The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-08

/ Then, remembering his responsibility for
/ the lives of those with him, he stinened
up again and began to peer anxiously
around for some mark of guidance. IL
they could only go ON rowing their minds
would be occupied, and they would not
be SO much alarmed. But then he thought
/ they might be already outside the path
of the ship, and farther would take them
| into the boundleSS ocean.
! Say, there's something coming from
over there toward the left called out
| Pete. 1T looks like a big log. but it's
likely one o them daddies of all turtles
or the grandfather o the alligators."
| Il declare, l believe it's a boat" said
| 81, as his ear caught drumming in the
water, that did not seem at all like the
noise any fish would make. It's coming
very fast. too. Take up your arms, boys"
There was a spiteful fash from the OBJ
ject, the roar of hOwitzer, and shot
shrieked by them.
Boat ahoy, there" came in a sharp
challenge. 'Heave to or I'll sink you.
/ Who are you:'
Alloy yourself" shouted ST. as he and
| Shorty took aim at the men who could
now be seen Teloading the howitzer. They
feared it was boat sent after them from
the fort. Who are your Stop loading
/ that gun or well kill every man there.
Who are you? Answer at once or Wen
fire."
! Let her come nearer, so that you can
pick your men. Wait for the word, and
the minute you fire drop your guns and
| pick up your oars. Sandy, put US straight
on her, and Wen settle things hand to
hand"
We're the United States ship Flag,
d-n your impudent souls shouted the
voice in reply. Surrender or I'll blow
you out of water"
"Hoorayr yelled Shorty. We're
| Union soldiers from Sherman's army.
Hooray for Injianny. Hooray for the
Unionw
Union soldiers?" said the voice, e1-
pressing mingled astonishment and doubt.
Likely story. How did you get out
heret Don't you move an oar till l come
| up and look at yOu. Port your helm"
| he said to his stceTsman, and bring US
around alongside. Keep away from Aer
bow. Train that howitzer right on their
waist. Ready with your muskets there.
| Keep them covered"
STEADY yourselves, there" said the
cautious ST. Go slow. Don't you at
tempt to rush US or Wen salivate you
How de we know you're Union? Can't
you show light SOS we can see your
uniforms?'
We'll, [ like your nerve, you blasted
| Iand-lubbers," said the voice, not lima
turedly. 'Sassing United States vessel
that way. We don't usually take as much
bacl, talk from anybody. Open up the
| light there, Brown, and throw it on
| them
/ The bright glare showed the Lieuten-
ant in command of the steam-lanch, a
line of boys in blue uniforms, crouching
/ behind the gunwale of the boat, with
| their cooked muskets leveled on his crew.
| To exhibit their uniforms more distinctly
| 81 and Shorty were standing up, with
their guns covering the Lieutenant and
the man holding the loek-string OF the
| howitzer.
Il guess you're Yankee, all right" said
| 81, lowering his gun, as he made out the
| officers unmistakable blue garments.
Steady, boys. Recover, armsr'
Union soldiers, sure enough" said the
Lieutenant. "Ayast, men. Stand at
| case
Where in the world did you come
| from? And how did you get here, Ser
Geant?' he continued, addressing himself
| to ST.
we came straight from Sherman's
army. We were sent out to find you.
The whole of Sherman's army's right
up there, back of Sayanny, going into
siege against the place"
THE devil it is This will be news for
the Old Man. It'll tickle him to death.
You've been expected to come out some
other place, farther down, or higher up.
| But there has been 4 great deal Of bang
/
| days that we couldn't understand, but we
| thought probably some Of you were slash
| ing around out there. But you say the
whole army's there"
| Yes; the whole army" answered 81.
Except that very important part" in
| terjected Shorty, which is now rocking in
an old boat, in the middle of collection
of marine curioSities that'd make Bar
NUNS eternal fortune if he could only
| take them out West and show them"
How in the world did you get out
here?" asked the Lieutenant.
I'VE sneaked this boat from the fort
and started out to find you. We saw
you Smelling the fort this afternoon"
Devil you did2 Well, pointed that
gun myself, and 1 think laid in one or
| two right where the rebels lived.
You did, for a fact" answered 81
'sPurtiest shooting with a big gun ever
saw. / said then | wanted to shake hands
| with the man who put that shell right In
| by the flagstaff"
well, you can have that honor" an
swered the Lieutenant, JOLLY. We've
been watching you for nearly an hour,
and puzzling as TO who you were. We
| couldn't imagine what you were up to.
| AT one time we thought you might be
party trying to torpedo the ship, for
| they've been trying that. But you made
so much noise that we gave up that idea,
and you rowed so badly that we saw you
were landsmen."
Il told you, 81, that you'd learned to
row polling a hat-boat on the Wabash
said Shorty. You spoiled all my fine
work"
Throw up red rocket there, Brown,
to let 'em know on the ship that we've
got our game" commanded the Lieuten-
| ant. Throw US your painter, Sergeant,
and Wen tow you back to the ship. We
| must lose no more time in taking you
to the Captain. He'll be overjoyed to
see you"
We're in a hurry TO get to the ship,
| too" answered 81. I'VE want to see your
Surgeon. One OF our boys met with an
accident a little while ago, and he needs
attention"
Pete, who, in the excitement, had for
gotten all about the ink-squid, now re-
membered how terribly he had been hurt
and uttered a deep groan.
Poor fellow said the Lieutenant. in
deepest sympathy. Pass him over the
side here We can make him more COM
Portable in the lanch than you can in that
open boat"
Shorty lifted Pete, and the rough sail
ors, handling him as tenderly as if baby,
made q couch for him in the lanch, strip
ping off their own clothes to add TO its
SOftneSs.
They found the U. S. S. Flag lying at
anchor under the deep shadow Of grove
of palmettoes growing out of swampy