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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 msBmsemmmn wmm E /^/^? BAFFLING THE BLOCKADE. 11 Ml c7 '"■"^^"i-nk M '• /■/«■ /-Mt hgan io payoff, and both held on Jor di.ir ///.■•" ^_^ ^ ^^^^ ■^ /.«' ',■• i il Baffling The Blockade BY •:M J. MACDONALD OXLEY Aittkoy of '' Diamond RoJc," " t'/ Anionic' the Ice-l'loes," ''Jit the H'ihh of ihc West Coast," &'C. &r'C. T. NELSON AND SONS London, Edinhiiri;lt, and Neiu York 1896 XM 63 2014 CONTENTS. -M- I. A BLOCKADED POUT, II. F1TTIN(; UP TUK "FLAMINGO," III. KUNNINO THE BLOCKADE, .... IV. A SUCCESSFUL STUATEOY, .... V. THE BLOCKADE-llUNXEUS' RENDEZVOUS, VI. TilE EXCHANGE TO THE "GREYHOUND," VII. THE RUN ACROSS, VIIL SAFE INTO PORT, IX. THE NAVAL ATTACK ON CHARLESTON, X. A HOT PURSUIT, .... XI. NASSAU ONCE MORE, XII. A TRIP TO CUBA, XIII, AT THE MERCY OF THE STOR.M, XIV. CAST AWAY, XV. IN OPEN BOATS, .... XVI. FEVER-SMITTEN 26 43 60 75 92 108 124 140 155 169 185 200 213 228 241 Bl Vlll CONTENTS. XVII. AX UNEXPECTED MEETING, XVIII. BEFORE THE STIPENDIARY, XIX. IN TWOFOLD PERIL, XX. A STERN CHASE, .... XXI. A BERMUDA HOLIDAY, XXIL CAPTURED AT LAST, XXIII. THE DASH TO CHARLESTON, XXIV. A CLOSE SHAVE, .... XXV. FOR THE LAST TIME, 254 267 281 295 309 323 a3G 348 302 i' 1^ 254 2G7 281 295 301) 323 330 348 3G2 BAFFLING THE BLOCKADE. CHAPTER 1. A BLOCKADED PORT. f I ^HE hand of war lay heavily ujion the Southern P -■- States. The conflict between North and South Was at its height, and the rich fair land had become 0no vast battle-ground, over which armies marched fnd counter-marched, or engaged in bloody conflict. W In the country the farms and plantations, left by |hc men to the care of tlie women and children, M'ere Jeing but very inadequately tilled, or were altogether loiiig to waste; while in the city the warehouses mcvQ empty of goods, the oflices deserted of clerks, pid the wharves vacant of ships. Every man fit to bear arms in the field that could Dssibly leave home was serving in the armv, liskinir 10 A BLOCKADED PORT. life day by day in the face of bullets and bayonets, or, what were even more deadly, fever and fainijie. The Northern armies had invested the South by land, and the Northern navies bad bloekaded bur ports by sea, so completely that all regular eomnui- nication with the outside world was cut off. That great group of states, with their millions of people, was practically in the position of a besieged city. Only some wonderful series of victories could effect their deliverance. Failing this, they nmst simply endure as bravely as they might until starved into surrender. By general consent the rest of the world remained mere spectators of the struggle. " Hands oif ! Let them fight it out between themselves ! " the great powers of Europe had said warningly to one another; and piteous and awful as was this strife of brother in blue against bi'other in grey, they could hardly have done otherwise. For England or France to have taken sides, and to / have actively interfered, would only hav^e fearfully aggravated the calamity. It would have set Christen- dom ablaze, and stayed the progress of the world for ,a century. Yet Eiiii'land at least had far more than a senti- r / A BLOCKADED I'OKT. 11 baj^oncts, uni)ie. South by aded her comiiiu- tr. That f people, ged city, lid effect t smiply •vcd into remaincfl 3if! Let the great anotlier ; »rother in •dly have s, and to fearfully Christen- I'oiid for a senti- •^ental interest in this civil war. From the Southern ^tatcs previous to the outbreak of liostilities had lonie the chief supply of cotton for the world, and England was then even more than now the chief seat lof the cotton-spinning- industry. I The blockading of the Atlantic ports of the it southern States meant not only that the English ^rnanufactui'es Mhich had there enjoyed so profitable |a market were shut out, but that the cotton upon Avliich the looms of Lancashire depended was shut 'M\. Thus it came to pass ere long that the " cotton 'famine," as it was called, caused as much suffering in parts of England as the war did in the States of the »S(juth. The mills were idle, the operatives were Avithout wages, and starvation could only be kept off I by charity on a tremendous scale. f Jt was this woful state of aflaii's no doubt whicli had much to do with the prevalence of sympathy I fur the South among the people of England. They wanted the South to win, so that cotton might once more come plentifully to their mills. fti