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


in consequence OF the accumulated force
and vigilance OF the enemy. Disre8ard-
ing gloomy representations. at dusk we
left the harbor. Before break OF day
Abaeo light was sighted, place OF spe-
cial interest to Federal cruisers. as the
turning-point OF Notwithstanding. AT the
FIRST blush of day we were startled by
the close proximity OF three American
nen-of-war. Not the least obelsance
made they but, with shot and shell,
paid the early compliments OF the morn
Ing. The splintering spars and GAM
ared bulwarks warned us OF the neces-
slty for travelling. particularly as w
barrels OF gunpowder constituted por-
ton of our cargo. A chance smell ex-
ploding In the hold would have consigned
steamer and all hands TO tophet. we
were In capital running condition, ana
soon passed out OF range. Tremendously
our pursuers held OF TO the chase, though
Il was evident that the feet Confederate
experienced no difficulty in giving them
the go-by. In the zenith CT our ENJOY
ment Of refreshing sense of relief the
old cry OF sail, mol" came from aloft.
The lookout announced two steamers
ahead and standing for US. system OF
zigzag running became necessary TO elude
the persistent enemy. Our speed soon
accomplished the object. In about three
hours the Federals faded under the hori-
zon, and our proper course for tho Cape
Fear was resumed. Those who needed
repose retired for the indulgence. My
relaxation from official cares was OF
brief duration, as a gruff voice called
out: Captain. a burning vessel reported
aloft, sirr' Repairing on deck, by the
aid OF a spy-giass. could distinctly see
some four miles ahead a vessel enveloped
In smoke. Though not ourselves the sub
jects OF charity, nevertheless we were
human, and. as seamen, cherished the
liveliest sympathy for the unfortunate
who came TO grief on Gods wateIy high
way.
YOUR TRUE JACK TAR.
Regardless Of personal interest. your
true Jack Tar scorns the role OF Phari-
see and prides himself upon the Samari-
tan proclivities that fail not TO succor the
sufferer by the wayside. Increasing our
speed. we ran quite near 10 the burning
vessel She proved to be Spanish
bark with ensign at half-mast. out
OF her fore hatch arose a dense smoke.
Aloft were clustered n panic-strieken
group of passengers and crew. Among
them several ladies' were observed. An
Intellectual effort had been made to hoist
out the long boat, which was stl sus-
pended by the yard and stay tackles
Sending an officer aloft 10 keep a sharp
lookout that we might not be surprised
by the enemy while succoring the unfortu-
nate, the chief mate was dispatched In
the cutter TO render such assistance as
his professional intelligence might sug-
gest He found the few passengers,
among whom were four ladies', much
calmer than the officers and crew; the
latter IN place OF endeavoring TO extln-
guish the fire, which had broken out In
the forecastle compartment, we're con-
fusedly hauling upon the stay tackle in a
vain effola to launch the long boat Our
mate, with his boats crew, passed the
jabbering, panic-stricken Spaniards, and
proceeded at once 10 the forecastle, which
he instantly deiuged with water, and to
the astonishment OF all hands speedily
subdued the trifling confiagration, which
proved 70 have resulted from the burn
ing OF a quantity Of lamp rags that had
probably been set on fire by one OF the
crew who had carelessly emptied his pipe
when about TO repair on deck. The guam
tity OF Old buds that lay scattered about
Jacks luxuriously-furnished apartment
5uppiied abundant material FOR raising
dense smoke but the rough construction
o. The vessel In this locality fortunately
offered nothing infammable, and the
great sense ton, under the influence OF a
cool head. soon subsi1ed into farce. The
mate, who was much OF d vag, enjoyed
the general perturbation OF the passen-
gers, particularly on ascertaining That
three Of the ladies' hailed from Marble
head, and were returning from visit
made to an uncle who owned a we'll
stocked sugar platform near Sagu-
LeGrande, In Cuba Spanish vessel
bound TO Halifax had been selected to
I-ts fcA ~1rf Nm
yenient for transportation to New York
or Boston without risk Of being captured
by Confederate buccaneers" whom, ac-
cording to Cuban rumors, "swarmed
over the ocean and were decidedly an
thropaphagous In their proclivues."
A hail from the steamer caused the
mate TO make his adieus but not be-
lore announcing himself as one OF the
awful southern shareholders they had
in conversation mathematical. They
could not believe that so kind and po-
lite a gentleman could possibly be a
wicked rebel" "But l am, ladies, and
also a stakeholder, as is your uncle;
FAREWELL Instead OF manifesting an
ger at tho retort, they laughed heartily
and waved their handkerchiefs In kind
adieu, utterly unsuspicious Of having
received kindness and courtesy from
blockade-runner. We made the best
of speed ON our way TO Wilmington. The
following day, our last at sea, prove
undistuTbed and pleasant. At sunset
the bar bore west-northwest seventy
miles distant. 1t would be high-water at
half-past II, the proper. time for cross
ing. Sixty miles 1 determined TO dash
off at full speed, and then run slowly for
| disentangling ourselves from the feet.
EXACT NAVIGATION.
81 "a
the difficulties that perplexed the navi-
gators In running for southern harbors
during the war. The usual facilities rem
dered by lighthouses ard beacons had
ceased 10 exist, having been dispensed with
| by the Confederate Government as dan
gerous ebettors OF contemplated mischief
by the blockaders. Success in making the
/ destined harbors depended upon exact nav
| igation. q knowledge Of the coast, its
| soundings and currents, n fearless ap-
| proach, and Punishment OF the subtle So
ciety Of John Barleycorn. Non-experts TOO
often came to grief. as the many hulks on
| the Carolina coast attest Under a pres
| sure of steam we rushed ahead, annihi-
lating space and melting with excited
! fancy hours into minutes Our CELEBRITY
| shortens the distance, leaving only ten
miles between us and the bar. With
guiding lead, slowly and carefully we feel
| oul. way. Captain" observed the sedulous
| chief officer, as he strove &c peer through
the hazy atmosphere. at seems to me
from our soundings that we should be very
near the blockaders. Don't you think soT'
! At do" was my response. Hist there
goes a bell--one. two. three, four, five,
| Six, seyen--half-past H. a decidedly good
/ calculation, and Il Is high water on the
bar. BY Jovel there are two just ahead
of US, and / think both are at anchor.
! Doubtless others are cruising around
there, indicators Of the channel"
I ordered the helm put hard a-star-
board, directing the wheelsman to run
| between the two blockaders. as II is too