active
but discreet Southern SympathlZer. Carolyn
Gray, beautiful Virginian girl, has arrived al
the Gray mansion from General Stuarts Con-
federate headquarters, after a thrilling expert
ence in which Peyton Fitzhugh. a Vlrglman IN
the Federal service, therefore Carolyn's re-
jected and despiSed lover, saved her from being
held as D spy. Carolyn has obtained medicine
for her sick brother, and is waiting the favor.
able moment to pass the blockade and get
South. Peyton Fitzhugh is in Baltimore, much
distrusted.
a. While Carolyn is still detained, rebel
prisoners are marched through Baltimore.
Is. Carolyn'S COUSIN Evan Faunteroy IS
discovered among them.
16. Mrs Gray's daughter, Bessie Westches-
ter, carries food to Evan, and Peyton Fitzhugh
gives him warm coat with a mysterious paper
init
IT. Between the lines; Carroll Meredith re-
ceives letter OF warning.
1S. Visit to Carolyn Clay in prison; the con-
tents of the mystic letter.
49, Major Bond gives Mr.. Mckee pass for
Mary Clonan and daughter. Mckee DISCUSSES
himself.
90 The midnight ride and the strange guide
81. A midnight surprise; arrival of Mckee
and Miss Clay at Pete'S cabin.
o. Visit of Evan Fauntleroy to Miss Clay.
%. Preparations for escape from the prison
pen.
"a Evan Fauntleroy and Carolyn Clay once
more together and preparing to cross the
creek.
Ice lined the banks of the creek, stiff
fleming the rushes into bayonets; and
the heavy oars cracked in the rowlocks
at first. :. But the midstream was clear,
and the slow-moving boat soon turned
into 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, fiat-bottomed skif
against the bank, biding his time. Then
all listened intently; but the negro,
dropping his great hand from his ear,
spoke first:
s.Da's de patrol boat, missy. Eff she
come up t'udder side rs gwine lay low.
Ef she come dis we's gwine out ter
meet 'er."
"Why, that's folly, Pete! We can't be
seen here" Evan began; but Miss Clay
broke in:
stHush, Evan! We're only passen-
gers, and Pete is captain. I've crossed
with him only to learn that he knows
best"
'sReck'n yo's bout right, missy" the
black replied, quietly. 'Da circus
bossy better do all de talk he got TO
ives 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
blackness fell like cloak over the
bosom of the broad stream. The shore
line, just at hand, was barely discerni-
BILE; fifty feet ahead was as inky 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:
clay lowl Bofe yo' lay in de hay;
an, min! keep still. Efyo' moobes, dis
game dun loss, sholy.''
Used to strange perils, both whites
lay close in the hay. Then Pete struck
a 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, leaving
scant space open for necessary air.
Then, lighting his black corncob pipe,
he grasped his paddle and shot the
slxif straight out into the stream, as
the patrol boat came abreast the creek.
sBoat ahoyp' rang over the water, as
the bell clicked twice and the propel-
Ter almost stopped.
| ssPatrul 'hoy!'' was Pete's return hail.
"Its only me, boss, Fishmun Pete"
ssWhere away?" came the hail again.
| eur de flats low de bend" was the
| answer. 'sI's gwine fre-fshin', 'pendin'
| on de ice in hind de pint"
Gail right, Pete" the hailing officer
answered, recognizing the familiar
voice of the unsupported negro. $50
ahead, and good luck! Well be down
after day; SO have a good mess of fish
| for u.s."
'ssholy, Mars Patrul, eff hab eny
luck; eff sum o. de transput boats doan'
bodder me-"
'They won't bother you," came the
ing up. They'll run you down, if you
don't keep your fire bright"
'I's gwine ter keep 'er bright, sholy, "
Pete called, as he padded downstream.
might, Mars Patrul!'
The propeller was ehurning the
black water once more. Pete fast draw.
ing away, aided by the current. he
turned in shore, pulled back the oil
cloths, as he rounded the point ano
dumped his torch overheard.
ssWipe yo' face, missy" he cautioned
thoughtfully. 'sDe presferation mought
freeze, an yo's warm in da hay"
Rather" cried Evan; but he shiveree
as he sat bolt upright, from sudder
change. :,
'sHe said many transports were in thu
river?'' the glrl queried, anxiously.
'He sayed it, sholy, missy" was thu
calm reply. ewes got ter run 'em
Bossy, kin you pull?"
'@That can," Evan answered, "wher'
do we CROSSE"
straight frum dis pint. De ribber'
clar now," the black replied, pausing t.
listen as he got out the sweeps. Ell w
kin cross de chainil 'thout meetin' den
,transputs, de shoal waterH sabe u.s.
They bent to their oars with will
the light boat skimming the water bird
HN< ~