the meantime, millions of bales were piling up along the Atlantic coast, or accumulating upon the plantations, while the people to whom they belonged were in sore need of the very articles that England masm 12 A BLOCKADED I'OKT. i and otlicr nations would have been so glad to supply in exchanixc. Anionu: tlie mercantile houses devoted to the cotton business in Charleston, South Carolina, that of John Sinclair's Sons held an honourable place. The founder of the firm had long since passed away after a prosperous career, and the " Sons," two men in the prime of life, had worthily upheld the fortunes of tlie concern, so that when the war broke out they were rightly regarded as very wealthy. With handsome residences in the city and extensiV.; plantations in the country, with children growing up around them amidst all the luxuries that abundant possessions could atlbrd, the lines of the Sinclair brothers certainly seemed to have fallen to them in pleasant places. But the war wrouii'ht a woful chano'e. Joim Sinclair, the elder brother, responding to his country's call, took command of a cavalry regiment recruited from the elife of Charleston, and went into the thick of the struggle. Robert, the younger, incapaci- tated for military service by a club-foot which made him a partial cripple, had to remain at home, where he chafed bitterly against his enforced inaction. The blockading of the port by the Federal cruisers d 111 stall ^appin ions ] To inldrc nd t] \vo sti Vvr A BLOCKADED PORT. 13 supply le cotton of John 0. The ray after n in the es of the ley -were 'xtonsiVv wing up ,bunclant Sinclair thcni in Joim ountrv's ecriiited nto the ncapaci- h made , where cruisers liurden of trouble by vain ropinings. J 14 A r.LOCKADED PORT. The two eldest boys in the two families were especial friends, despite differences of disposition and temperament that made them almost the opposites of each other. Victor, Robert's son, belonged distinctly to the Southern type. He was tall and. rather sliiidit of figure, sallow of skin, rnd had hair and eyes as black as a raven's. Beneath a cool and indifferent manner that sometimes took on a disdainful tone, he hid a temper capable of violent outbursts. But to these he rarely gave way. Ho had more than a touch of knightly dignity in his nature, and looked upon any undue exhibition of temper as some- thing of which to be ashamed. His sensitive pride shrank (;ven from his own disapproval, and his constant endeavour to avoid such self-judgment gave him an air of restraint that prevented his being popular among his fellows. " Victor 's a rei]:ular icebero; ! " said one of them indignant!}-, on an occasion when he thought more emotion ought to have been shown ; and the phrase pretty accurately expressed the general opinion con- ccrninix him. But he was an iceberof Avith a volcano hidden in his heart, if such a mixed metaphor may be permitted, A BLOCKADIU) POUT. 15 lies wore ition and positcs of T to the slight of i as black t manner he hid a lad moro iture, and as some- ive pride and his lent gave lis being of them •■ht more le phrase lion con- lidden in Permitted, [is feelings were really as keen as those of the very 0n('s wlio most misunderstood him, and that he should jbrefer to keep them to himself was, as he eonceivcd, Entirely his own business. ^^? ;■ His cousin Ernest, on the other hand, took a very ^asy, good-humoured view of life. When ho was in :|Ui amiable frame of mind, and that was his normal Condition, the fact was patent to everybody ; and tvlk'n his temper was up, he made no pretence of d.sgnising his irritation. I It was ever so much less trouble to speak or to lict according to your impulse, Ernest argued, than |o stop short to consider just what ought to ba ■|3one. 1 Easily moved to laughter or to tears ; quick to Respond to a challenge to play or to tight ; slow to suspect evil of any one ; determined to have as good a time as possible, and willing for everybody else to *hare in it, Ernest could not fail to bo beloved by liis fi-ionds, and to have very few enemies. In appearance he was so unlike the other boys about him that he seemed to belonir to some different -race. Of the same height as his cousin, ho had a jDreadtli of shoulder and depth of chest that stood m marked contrast to the other's slimness. More- 16 A BLOCKADED PORT. ovor, his hair was a touslo of crisp golden curls, and his eyes ^;ere as blue as the sky above him. The secret of all this lay in the fact that his mother was of English