The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-18

any ADDRESS on receipt OF DrlCe.-aQ.
the shoulder and gave him such a push
which sent him forward like a shot. That
was the last We saw of him, but pretty
soon we heard the crack of a pistol, and
somehow we got a comforting notion that
the bully had come to grief Whether there
was any real basis for the theory 1 never
learned, but 1T was very consoling at the
time.
The plans of the raiders, which had
been well laid. included the capture of
more than one steamer. They had the
Philo Parsons, but they also wanted the
Island Queen, bound north from Sandusky,
and about dusk they gobbled her neatly.
She was at the dock of Middle Bass Is
land when the Parsons ran in beside her.
The surprise was complete.
THE Island Queen had on board COM
pany of soldiers who had served their time
and were on their way to Toledo to be
paid off, and who were totally unpre-
pared for fight. They too, were made
prisoners, and slowed away in a safe
place until the confederates were ready
to land all their captives. Then the people
of the two boats were drawn up in a line
on the Parsons-a pretty long line 1t was
for there were more than a hundred of
us. Just how many raiders there were
don't know. At the time l believed them
to number thirty-two, but since then 1
have seen smaller figures allotted to
them. However, they were sufficiently
numerous for that part of their work. As
they hustled about we had good look at
some of them. On the whole, they were
a fine set of men. Most of them were
neatly dressed. Many wore black felt hats
but there was no other suggestion of uni
form attire. Each man carried two or
three big revolvers, and had a Ratchet
stuck in a belt. Their arms, we were
told, had been brought aboard the steam
er in rough chest at Windsor, Canada,
where most of them took passage. After
ward, when the time for action came, this
chest was opened and the pistols and
hatchets were distributed Among the
gentlemen so provided for offensive oper-
atoms were some of our recent casual ac-
quaintances, but neither side was dispos-
ed to devote time to empty civilities.
well, we Cincinnatians were at the
head of the line. Up came an officer pre-
pared to swear us not to divulge anything
about the raiders movements for twenty
four hours. He asked the name and resi-
dence of each passenger before he admin
istered the oath. When he came to my
friend Skinner there was trouble.
You're a - - black abolitionist,
said he. Skinner was not the man to deny
his convictions. even at such a time, but
nevertheless the oath was administered
to him. Then the officer came to me.
"'Who are YOU? he demanded.
:" Fred Hukill, of Cincinnati said l.
Another black abolitionist, said he,
only he repeated the other words, which
didn't have to be printed to be understood.
9" No, l amt, by a long sight, said 1.
Well, perhaps, long isn't the word used,
but it viii serve.
~ thought not said he with a look a
me. Then he went on to others in line.
The next business they had on hand was
to put us ashore on the island. First they
marched us down to the lower deck, then
we stepped to the deck one by one. 1 no.
ticed that some of the ladies' luggage was
landed, and l wanted to save mine. A
guard, armed with pistols and Ratchet,
had me by the shoulder. He pushed me
toward the landing place, but hung back.
Amt you going Off he asked grufiy.
" L want my baggage l protested.
" You can't have it,.
leone ashore cried Skinner from the
dock. No doubt he understood the rash
ness of arguments.
" But when scan 1 get my traps?' I
asked of the confederate.
"'When we leave the boat; Wen run her
aground somewhere he answered.
=" Those other people have theirs 1 OBJ
jected. I want mine 1t was a bluff, but
it counted.
IN ask an officer said he. Iii a
moment he was back, and babe me take
his arm In that fashion we went aft
crawling under part of the machinery.
1 gathered up my belongings, and Skin
ners as well, and presently l was safely
on dry land. Only my friend and l and
the ladies had their baggage; the other
passengers were left with nothing but
the clothes they wore.
"rhere were then three houses on the
island and there were 10S of US to be
accommodated. Luckily for the ladies,
room was found for them under roofs
The men had to bunk where they could.
My companion and 1 slept in a haymow,
and were fairly comfortable. In the
morning he and l went fshing-we had
saved our tackle-and had some excel
lent sport. The others amused them
selves as best they could. They fastened
an old shirt to a hoop-pole and set the
pole on top of a pile of cordwood, where
the improvised signal of distress waved
for a good many hours before II brought
assistance. There were a few small
boats on the island. and in the course
Of the morning a good many got away
in them and along in the afternoon the
fishing smack Gazelle put in. She was
only thrty-two feet long, but her skip
per let US crowd aboard until she was
packed from stem 10 stern. We were
in need OF elbow room, and there was
aOthing 10 eat on the Gazeile except
some herring and crackers II wasn't
exactly a pleasure trip.
HH.HHa H~Na