Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-06-14
out the least hesitation:

out the least hesitation:
SAY, ay; we've parted shackle and are |
losing ground Will bring up ina couple of
cables lengths if we clear you. Stand by |
to take blow. What ships that?"
"His majesty's sloop-of-war Ajax! What
schooner's that?'
sThe Sprite," I returned at venture,
that vessel being the only schooner could
then call to mind. The answer hurled back
at me was startling.
Eye lie! The Sprite went outside this
morning on patrol. Come to, or I'll sink We!
Stand by for quarters On deck, the watch
below" Then, evidently to guard aloft:
"Where away is she? Damn the fog!"
In the quick hustle, the shrill rattle Of
the boatswain's whistle on the deck of the
enemy (which sound seemed to fill the har-
bor), and all that followed, 1 heard no an
swer to the call aloft. There was enough
close at hand, for from our own cabin there
came bedlam of shouts that drowned the
Details Of the notes of preparation made on
the Ajax.
Treason!-treason! Help!-help! IT'S
the Phantom cut out by the rebels! 'Tis
the villain Thorndyke! We are prisoners in
the cabin! Board US, for Gods sake!' and
natterof this tenor which crossed the water,
and was as plain to the ear Of the officer on
the adjacent vessel as it was to mine.
And now for US the game appeared to be
played to the end. With faces evidently
pressed close to the open headlights of the
cabin the two below had sent forth the
alarm and made the muss, past mending.
From the Ajax came loud orders, and just
% / caught the glimmer of that vessels an
Choir light as it swept by IN thick yellow
halo, there came the rattle of drum beat.
ing to quarters, and it was at once followed
by similar but faint alarm from some ship
anchored east and toward the Brookland
shore. Then we slipped into the darkness
again, and went whirling on our way.
We had missed collision, but by close
shaye only, as think there lay not two rods
betwixt me and the light i had seen. Our
move had been exposed, and the only thing
and whereabouts. The Ajax knew had
lheen anchored for upward of a month about
I mile below the grand battery" and the
way her riding light had slid by us be-
tokened the fact that just then we were NOV
ing at the rate Of four or five miles an hour.
Therefore we were now off Nutten's Is
land, but the bulk of the British fleet still
ilsy below. They were fairly close to the
Staten Island shore, however, and there
would be small danger of fouling them, the
tide always setting the fairway well into the
center Of the Narrows. But of danger from
| the forces below ! was not now thinking.
More fear had of the boats that would put
after VI from the vessel we had almost
fouled, for as we passed her and the noises
! on her deck faded in the distance, I heard
the dull clashing Of tumbling oars and the
Il aharp splash of boat az it dropped from
l the davits into the water.
As though to guide the enemy, ever and
anon there came cry from our cabins
cry that shot into the quiet air like an alarm
Ekun and drove me to madness. was now
ID one who, having broken through quick.
ut, was carrying the thorns in his flesh.
4 Danger hung over me like descending
blndgeen, though instead Of covering be.
meath the coming blow 1t net my blood on
IRE. With q curse which must have caused
1.-THE girl to shudder, seized the musket, and,
driving its butt through the nearest dead.
lisht, felt the iron stock shoe crunch against
6sah and bone. There came from within q
yell Of agony, and after silence, and then
spoke:
Another shout, We Villains, and I'll gil
the cabin with flying balls. Mind this, il
4 yonder boAts board US, before being taken
I'll kill ye both! Ye are dealing with Don
4 sld Thorndyks, and now lie and stiHe, and
may God have more mercy on.ye than have
III re spawn Of the DEVIL"
And with this cut away the Selling that
held the tarpaulin and rolled the heavy Gov
ering close to the windows, thus blocking al
ventilation below. So long as this re
manned undisturbed it would muffle any
noise they might make, and, ] fancied
/ soon bring them to terms from lack of air
Hailing Ames (who had thus far stuck te
hls post) in voice which / took care
should be heard by the prisoners, ordered
him to fire into the compartment at the
first attempt they made to move the smoth
ering cover. and then hurried forward IL
prepare for being overhauled by the boats
J, Being on my own ship, everything wal
familiar, and easily got lantern from tn.
galley and dropped into the hold, carrying
with me line. Here selected four or fiv,
Of the largest Jumps of lead which in m,
hurry ! could light upon, and, drawing then
to the deck, placed them at different points
, near the rail, that they might come handy
70 drop into and stave any boat that cam,
! closss alongside. This done, reprinted al
firearms. even to the guards musket, which
was loaded, and from the after davit quietl,
lowered the dingy, that, if worse came t.
worse, il might be possible to escape b!
4 our getting into her and disappearing. Thel
] waited.
had worked with fevrish haste, know
ing that the outcome of this episode Will