birth, having been wooed and won by Mr. Sinclair while paying a lengthened visit to the old land. Ernest was liis mother's boy in more senses than one, the very fact that ho so markedly inherited the characteristics of her own family, and was thus so different from his companions, being to her a source of peculiar pride and pleasure. The breaking out of the war found the boys well advanced in their teens, and if they had been per- mittee^ to have their own way they would both have gone to the front without delay. But to this neither of theii' fathers would consent. They were in hearty accord that the army was no place for boys, and were not to be moved from this opinion. " It's just downi-iglit mean — that's what it is," exclaimed Ernest petulantly, after the failure of a final attempt to change his uncle's mind. " I don't see why father objects so strongly to my going to join him. I could be a bugler, or ' a mounted messenger, or something, I'm sure. Dear knows, I can ride well enough, at all events." (55S) '•'II Ihave itlMi Ifight, ■fwill n liave ( ■p'\\'as SI 1 " Y. Our d fits mi boo so( lell int iritngoi In s )f thoii fricndo tht'v lij No . veil a> lad su( Erne vlio ini lad ; w SfN'hen t A BLOCKADED VOIVF 17 L'ls, and liat his ed and ed visit boy in ho so cr own ^anions, asure. )ys well en per- ;h have onscnt. was no )m this it IS, e of a I don't )in2!; to ounted s, I can i* '':i " Don't fret, Ernie," said Victor quietly. " We'll have onr chance before long — if not with the army, Jth'n in sonu' other way. This is going to be a big |ii"ht, I can tell you, and before it's ended the South Jwill need every fellow that's willing to help. We'll ave our chance, never you fear." lie spoke with such calm confidence that Ernest kvas sufficiently convinced to cease his grumbling. " You're just right there, Victor," he responded. ' Our chance is Ijound to come ; but in the meantime, t's mighty poor fun waiting for it. It can't come 00 soon to please me," and throwing out his arms he ell into the pose of one waiting the approach of an ntagonist. Ill spite of, or perhaps, it should be said, because f their many dissimilarities, the two boys were bosom I'iend... Victor being but six months Ernest's senior, hey had been playmates from the nursery. No one, save his own mother, understood Victor so roll as Ernest, and with the same exception no one ad such a hold upon Victors heart as Ernest. Ernest was ever Victor's champion before those ho misunderstood and disliked the reserved, tacitui-n ad ; while Victor often stood Ernest in o-ood stead hen the latter's impetuosity had got him into some 18 A BLOCKADED PORT. clifFiculty out of wliicli lio was puzzled to extricato himself. Not long before the opening ol' the conflict, they had both taken possession of stools in the connting- rooni of John Sinclair's Sons, and began to cherish ambitions thoniihts concerninc!: the time when " John Sinclair's Grandsons " would be more accurate. But the blockading of the port not only made their pens rust idly on the desk, it rudely dispelled all these fair dreams of future comii^ercial dicrnitv. Unless some way of marketing their immense ac- cumulations of cotton could 1)0 found, the firm of John Sinclair's Sons must become irretrievably in- solvent. Debarred fi'om taking any active pai*t in the struggle, the boys were resolved to witness as much as they could of it at all events. They therefore seized every opportunity of visiting the forts which defended the harbour, because from them could ho seen the cruisers of the blockading squadrons lying at their anchors, or moving warily to and fro. Manv a time Ernest shook his fist at this hostile fleet, exchiiminiif angrily, — " Confound you ! I'd like to blow every one of you out of the water ! " range A T'.LOrKADED POKT. If) bricatc :, thoy mting- jhcrisli " John made spelled lignity. ise ae- firm of .l)ly in- m the much lerel'orc which IDiild he lying IS hostile .'4 •i of you Ihit. Victor would content himself with a siiTnificant scowl of profound liatred. It was not his way to waste vain words upon anythin^^ or anyhody. But ^his tliong-lits were ceaselessly active despite his silence. Sometimes as they stood upon the upper walls of Fort Snmter, or were on the ramparts of the batteries Ion Morris Island, a Federal cruiser would come within ^ange of the lieavy guns. For such an opportunity h(^ Southern artillerymen were always on the watch, nd without delay iron missiles would be sent hurtling fter the impertinent