The National tribune., 1899-02-16

who was standing with ". priming-wire
in his hand watching the scene.
At that moment the boat struck heavily
against something and STOP jed. Inen
he heard an officer report to Col Ellet
Were hard aground, sir, and sounds
came up from the boiler deck of preIara'
tions to cut the spars and push the boa'
off.
The rebels noticed the boats calamity
Their officers rallied them under the cove
of the trees and logs on the bank, ano
they began a fire of sharpshooting at the
men working the guns on the hurricane
deck of the Queen. There was an attempt
to reply with the howitzers, but without
avail, and as the uselessness became
evident from the number falling every
volley, the men were ordered below
| Then the hearts of the rebels in the fur
rose, and they reopened on the Queen
| AS soon as it was evident that she
could not be gotten off the bar further
resistance was useless. She lay as u
fastened in a wise, within pistol shot
range of the mouths of the monster guns
| whose shots tore through her thanking
like hail beating through cobweb. Hci
| four boilers were pierced and enveloped
| her in cloud of steam.
| StiU her gallant crew chung to her In the
hope that something might happen which
would ease her off the bar and let iei
float out of range. They shit lled them
selves with cotton bales, 50 that they
suffered little, considering the fire that
beat upon them. When night settled
down they gave up all hope, and upon
Col. Ellet's order began making their way
off the Queen. Karl and Bronson fol-
lowed the examf lie Of their commander,
and each throwing a cotton bale over
board, climbed upon il and floated down
the river. The infantry on the shore dis
covered this, and opened up fire on the
lint IL IN Al htIt
Several miles below they were picked up
by the Era.
They were yet far from safe. The rebel
had a powerful gunboat-the Webb-lyIng
above Fort De Russy, which they knew
would start Immediately in pursuit, as ii
was was known the Queen was captured;
The Era was Slow and there was no iu' |
for her but the cypress logs gathered on
the banks.
They began by throwing overheard the
4, 800 bushels of corn, and feeding the rest
with the pork in the furnace. In spite OF
all, the evening OF the first day closed
With their having made but about 40 miles.
Their boat stuck several times, and was
with difficulty gotten off. Even the eic-
ments seemed enlisted against them, Tor
il rained in torrents, and the thunder and
lightning were terriLlc.
At last they gained the freer waters OF
the Mississippi where there was no more
UduScE ol dpIOOuu, Dut my
knew their pursuer was following them
q ,sely, and Unless some wonderfully
good fortune shoLlI intervene their fate
was irresistil lie. They crowded the fur
naces with the pork, but still she labored
heavily along.
The third day after the disaster they
were aware that there was some craft
rapidly nearing them. A dense fog coy
cred the face OF the river and hid every
thing from view, but there could he but
enemy-the Webb. At best il could only
be rebel transport, which. If il had Il
number of troops on board, could easily
make them prisoners, as they were now
without single cannon.
Su dGenly lookout cried: II see her
smokestacks above the fogl There's lots
of smoke coming out of 'eml She's Il
coal burneri Hoorayl she's Il Union boat ="
A ringing cheer that leau,ed spontane
ousiy from their surcharged hearts greeted
this joyful intelligence. II was answered
by cheer from the other boat. The two
ran alongside and the newcomer was
found to be the indiana III, Of whose run
ming the batteries an account WIS given
in former chapter. Scarcely was the
exchange of information made when the
fog lifted and the Webb was seen coming
with all the power Of her engines. The
lndianola turned to meet her. but the
rebel tn rned and fed
The pursuit was kept up until the Webb
gained the Red River n'o which she
could not be followed because the Iidi
anola's length was too great lur the sharp
turns OF the rivers channel.