Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-09

OF a pleasant exit. AS IL was necessary
TO bide the movements or the moon,
her sluggishness in retiring for the night
was regarded with considerable impa-
thence. At last, her royal majesty. over
the margin Of the western horizon, tips
Us a knowing wink and disappears. we
improve the hint and get away. In ST.
lence Caswell IS passed. and a dim
glimpse OF Fort Campbell AFFORDS fare
well view OF Dixie as the steamers head
is turned seward through the channel
The swelling greetings Of the Atlanuc
pillows announce that the bar Is passed;
over the crestlng waves the good craft
swiftly dashes, as II impatient TO prompt
~ face her trials of the night. Ihrough
tho settled darkness all eyes on board
are peering, eagerly straining to catch
a view of the dreaded senunels, who
sternly guard the tatooed channel No
thing white Is exposed to view; every
light Is extingdisned, save those that
are hooded in the pinnacle and engine
room. No sound disturbs the solemn 81
lence OF the moment. but the dismal
moaning OF the northeast wind and the
unwclcome. but unavoidable, dashiug or
our paddles. Night glasses scan the
beared horizon for a time IN vain; sud-
denly an officer, with bated breath, an
nounced several steamers. Eagerly
pointing, he reports two at anchor, and
others slowly cruising. Instantly out OF
the gloom and spoon-drift energies the
sombre, phantom form of the blockading
feet. The moment OF trial Is at hand.
firrnness and decision are essential for
the emergency. Dashing between the
two ut anchor. we pass so near as TO
excite establishment at our non-discovery,
but this resulted from the color Of our
hull, which, under certain stages Of the
atmosphere. blended SO perfectly with
the haze as to render the steamer in
visible. How keenly the grim hulls OF
the enemy are watched How taut, like
harp-strings, every nerve Is strung,
anxiously vibrating with each pulsation
of the throbbing hearth We emerged
10 windward from the two at anchor,
Captain" whispered the pilot accord
Ing to my chop logic them chaps aren't
going to squint US this blessed night?'
Ere q response could be uttered broad
spread fash Of intense light blazed from
the flags drummond, for In passing TO
windward the noise OF our PADDLES be-
trayed the proximity Of a hlockade-run-
ner. Full speedr / shouted TO the en-
gineer. Instantly the increased revolu-
tons responded to the order. Then came
the war of heavy guns. the howl OF shot,
and scream OF bursting shells Around,
above. and through the severed rigging
the iron demons howled as II pandemo-
MUM had discharged It's internal spirits
into the air. Under the influence OF
terrible shock the steamer quivers with
aspen vibrations. An explosion follows;
she IS struck!
whats the damageY' I asked.
PERILoUs POSITION.
"a shell. sir, has knocked overheard
several bales Of cotton and wounded
two OF the crew." was the response OF
the boatswain. BY the sheen Of the
drummond lights the sea is so clearly
illuminated as TO exhibit the perils OF
our position, ard show the grouping
around US Of the feet as their batteries
belched forth a hail-storm OF angry
missiles In the turmoil OF excitement,
a frightened passenger. contrary to or
ders. invaded the bridge Wringing
his hands in agony, he implored me
TO surrender and save his life and the
lives OF all on board. Much provoked,
/ directed one of the quartermasters
stationed near me TO take the luboer
below. without ceremony he seized
the unhappy individual, and as he hur-
ried him towards the cabin, menacingly
exclaimed "Shut up your fiy-trap, or
by the powres Of Mol Kelly, III hols
We Up as a target for the derision or
them Yankee gunners."
AS perils multiplied our Mazeppa
speed Increased and gradually with
drew Us from the circle of danger At
last we distanced the party. Sponta-
necusly the crew gave three hearty
cheers as relief to their pent-up anxiety
and every one began TO breathe
more naturally. This was my tenth
episode In running the blockade. Du-
ring the night we were subjected TO oc-
casonal trials OF speed. 10 avoid sus-
p'cious strangers whose characters could
not be determined. In fact, nothing In
the shape OF 4 steamer was TO be trusted,
as we entertained the belief that Con-
federates were Ishmaelites upon the
broad ocean-the recipients OF no mans
courtesy.
Day dawned upon one OF the oceans
most beautiful mornings: the soft, blue
sky circled the blue horizon, and over
the broad expanse a profound calm set
tied upon the sleeping waters. IL seemed
difficult 70 realize that such serenity was
ever tortured into the most wild and
terrific commotion by the rude storms
and hurricanes that often hold high
revelry where now not a rufiled wave
appeared or a gentle ripple bleared the
mirrored surface. Solitary and alone we
pursued our voyage, fiattered with the
hope that it would terminate without in
terruptlon. At in the afternoon we
were aroused from this felicitous reverie
by the familiar cry from the masthead
Of ''sail no"
"can you make her out?" was the off,
cial interrogatory.
eyes, sir; a large steamer heading for
usl Our course was Immediately changed;
so was that OF the stranger. When she
was reported we were engaged In over
hauling the engines and cleaning fires. OF
course. our speed under these circum-
stances was inconsiderable, and the steam
er neared us without difficulty Applying
soon, the old flag was recognized-in for
mer days a welcome banner-and the
chase commenced. Night approaches in a
royal blazonry OF gold and crimson. the
sun sinks below the horizon. leaving a
brief twilight TO light up the scene OF con-
test Some arrangement OF our engines de-
pletes our speed, and the unpleasant
knowledge CAUSES the thermometer Of hope
To fan below zero. Perplexed and annoy
ed. l debated the expediency or relieving
the vessel by throwing overheard por-
ton OF her cargo. Fortunately happy
thought came into my mind. Promptly act
ing upon the mental suggestion. sent for
the chief engineer and inquired II ne hao
q quantity OF coal dust convenient
have, sir, was the response. BE READY IN
fifteen minutes to feed with II, and have
AT hand clean fuel that win not smoke.
The order Will be given In cue season..
APPLYING COAL DUST.
In the darkness OF night chasing YES
sci % guarded by the smoke OF the neeing
craft This fact was familiar from expe-
rence, and at the proper time awaited
myself Of the acquired knowledge. The
enemy held his own, though at times we
thought he gained upon us. At length l
directed the engineer TO give liberal ep-
plication OF coal dust, and instantly dense
volumes OF sooty vapor rolled out or the
tunnels and travelled on the bosom OF the
northeast winds to the southwark ana