The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-16

but at what rate he could not judge. for
not an object ashore or aioat could be
distinguished. With the great oar thrust
over the stern, he turned the unweildy
craft broadside 10 the rapid current and
so foated on without collision or accident.
Suddenly a bugle call rang out and was
answered by others from far and near.
from fort and battery, ship and camp.
1t was 4 o'clock, The garrison was turn
ing out for the days work, and he was. to
Judge by the martial sounds which came
from all sides, still far up the harbor.
Though the sun would not rise for an
other hour he might be distinguished at
any moment. Fortunately q thick white
fog covered the surface of the water. so
thick that only half the length of the
barge on which he stood could be seen.
Under cover of the fog the barge glided
towards the sea still unobserved. But the
greatest danger of all was TO be faced.
The narrow entrance. barely a hundred
yards wide, guarded by a fort on either
side, was yet to be passed. If the fog did
not lift. and he kept the middle of the
channel. he might still escape with his
precious freight. But to keep the middle
was the difficulty. Without a single oh
49, ~ 6NlNC AAlAA liz OOAlQ OiAs ~
chance, so turning the barge round once
more he waited and drifted, oar in hand.
eyes and ears strained.
Drifting silently along, a faint sound of
footsteps caught his ear. and grew grad
ually more distinct, then a sharp order in
French rang through the fog. The mo
ment after a solid wall rose high on his
left. towards which the barge was rapidly
drifting Another instant and it would
be crashing against the side of the fort.
Springing forward. he required all his
strength to stave it off with hands and
feet. Whilst thus employed, a party of
soldiers approached the edge of the para
pet directly overhead, and changed the
sentry. By the light of the lantern, which
one of them carried, he could see each
man clearly, and gave himself up for lost.
a moment later and the relief passed on.
leaving only the one sentry. Tn man
leaned on his rifle and stood silently gaz-
ing d~ownwards. his eyes turned to the
barge; but not a sign did he give that
he had discovered its presence, for though
he could be plainly seen at his elevated
post, his eyes could not penetrate the thick
white fog which lay low on the water.
Hardly daring to breathe, Cherry pressed
the unwieldy craft away from the wall,
while the current bore it EDWARDS. Soon
to his joy the open sea was reached, and
he drifted, he knew not where, still sur
rounded by the friendly fog.
All too soon came the dawn. With the
rapidity of the tropics night gave place
to day, and the sun shot upwards, rolling
the fog away like a curtain. In an in
slant land and sea were bathed in the bril-
liant light of the rising sun, and with one
rapid glance Cherry took in the situation.
Far out to sea. we'll beyond the range of
the shore batteries. lay the "Nimble,'' mo-
tionless, without the faintest sign of smoke
from her funnel; the last ounce of coal had
been consumed. Between himself and the
destroyer fioated two dark specks; two of
the coal barges he had cut adrift. The
other three had probably run aground.
Behind him and not a mile distant was
the island, with its batteries. Hiding him.
self as best he could among the coal, he
watched the shore with some misgiving.
Nor was the feeling misplaced, for a boat
appeared at the harbor mouth and came
bounding towards him, propelled by four
oars.
Anxiously he looked towards the MIN
BILE" Two boats had left her side. One was
heading for the nearest barge, and the
other was racing towards him. He had
been seen by his friends, and might even
now be saved if he could but hold the
enemy in check till help arrived. The
French boat had not half the distance to
go, and would gain his barge some min
utes before the English. Meanwhile the
batteries had opened fire on the two more
distant ones and the British boats.
Another minute and the foe would be
alongside. Cherry looked wildly about
him for some weapon. Nothing met his
gaze, but the long oar with which he had
steered, and the coal on which he lay.
Selling a heavy block, he sprang to the
side and, raising it over his head. with
both hands hurled Il with all his might into
the crowded boat. One of the rowers
dropped his oar overheard and fell forward
on his face in the bottom of the boat
Dismayed at this unexpected attack, the
rover paused for a moment, and the boat
fell away; not, however. before Cherry
had placed another of its occupants hors
de combat. But the respite was a short
one, for with a yell from its crew the boat
dashed alongside once more. The odds were
still four TO one, but the young officer had
the advantage of standing some five feet
above his opponents. OF this he made the
most, showering down blocks of coal, as
they struggled to gain a footing, with such
good effect that the boat once more showed
off and made for the shore.
But now a more formidable foe entered
the lists. The batteries turned their atten-
ton to the nearest barge and the boat fy-
ing to its rescue. Shot after shot struck the
water about them, each coming nearer and
nearer, till at last one fell in the middle of
the coal and exploded, blowing the barge
to pieces, and Cherry knew no more.
1t was not till next day that he found
himself conscious again. and in his berth or
board the "Nimble." He was faint and weak
and seemed to be bandaged from head to
foot. a slight movement, as he attempted
to turn. sent a spasm of pain shooting
through his leg and forced a cry from his
lips. At the cry. the surgeon who was sit
ting by his side, looked up.
"Ah that's better" he said, deity turn
ing the patient to an easier position. Now
lie still and tell me how you feel; you