The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-22

escape by speed was simply impossible
1t was for this reason that our Long
Tom was retained at high wages
which he squandered with other prodi-
gals, in playing crackaloo with double
gold eagles. 1t was a simple game:
two or more persons each threw up q
gold piece, the n falling upon a joint
or crack winning the others which eli
between the lines. This was forbid
den at sea, but such discipline was re-
Taxed in port.
Our first night at sea was clear ana
beautiful, the air, cool and grateful,
contrasted with the severe and at
times almost suffocating warmth OF
the limestone islands. After the even
ing meal, Gregory and | snugly en-
scOnced in the lee Of the cabin, which
was on deck, sat far into the night
gazing with wonder upon the tranquil
glory of the stars, which shone with
exceeding %splendOr, and talking with
sad hearts of the waning light of the
star of the c~onfederacy which had
reached it's zenith at Charlottesville
and which sank so disastrously at the
later battle Of Gettysburg. The wind
was light, but the rush of the Staunch
little ship at full speed brought to our
listening ears the faint sound of a bell,
not that of a ship striking the change
OF watch, but a continuous peal of ir-
regular strokes. In a few moment.
1t ceased, n | have often wondered
what it meant, for no sail was visible
that night. Alert and eager for it's
repetition, which came not, our Won
derment was increased by the cry of
a human voice in the darkness ahead,
which was also observed by the look
outs aloft and allow, and, while Long
Tom was rapidly climbing the ratlines
of the foremost to the cross trees, our
captain appeared on the bridge, and
brought the ship to a full stop. In
painful silence all eyes and ears were
strained to catch a sight or sound from
the mysterious object ahead. Again
and again the long drawn Wailing cry.
Could it be a c~astaway? The sailors
instinct nd sympathy is never SO much
aroused as by such an incident. Shift
ing our course a point or two we pro-
ceeded slowly ahead; the cry grew
clearer, with despairful lamentations;
800 oUA SouAoS was SIAdASCu, AC
paddles, slowly turning. Ignoring the
usual precaution of silence on board,
night, the captain ordered the Of
of the deck to answer with a hair.
instinct and sympathy is never so much
in a few moments Long Tom reported
to the commander On the bridge, "a
niger in a ships boat, sir" What"
said the captain, "can he be doing out
in a boat $50 miles from land?"
I'm blessed if / know, sir, but I'm
you the truth" "Castaway, sir,
close aboard" was the second officers
report a few moments later. 'Heave
him a line" said the commander. The
falls of the davits were soon hooked
and the boat, with it's lonesome
occupant, hoisted to the deck. The
next morning, when I was dressing,
the chief steward knocked at my door
man whom we had rescued the night
before, "for," said he, s'there is some
thing mysterious about his plight,
which he refuses to make known to
On going forward 1 found a
negro man of about so years of age,
apparently in deep distress; mutual
recognition was instantaneous, the
poor fellow fell at my feet and EN-.
braced my knees, with broken sobs
Of ooh, Marse John, Marse John,
Marse John" His story was soon told
in the hOmely and pathetic vernacular
OF the old time southern darby. He
had long been the butler and body SER
want of my uncle at Orion plantation,
WhnC0 I0vn1r lo,,ol+~- Iol --- 49,
heart to a manly young n%eighbor
he went away to the war, which
had desolated many southern homes.
The fearful news of disaster had come
from Gettysburg, in which her lover
was engaged with his company on
Hill. He had been shot through
he lungs and was left dying on the
field, which was later occupied by tn.
enemy. Then a veil wars drawn, for.
all subsequent inquiries as to his death
and the disposal of his body were I'M
aValilng. The poor girl at Orion,
grief stricken, haunted by fears of the
worst, and Knocked by her efforts to
seek him beyond the lines, slowly fad
to a shadow of her former self.
Again and again my uncle returned
OLh q uOpSISoS SSdICn dt1IOuS tu6 NV
ing and the dead, when he, too, began
% pine away, for the wal had robbed
li1l of all but the child whom he
and now she, too, was Slip
ping away from him 1t was then that
his natures nobleman in a black skin,
came forward and desired his liberty
go through the lines in Virginia
md never return until he brought the
body dead, or news Of his young mas
.er living, to the dear mistress whom
ne loved more than his own life. In
Vain my uncle refused. How could he,
slave, overcome obstacles which the
master, with all his influence, had
JAILED to accomplish. At last he gave
me desired pass to proceed to the
missing boys command upon this mis-
sion OF mercy which was countersign-
by the proper authority. and the