The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1899-12-09

his eye fiXed steadily on his compass,
until he knew if the vessel had remain
/ ed hove-to as she was at sunset, that
he must be very near her. But he look
ed in vain to see her dark hull loom up
in the gloom; he looked in vain to dis
Germ light which might guide him to
her. Admiral Seville was too old a
fox to show his position to the enemy's
fire by having his lights burning.
At this moment, when he was at
loss which way to steer, the dark clouds
which had been gathering over them
burst with long, vivid flash of light
ming and peal of deafening thunder.
He had not heard the thunder: he
needed not the rising storm. That flash
of lightning had revealed to him the
position of the vessel, not one cables
length from him.
Steady. boys! Steady" he whisper
ed, when the thunder ceased. 81 shall
run directly under her stern and get on
deck by the carved work and netting
on her quarter
The men towed silently and slowly
on, and as he marked well her pisition,
the young officer in moment found
himself under the vessels stern. An
other flash of lightning Illuminated sky
and water; and then, as he glanced up
at the gait, where the flag had been
hoiSted, he saw that it was not there.
1t had been hauledadown.
He had not anticipated this state of
affairs, and paused to consider what
he should do. He quickly formed his
resolution.
Il shall go on board alone, men," said
he. Keep the boat where she is. If the
flag is where 1 think it is, in the adj
miraRs cabin-I will have it, If I am
not back in five minutes and you hear
an alarm shove off Scud back to our
ship, and tell them that Harry Allen
died like a man? You must be eau
tious Reef that f0Tesail, for the storm
will be down upon US in less than ten
minutes ~
All this was Whispered to the men,
whose heads We're bent forward to hear
the orders which they dared not to
disobey much as they wished to share
their leaders peril.
Springing lightly from the boat,
Harry caught the quarter MEETINGS with
his hands, and noiselessly assembled to
the bulwarks. He could hear the
regular tramp of the officer of the
deck, who hayinggalEeady had every
thing reefed downefor the blow, had
nothing to do but pace the deck; but
it was so dark that he could not see
him.
A second more and the brave boy
was down on the deck and at the cabin
door which stood slightly ajar. He
peeped in through the narrow crack,
and saw the red-faced old admiral
seated at his round table, with two of
, his officers by his side. engaged over
the contents of a square bottle, which
looked very like that usually found to-
contain schnapps.
A glance at a settee just to the left
of this table showed the object of the
enterprise. The flag for which he had
jeopardised his life lay there where it
had been carelessly thrown after it
was hauled down.
The young officer did not pause long
to consider, but quietly walked into
1.-THE cabin, and taking off shisl cap,
bowed very politely to the officers. and
as he stepped towards the flag, said in
a calm and courteous manner to the
admiral:
Il have come to borrow this Itg, sir,
to use tomorrsW, if you pleased
who in the deuce are you? What
does this mean?'' cried Seville, as he
and his officers sprang to their feet.
II am Midshipman Allen, sir. of the
Montevidean service" replied Harry,
who had now seized the flag, land [
am now to carry this to Commodore
Cordovar'
AS he said this, he bounded to the
cabin door with the banner in his
grasp, followed closely by bullet from
Seville's pistol which grazed his ear,
and ere the alarm became general, he
stood upon the taffrail of the vessel.
Look out for me belowr he shouted
and flung himself into the sea without
a moments hesitation His boats
crew recognized his voice, he was
caught in a moment and dragged into
the boat, while a voley of pistol balls
wa ut Yan Nv
who were above.
The storm had now broken. and the
wind began to come in with fierce and
ftful gusts.
up foresail! Be in hurry, lads!
Up foresail, and let her slider" cried the
young hero, as soon as he could draw
breath after his duclling.
They did so, and the next moment
the little boat was flying in towards
glad sea-hird wings its way TO its
young ones nest.
The enemy opened a harmless random
fire of grape shot in their direction but
it only served to tell the anxious watch
ers on board of CordOva's vessel that
something had occurred. The latter,
therefore, at once showed lights, and
enabled Harry to make straight
course for her
1t was but half an hour after the nrSt
gun had been fired by Seville's vessel
that the boat of the young adventu ar
rounded TO alongside ofshis own craft.
Have you captured the flag? cried
the sonora" as the midshipman bound
ed over the side.
The only answer she received was the
banner, dripping wet from the water,
and cut in two places by balls that had
been fired at its captor.
No diamonds cleaned: brighter than
did that lady's eyes when she caught
the noble youth in, her arms and kissed
him again and again.