White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-04-06
CHAPTER VII-Continued

army officers gave them no credit.
The roar Of Washington's cannon had
the effect of merry jest in Howe's
army.
The Fayerweathers were aboard the
flagship of the fleet in the harbor on
q visit to Admiral Shuldam when the
guns of Ticonderoga and others from
Dorchester heights to East Cam
bridge, opened whitening fire on the
defenses in front of them. 1t was the
clever girl Pat who was responsible
for this flagship party. She had had
hint from Revere. Pats maid had
deserted her in the panic and so En-
slow, as she was then called, went
with them to serve in that capacity.
That night of March 4, 1776, from
dark to daylight, the guns from Ticon-
deroga beloved and sheets of flame
were leaping upward along the seven
mile line of Washington. 1t was a
night of terror. Cannon-balls splashed
into the harbor One of them tore
through the rigging of ship and
splintered mast. An order was given
to weigh anchor and hoist sails and
move out Of range. This was done.
After daylight, when the firing had
ceased, Admiral Shuldam returned for
observation. At prudent distance
from the town an officer climbed to
the masthead and with his glass noted
the extent Of the disaster. A big re-
doubt, built in the night, now crowned
the heights of Dorchester Many Of
the British works were destroyed. The
city itself had suffered little damage.
But the town and the harbor were at
Washington's mercy. His artillery
had become a menace instead of a
Joke.
The admiral informed General Howe
that unless the enemy was dislodged
he could not occupy the harbor. That
afternoon Howe took three thousand
men to Castle island for an attack
but it was held in check by great
storm. Before an advance was pos
sible, Washington had so strength
ened and extended his works that
Howe abandoned his plan. The latter
offered to embark his army and leave
the city uninjured If permitted to do
80 without molestation. The proposal
was not signed, but the commander of
the patriots had no doubt OF it's sin
certify. So, his supply Of powder hav-
ing been shortened by the cannonade
and, desiring to save the city, he let
the British go in peace.
The bombardment had continued
three nights. No one on the flagship
had been allowed to go ashore. The
important loyalists in town came
aboard with their luggage. and, as
soon as the storm abated, the admiral
found an anchorage far out of range
and lay to while the army was en-
barking on other ships. SO it befell
that the Fayerwearhers and some nine
hundred loyalists sailed for Halifax
with the British army on the seven
teenth Of March.
The Captains Amos Farnsworth and
Colin Cabot rode into the almost de-
serted city with their regiment the day
following the evacuation to explore 1t
and report to the Commander in Chief.
They found large stores of food and
ammunition which the overcrowded
ships had not been able to accom-
modate.
The big houses we're all deserted
save by hired caretakers living in the
stables. From one of these Colin
learned that the Fayerweathers had
gone with the admiral of the fleet
The young man turned to Amos with
a groan as they rode away. saying
"My heart is about as dead and lonely
as the city. begin to fear that
shall not see her again"
"Cheer up, my son, which It amt
no time to be feelin' poorly" Amos
answered. "rhe war will soon be
over. They don't want to play with
as no more
The two captains went to the fish
market and found the old sea-god Eb-
enezer Snoach, who stood with his
spy-glass cycling the far horizon in the
east. "They'll go with the wind
northard." he said. 1.-THE sea will
keep a-taxin' 'em. The sea Is the
great king. He'll wear 'em out"
"The tickle and merciless ocean Is
our ally" said Colin.
Returning they found preparations
In progress for breaking camp. Day
after day they labored in the almost
deserted city loading ships and wagons.
The shifting backgrounds of war
had broken many threads of hope.
That between the two lovers was now
badly strained. The mind Of the girl
was like pot boiling with the heat
Of her Indignation. The international
issues were to her matter Of minor
Importance. II had been clearly the
duty of the British army to surrender
and cease to delay peace and happy
weddings. It's fleet had made a quick
Journey to Halifax.
There the Fayerweathers lived at
a tavern for time and presently set
tied in a furnished house. Among
their first quests were General Sir Guy