intruder. Quite often these hard compliments would be Returned, and a brisk duel take place, greatly to the iboys' delight. But these emx^'ifrements were usually brief. The cruisers rarely came close enough to do !:any damage, or to suffer harm, their action being more for the sake of keeping their gunners in piactice than with the expectation of silencing a battery. The most important and exciting engagement that he boys had the good fortune to witness was the allant attempt made by two ironclad rams to break ho blockade. With infinite pains and ingenuity, for they were rofully short of the proper machinery and material, ,?f? 20 A liLOCKADKI) POIIT. iir tlio Con f('( hi rates liad fontrivod td construct two stranyo -looking vessels somewhat similar to the famous Merrlmac, hut of smaller size. Thoy were nanied the Chicora and the Pa.lmdto Stat^ ; and i^a-eat hopes were entertained of thoir etfectivoness against the wooden frigates and gun- boats that made up the l)locka hiuc an A I view of tho ^Ip^ht '. " lie pnsently incinired. "Of course 1 would," ausw('r»'(l N'ictor, "and I intcudt'd going down to Fort Sinnter for tliat very >|)iU'pose." I " What would you say to having a better chance ^o see it all than cvrn from the top of Fort Sumter ? " % Ijiioriril Ernest, with a ' ,u'licant suule that moved |V'ictor to retort impaticntl}', — i '• What are yon driving at, Ernie ? Out with it. M)on't keen me ^vaitin^• in this a'^iiTuvatinir way." f " Is there anything the matter M'ith our going iiluwn in tho Flambiqo, and watching the whole ilbusiness from a safe distance ? " responded Ernest, his %ierry face growing more serious as the daring and fclinht of the thing came over him. l^'or a moment or two Victor regarded Ids cousin it\itli an expression such as mi'dit have been called Worth hy a statue suddenly l^reaking into speech. MTho very brilliance of the suixa'estion dazzled him nto momentary silence. Tlien his sallow face flamed and his dark eyes plashed, as ho sprang towards Ernest as though ithrilled with an electric shock. ]^ ji " What a glorious notion ! " he cried, grasping his l A BLOCKADED PORT. ! ■,!- cousin by the arms, and giving him an ecstatic shake. " How did you ever happen to think of it ? " Elated at this enthusiastic reception of his idea, Ernest was for going right off to see about arranging for the Flamingo, when the more calculating Victor checked him with the questioning remark, — " I hope father won't object." At this a cloud fell upon Ernest's countenance. In the characteristic haste of his thoughts he had not paused to take into accoinit the possibility of his uncle vetoing the scheme. But that contingency had now to be considered. " Surely ho won't," he returned v.'±di more than a suspicion of a pout. " We'll take care not to run any risks oi being captured." " We'll have to get his consent, anyway," said Victor, " and I vote we go and ask him now." Accordingly they hurried off to the warehouse, where they knew Victor's father would be at that hour. As it chanced they could not have hit upon a more propitious moment. Mr. Sinclair was just in that bitter, dejected frame of mind when anything that promised diversion was heartily welcome. His forced inaction while others were fio-htin:j for the A BLOCKADED POUT. 23 2static ■ it ? " ; idea, mging Victor iiiance. le had lity of L'cd. e than not to ', said ehousc, it that upon a just in lything His tor the cause so dear to his heart, and the apparently hopeless ruin of the great connnercial establish- ment in which he had taken such pride, preyed cruelly on his spirit. He sorely needed relief from himself and his own carking cares. On Ernest presenting his proposition ho stared at liim for an instant, being hardly less surprised l;y it than his son had been. Then his face lit up, and bringing his hand down on the desk with a heavy bajig, he exclaimed, — " Ernie, you're a regular genius ! That's a great scheme ! We'll do it — suro's vou'i-e born." With his njind completely taken off his worries for the time, Mr. Sinclair set about making the necessary arrangements. The Flamingo was a steamer belonging to the linn, and used in making trips to Wilmington, Savamiali, and others of the South Atlantic ports, conveying merchandise and carrying cotton. She was a paddle-wdieel cral't of about one hundred and fifty tons burden, and capable under pres,'.vre of the then notable speed of ten knots an hour. Although intended more especially for freight purposes, she had a very