Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-30
CAPTURE OF THE FOX.

another.
CAPTURE OF THE FOX.
From New Orleans he went to Mobile,
where the blockade was close a great
fleet was anchored Off the town which
practically forbade all entrance to the
harbor. The days dragged by until final
~ Captain Austin. driven by waiting to
an uncomfortable desire for something to
tnrn up, sailed out OF the harbor in the
murl'S darkness Of cloudy night on a
tour OF investigation. There, in the ofng.
he discovered Z; steamer, loaded with
arms, ammunition. and supplies for the
waiting fleet Back in the city he pro-
Hoseo his plan TO the commanding officer.
1t was too daring for official recognition,
but permission was given to enlist vo.-
u'.;,ers for the desperate mission.
On the first favorable night, in a small
steam launch. Captain Austin and six
brave men went gliding out of the hur-
Dor. Unobserved they steamed to the
steps leading down from the steamers
side. Confident of security, but one man
had been left on deck. and he hailed the
launch as it tied up to the vessels side.
This is launch No. T., came the re-
Spouse from Captain Austin. Where's
the captain of this Ship"
He's asleep in the cabin" answered
the Waterman.
Lead me to him?" demanded Captain
Austin.
Without a thought of danger the sailor
turned and led the way along the deck,
the leader of the expedition following.
AS he climbed up the side Of the vessel
the remainder of the crew came close be-
hind Each had been instructed as to his
duty, and without 4 word they went to
their different posts.
Without knocking, the watch led the
visitor into the captains cabin. When
he was awakened he was looking down
the barrel of revolver.
The matches had been closed on the
crew, and the six men were in control.
Quickly Slipping anchor chains the YES
sci was headed toward the harbor She
was lying to the westward Of the channel
and must necessarily cross the mouth.
Scarcely had she started when she was
hailed.
Transport Fox, bound for Key West
came the response from the deck Of the
vessel as she glided past.
Again she was hailed but the same re-
ply took her safely on toward the goal.
Once in the channel. she was quickly pu,
about, and the next morning found her
tied up a the Mobile wharves. Thou
sands of ,nusllets and hull full of am
munition were turned over to the Confed-
eracy with the ship Captain Austin be-
came the lion of the hour and was pre-
scented with an elegant gold watch by the
citizens Of the town.
THIS SURPRISES FICTION.
1t was after the capture of New Or
leans that Captain Austin fell into the
| clutches of the enemy and was lodged
there in prison. But Jail walls could
never hold him. Within a few days he
was assisted to his liberty and secreteo
in the home Of a sympathizer. For ten
days he remained in hiding before a
means OF escape from the city was de-
vised. Finally one dark night a friend
from the outside came to the house and
led Captain Austin with his companion
to the water front. Swimming out in the
muddy water, the two nael. climbed over
the side Of q coal schooner and hid them
selves in the hold. The vessel was going
out light. bound for Havana, a haven
of safety for the prisoners.
At the appointed time a shutting
feet on deck told the men below that the
ship was under way. Until far out at sea
they remained in the hold, stifled with
the oGor Of bige and dust of coal. Then
friend from the outside had shipped as
nate. When darkness came he opened
he hatch and the men were released.
S:ealtkily creeping to the cabin occu-
Died by the master, they opened the door
md walked in. The captain was & Ger
.a3an and all Of his Teutonic wrath blazcu
-p the the sight of the dust-begrimed
to-: aways. He demanded their story.
Very frankly they admitted that they
we're escaping prisoners Of war and want
ID to go to Havana. With a great Prus-
sian oath the master rushed toward tn.
!oor with the intention of giving the or
Ter TO bout ship. Goolly producing
revolver. Captain Austin pointed the muz-
z!e IN the Germans face.
Stay where you are came the 11oarse
command.
Obedience seemed necessary. The stow
Always agreed to pay their passage if
allowed the freedom of the vessel as pas
sengers to Cuba. In the face Of the cir
cumstances the demand was complied
with and the ship sailed on its course.
But it was not for long. Morning
dawned. and wit, the light a ship Of war
bearing the stars and stripes appeared Il,
The distance. The captain rushed to tbs
rail and made an attempt to signal the
vassel. Suddenly he felt himself held IL,
i grasp of steel. He was forced hastily
back into his cabin, the door was locked
on him. and Captain Austin took conf
ynand A week later the schooner was
lied up at the Havana wharves and Cap
tain Austin was still in charge. turned
over to the Cuban authorities, mis- fur
Their immunity from captivity was avoid
ed by virtue of a previous meeting with
The captain general Of the island. How
this was brought about is another story.
A TERRIBLE JOURNEY.
The details Of the apture OF the block
aGe runner commanded by Captain Aus
tin in the year 1862 is forgotten history,
but the fact remains that he, in company
with his second in command, was con-
fined in a dungeon in Fort Taylor at Key
West From their cell window looked
out over the waves Of the Gulf Of Mexico
that beat fully fifty feet below. For
weeks they languished in captivity, untE
finally help arrived. One day rope was
hastily thrust through a grating follow
ed by a jug containing surplus supply
OF water and a package Of bread.
Below the window of the prison ship
foatea at anchor, and at her stern was
tied a small boat used as tender. The
location of the ship was marked.
That night was dark. Securing the rope
within the CELL Captain Austin with the
water Jug tied around his neck, climbed
from the high aperture and swung out.
Hand over hand he went down to free
dom. Owing to the necessary haste his
companion was just above him, bearing
the bread.
When fully twenty feet above the water
CAPTAIN Austin found himself at the end
of the rope It was too late TO go PACK
I'D. Letting so, he went crashing feet
downward into into waves below. HIS
companion was fairly on top OF him
when they went under. Fortunately,