Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-07-06


anchor we had left, creating futter among
the inhabitants of the hamlet, who were
nightly alarmed at seeing a schooner bear
ing no flag sail up within gunshot of the
shore and round to as though for a broad
side. Heretofore they had not been mo-
Tested, but perhaps it was an inward sense
of trouble impending which made them
quake at the mysterious action of the Phan-
tom, for barely fortnight was to elapse
ere Grey, the "Hand of Iron," sailed up as
1 had done, and under the guns of the feet
demanded the usual tribute of blood and an
unusual one of forage.
But now, saving few fishermen drawn
up on the beach, there was not craft in the
harbor. The peace of the evening, the
quiet beauty of the green land, and the feel
ing of safety fell on my spirits like bene-
diction after an impressive sermon, and l
breathed as one breathes on waking from the
! horrors of nightmare. War and danger had
vanished as had vanished the storm clouds
of the day before, and, indeed, SO far as
the events of the past few days had affected
me, they had been but as q nightmare or
as had been the storm to the land, leaving
but few marks to tell of its fearful reality.
In a week had recovered from the ter
r7ble strain. to which had been subjected,
noticing only that my head had taken on
few white threads had never seen be-
mainstay through life, were neither loosened
nor frayed by the desperate tune circum-
stance had thrummed upon them.
I had suddenly shot from an era of con-
fict to one of peace, thought, nor did /
dream 1 should be aroused again, unless ]
voluntarily took the field. I became a
hero, too, nor was my notoriety cheap one.
From Edgartown to the heights of Gays
head the fame of my achievements spread,
hoJ VIII n
lay about the latter point, being unstinted
in their sober congratulations to the "Big
Thorn" as was called by them.
Seafarers- and those drawing their sub
sistence from the sea are stolid to apparent
Indifference as to the fortune, be it good or
bad, fate deals out to them. They become
Injured to the fickleness of the great element
which is at once a threat and mainstay,
and the rack of uncertainty on which they
are stretched for most of their lives makes
wild demonstration impossible, be their joys
mighty or their griefs deep.
And SO, when appeared before my moth
! er, who, as feared, had given me over as
| dead, there was no violence of emotion
only stunned, ghost-seeing look on he1
white face as I entered her presence and
| opened my arms to her, and the single ar
ticulate cry of My son! my son!" as she fell
| into them. It was but little more from my
| sister, who had been brought up in the
| same stoical school, and by the time my long
| story had been told, much as am telling il
| here, the quiet round of daily life had been
| regained, the sick and wounded transferred
| to the small house overlooking the sound
| and the doctor, full of protestations as to his
! good intentions, and yet surly withal, in
| stalled medical attendant.
After my arrival my earliest business was
! to clear up my mind of two responsibilities
i'll, - @r
| Gen. Sullivan of the intended move of Sill
| Henry Clinton, as l feared that by some
| slip my first message through the Jenny's
captain might have miscarried; the second
to have the Phantom's cargo delivered al
New London.
The news of the arrival of Howe and the
! departure from Newport of the French tt