The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-14

sound have they made as they stole from
secret hiding places and gathered here.
| There is no hitch in the plan Andrew
Stevens is too skillful schemer Tor that
and this little band is risking lie and
limb in freedoms cause. Without word,
| as the last OF the ten steals toward the
| little company, the fearless leader and a
companion step to the side, lower them
selves over, and are lost TO view. The
waves plash on.
| the sentry Is tramping, each instant draw
| ing nearer, but as every nerve Is strung to
the highest tension and no man dares to
| breathe, the guard turns, so close that
| the little air he Is humming, seems pain
| fully clear.
Soon, two more fugitives have disap-
| peared, and another couple follow. The
hearts of those remaining leap into their
throats as they hear the cable creak, but
| the sentinel mutters, "Tbe wind Is ris-
| ing" and marches on.
In few seconds, but single pair re-
mains, Williamson and another sturdy
| Yankee, and now the blackness of the sea
has swallowed up them, too, and the
misery laden ship Is lightened by ten men
| with none the wiser!
| Williamson and his companion strike
out for the distant vessel with strong and
| vigorous strokes. The water Is at very
comfortable temperature, and breasting
| guided by the dark outline of the brigan-
| tine I'm the distance. 1t is rather a tire
| some swim, for the white-capped waves
somewhat impede their progress, and on
arriving at their destination, they pause
to regain breath before mounting the
| chain to join those preceding them.
Then, with the utmost caution, they go
| up the side and in moment are In
1 position to reconnoitre. There Is no need
OF seeing where the sentineis are for they
| can easily be heard, a couple OF them, con-
| versing together at the other end OF the
| ship. In second the last arrivals climb
| over the side and are among their COM
rades.
The second step OF the plot is success.
Thus far, stealth and silence had charac-
| terized the movements OF the little band,
but now sharp, vigorous action was neces-
| sary. As hitherto, their lives had de-
pended on caution, so now they depended
equally on quickness.
So noiselessly had the vessel been boarded,
that the alert ears of the sentinels de-
tected no occasion for alarm, and, doubt
less feeling perfectly secure, they trampcd
straight into the trap laid for them.
They were allowed to pass by the spot of
conceament, but on the instant that they
turned to go aft, dark forms leap upon
them like panthers and throttled them
before a single outcry could be made.
Now the leadership Of Andrew Stephens
showed itself. BRADY" he ordered, in
his sharp, decisive way, "do you and Jim
and Arnold guard these men. Now, each
man get some weapon and come on"
He snatched up the guards musket, as
he spoke, and hastily led the way
to the entrances below deck. evil
hanson" take two men and guard the
hin I'll lool mt for ho afa ra pe wit N
the Others" Just then one Of the ships
men came to the last t-named door, aroused
by the slight scuffie on deck. When he
saw the men moving about In the dark
ness, they seemed weird and uncanny to
his superstitious mind, and In the greatest
Instantly, with muttered imprecation,
Andrew fioored him by blow straight
from the shoulder.
But it was too late to prevent his calling
out, and one weak minded fellow in the
attacking party was overcome with fright
at the outcry, and leapt overheard into
Andrew noted the occurrence with
curling lip and an exclamation of Sow
ardl" He cast swift glance about, to
note the effect Of the desertion on his fol-
lowers, but all seemed to feel as he did,
and remained loyal to their leader. Dis
appointed and angered as he was at the
not allow it to dishearten him, but re-
newed his energetic action.
"Now, Williamson" he said, triskly,
''lead the way to the cabin with your men
and secure the occupants. Then make
line from there TO the steerage," and as
the order was carried out he called guard
edIy to the men in charge OF the captured
sentinels, and the latter were brought to
him. We shall see what use he made OF
them later on.
Meanwhile, Williamson, with his two
followers, marched into the cabin with
ready weapons, but found only the cap
tain there, and he snugly asleep in bed.
Without ceremony he was awakened from
his dreams by sharp shake, and he sat
up, blinking in the rays OF the lighted
lantern, to find himself a prisoner. But
no time could be wasted in explanation,
and the line was formed between the cabin
and the steerage as Andrew had ordered.
Then the leader. at the sound OF William
| sons "all right" COMMANDED those in
| the steerage TO come up one by one. Until
| then no one had dared TO risk his
comrades reception by showing himself,
but at the peremptory order, they began
TO come on Ssc. the guards
orders to shoot the first man that spoke a
word, and stationed themselves by the
steerage entrance. All the attacking
party were now provided with pistols
from the cabin, so did not fear TO trust
the guards.
One by one the crew filed past the line
| OF resolute men into the cabin, some
sullen, others good natured, but all greatly
astonished. Last OF all, the guards were
again disarmed and shut In with the
| others.
A boatswain having been allowed TO re-
main outside TO get the vessel under way,
| the anchor was soon raised, and the brig
entine was allowed To drift past the
vessels and forts, which was accomplished
| without notice.
Then all sail was set, the boetswain was
bolted i'm with his fellow captives, and In
! one hour and n half from the time An
| drew and his companion had dropped over
the side of the prison ship, the capture
aud escape was complete, and they were
speeding on over the sea, leaving danger
far behind.
Each OF the hardy men had different
tale 10 tell OF the nights happenings. To
all IL had been an intensely exciting time,
tame as IL may seem In the narrative, for
| the stirring events had followed each
other i'm quick succession, and there was
not one OF the participants In the daring
exploit who was not exhausted (by the
Al. I'll