The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-01

he was the guest of the officers of the
custom house tender Endeavor. from
the mouth of the Savannah river back
to the city. Amongst the officers Of
the steamer was one who recited the
experience of his life. He vas the
chief engineer of the Nansemond on
the occasion which has beer related.
He said his boat had been ordered by
the commander to clear ship and make
chase and felt pretty sure of a good
capture and big prize money. When
the chase hauled down the English
colors and threw to the breeze the
confederate flag. then he realized that
the chase was not a blockade runner
but in reality a confederate cruiser,
that had played a trick upon him and
decoyed him from the protection OF
the fleet only to capture or destroy
him. He felicitated himself on having
so slick a pair of heels and thus out
running the cruiser that had attempt
p ed this deception.
Captain Usina quietly listened to the
details until the officer had completed
his narrative. then he said:
Il think I can add the closing chap
ter to your remarkable adventure. I
was inScommand of the ship you
chased. I discovered early in the con-
test that l had the speed on you, and
to or tantaliZe you I Just
kept out of reach of you guns. Not
wishing to lose the tide on the Cape
Fear bar tina night. 1 determined to
try a bluff on you. 1 ordered the en-
gineer to drive full steam ahead, the
British ensign lowered and the con-
federate cross hoisted and turning
made directly for your ship. You
know the laws OF war forbid a block
ade runner aiming. for if she mounts
guns to defend herself then she be-
comes a pirate. II there was anything
aboard the Atalanta more formidable
than my pocket pistol, then it must
have been in the cargo below or be-
tween decks. 1t was a clear cas- of
bluff and did not cal me-"
The officer was not much amused
by the concluding chapter as Captain
Usina related it.
A friend of Captain Usina's when
dying confided to his are a little pet
terrier named tinker" His wonder
full luck of running in and u Of port
made his crew look around for a mas
cot. They unanimously made II
Tinker"
Advancing one of his officers to the
command of a ship this officer had
such faith in Tinker as a 'luck
maker he piled $500 in gold before
Capt Usina and said: Captain, there
are $500: let me have Tinker just one
trip" Captain Usina regarded him a
m then replied: Il reckon this
is a case where two fools meet-you
for offering so much money for such
a favor n 1 for declining it. You
can't have Tinker Nelson"
Captain USina was at st. Georges,
Bermuda. when Fort Fisher fell. Eight
hours after he left Captain Coxetter.
6, brother blockade runner, entered
port and reported the reduction of
Fort Fisher.
Ms. Usina. her a bride, and also a
connection of Captain Coxetter, was
greatly distressed because she knew
the captains destination was Whining
ton. and the fall of Fort Usher must
result in his capture.
Colonel Crenshaw. of Richmond, Va,
the manager of the steam line of
which Captain Usina's ship was a yes
sci, was at st. Georges and was to
convoy Mrs. USina to Nassau, which
port it was Captain Usina's intention
Of making on his return trip from
Wilmington.
In the deep distress the bride ap-
pealed to Captain Crenshaw, who told
her h should not feel such fear, the
captains good luck would not desert
him. Besides" announced Colonel
Crenshaw, the captain has Tinker
along; o should feel no concern
Mrs. Usina said: Il am surprised,
Colonel Crenshaw, that you should try
to allay my fears with such nonsense
"a mere sailors superstitioni' In a
day or two they took ship for Nassau.
Captain Usina, all unmindful of the
peril ahead. drew near Cape Fear and
found the mouth of the river cordoned
by three lines of warships. Pursuing
his usual tactics, he slipped through
the triple line and got under the guns
of Fort Fisher. Setting his signal. he
was so promptly answered from the
Fort he became suspicious.
Ascending his mast he saw a large
array of camp fires beyond Fort Fisher
that confirmed his suspicion. He re-
manned at the anchorage until about
3 a. m, then slowly working his ship.
slipped out from the blockade and be-
fore dawn was we'll out upon the
blue deep steaming for Nassau.
Mrs. Usina all this interval was in
great t~repidation. Colonel CrenshaW.
it so happened. was with her when
Captain Usina steamed into Nassau.
Colonel Crenshaw triumphantly said:
Look, Mrs. USina, didn't l tell you
the captain woul come out all right
The sequel shows the federal authori-
ties were so certain of his capture they
never boarded his ship, preferring to
witness the surprise and dismay OF the
crew If the morning when the terrible
fact dawned upon them they were
prisoners.
1t seems there was the unlUcky num-
Der Of thirteen blockade runners that
slipped into the Cape Fear after the
fall of Fort Fisher and only one, Cap
tain Usina's ship. escaped and-"Tin-
ker" did it. G.. y. SAUSSY,
1t. Col. and 0. NJ. G.,
Florida Div. L. c. A.