Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-17

Il
ceal him entirely, the men had beer
permitted to leave the boat.
Danny Dixon, taking advantage o.
this, was in the Constitutions cutter
making a last examination for his owl
satisfaction Of the oars, rowlocks, etc.
when, above the tapping Of the watel
against the great ships side. he heart
a whisper overhead Of:
Dixon! I say, Dixon!"
Danny glanced up and saw, poket
out Of the pantry window in the dusk!
half-light, the curly head Of little
Pickle Israel, who, although only 1.
years old, had made a noble record fol
courage, and had been refused, o.
course any part Of this perilous ex.
pedition.
Now, whatsomdever are you up to
Mr.. Israeli" began Danny, but a vic.
lent shaking of the head and "sh-sh.
sh' checked him.
Turn your lantern round" whisper.
ed Pickle.
Danny turned the dark side round
and then drew the boat close up tc
the port. When the boat was just be.
low the port, and Danny had raised
his head to hear Pickles mysterious
communication, the little midshipmar
quickly wriggled himself out, and
swinging himself down by his hands
he landed silently in the boat.
Danny was so surprised that he
could not speak word, but he at once
suspected Pickles design-to go on
the expedition.
Now, Dixon" said Pickle, in q
wheedling voice, don't go and tell on
me. In fact as your superior officer
1 direct you, on leaving this boat, to
go Immediately forward, and stay
there unless you are sent for"
Danny grinned broadly at this, and
grasping Pickles hand in his own
brawny one, he nearly wrung the boys
arm off.
Pickle, Jeing very small, crawled
under the gunwale. Of the boat, where
there was an extra coil Of rope, spare
lanterns and other things necessary to
repair damages, all covered with q
tarpaulin. These things he carefully
distributed along the boat under the
gunwales, and then, covering himself
up with tarpaulin, made himself as
small as possible in place Of the ropes
and lanterns. He had left a little hole
in the tarpaulin through which he
could see, and as he curled himself up
comfortably and fixed his eyes on this
opening, there was never a happier
boy. In five minutes the little mid
shipman was sleeping soundly.
An hour afterwards he was wakened
by the boat drawing up to the flreship.
Ahead he could see the CONSTITUTIONS
boat carrying the towline. The mist
was denser still on the water, through
which the hulls and spars Of the ships
loomed with vague grandeur. The 81
rem and the Argus were getting under
way. and standing at the low rail OF
the ketch were two dark figures
Somers and Decatur.
Somers had taken a ring from his
finger and, breaking 1t in two, gave
one-half to Decatur, and put the other
half in the breast of mis- jacket.
Keep that, Decatur" he said, "in
case we should never meet again.
need not ask you to remember me"
Here Somers could say no more.
Decatur put both hands on Somers'
shoulder and his lips moved, but no
sound came. Utterly overcome with
emotion he turned silently away, got
his boat and was quickly on board his
ship, where, in his cabin, for a few
moments he gave way to a burst of
tears, such as he had not known since
he could remember.
Somers descended into his boat, the
towline was made fast, and, with the
ketchs sails set to catch the faint
breeze, soon the internal was max
ing fast through the dark water. The
Siren and Argus, having got UP their
anchors, followed the ketch at a dis
tance under short canvas.
The boats and the internal" We're
fast leaving the brigs astern in the
murky night, when Somers, who was
sitting in the stern sheets, felt some
thing moving close by him, and glanc-
ing down, he recognized in the uncer-
l;rl, nj To-. oil h
ing eyes peering up mischievously at
him.
"Why-what is this?" he asked,
amazed.
Nothing, Captain Somers, only me"
answered Pickle, scrambling up from
under the gunwale. Il wanted to go,
sir, very much, on this expedition,
just as 1 did on Captain Decatur's,
and nobody would let me; so I took
French leave and came by myself"
Somers, although vexed with the
boy, and alarmed at having him on
board, yet could not but admire his
pluck.
did any man on this boat help you
to get aboard?" he asked.
mo, sir" chirped Pickle gayly. mot
one Of them knew l was aboard until
just now.
please sorr," said Moriarity, who
was sitting next to Pickles hiding
place, Il thought as how the lanterns
and things was moighty ristless under
there, and wans't l thought I heard
'em snaze, but 1 sez, sez 'Moriarity,
me man, yez never heard Of a snazin'
lanthern, and the next minute here
comes Misther Israel, and it warn't the
lantherns afther ALL"
Somers could not help smiling at
Moriarity. and Pickle, too; but he said
gravely to the little midshipman:
DO you understand the terrible risk
we run in this attempt, and that it will
be your duty. if in danger of capture,
to blow up the ketch?"
Perfectly, sir" answered Pickle.
He now sat up straight in the boat
and his eyes were shining so that
Somers could see them in the gloom.
Il know that we have only a few
oh, hnt hat