roomy, comfortable cabin, 24 A BLOCKADED POUT. and had on many occasions done service as a pleasure yacht, conveying the Sinclairs and their friends down to Florida oiT hunting expeditions, or across to the West India Islands for a holiday trip. Since the blockading of Charleston the Flamingo had been lying idle at the wharf. She was too lightly constructed to be of any use as a gunboat, and there was no chance of her displaying her admirable qualifications for duty as a dispatch boat. A few hours sufficed to put her in readiness, and nothing remained but to wait for the starting of the ironclads. As soon as it became known that the little steamer was going down to witness the fight, Mr. Sinclair was overwhelmed with requests for permission to accompany him, of which he granted as many as the boat could comfortably accommodate. It was in the early morning of the last day of January when the two rams slipped quietly down the harbour, and passing between Fort ]\Ioultrie on the left and Fort Sumter on the right, steered steadily towards the long line of cruisers lying at anchor just out of range of the Confederate batteries. A BLOCKADED PORT. 25 Close behind them followed the Flaoningo until J the main ship-channel was reached. Here, protected by the rifled guns of Fort Wagner on Morris Island, she was free to move to and fro and miss nothing of the coming conflict. Trembling with excitement, 8 the two boys, who had taken up their positions 'M on the main-truck, awaited the opening of the cniiau'cment. mmamimmm CHAPTER 11. FITTING UP THE " FLAMINGO." CONCEALED by the mornini,^ hazo which hung heavily over the water, tlie Chlcora and the Palmetto ^itate hore down upon their i'oes. They were very curious-looking" affairs, and utterly unlike the ordinary war-vessel. One hundred and fifty feet in length and nearly forty in breadth, they lay very low in the water, and were entirely without masts or top-hamper of any kind save a slight flag- statl' at bow and stern. Their sharply-sloping sides which rose from a flat deck were protected by a double layer of two-inch iron bolted to a s(jlid backing of oak nearly two feet thick. Their bows Avere eloiigated so as to constitute a formidable ram, which was also heavily armoured. Both cari'ied an armament of what were then regarded as heavy guns, and their speed was about seven knots an hour. FITTINU VV TllJ'] " FLAMINGO }) 27 a flat 'o-iiicli Passiii"" tlirough the North Channel, the Palmetto \i:it(ite steered straight for the MercccUta, a wooden [gunhoat then lying at her moorings ; and lier approach ht'ing well masked by the mist, she was almost along- side before a sudden clearing of the atmosphere re- [vealed her presence. " What steamer is that { Drop your anchor, or llvou will be into us ! " shouted the Merccd'itax captain, Mnut a little startled by this strange apparition. 'm, " The Confederate States' steamer Pidinetto State," Swas her commander's response, and, as he spoke, lie ^lii'L'd an eight-inch shell into his opponent, M'hich, fp after piercing tlie boiler, exploded so as to blow a ^Imge hole in the opposite side of the vessel close to the waterdine. The escaijinLi' steam wrouii'ht more havoc than the .shell, and the captain of the Merccdlta, being called j^U})')ii to surrender, thought it best to haul down his Hag and give parole for his officers and men, A\'hen Ernest saw the Union colours loweretl, he Av;i\-('(1 so jubilant that lie would assure tliii's ill C(,m fttiack 1 FITTIXCi TIP TI[E " FLAMIXOO. >> ni :\rr. Put :argot Fort ,1 fleet ^^vns f.ir from being scattered. Dn tlic contrary, ro- ^§ iiii'orcoinents w(to at onco sent for, and ore any * advaiitn^^c could bo taken of their temporary defeat ^tliov had closed in upon the approaches to Charleston jjiuorc resolutely than before. Having been in so favourable a position to witness the Avhole of tlic engagement, Victor and Ernest were #natui"ally in great demand to give an account of what atliey had seen. J This 10 latter thoroughly enjoyed doing ; but MVietor, iiaving told the story once, thought it too Mnuicli trouble to repeat it, and considerably increased *his unpopularity by closing his lips upon the subject. is ^loreover, there was fermenting in his mind a Ssc'lu'ine which he wanted to think out thoroughly Mbeforo broaching it even to Ernest. i Xow a very noticeable chanfje took place in ^Ir. :^^<)lK'rt Sinclair after the naval conflict of which ho li;in as he | to him- self. '■ It's not tlie money I care for; it's the fun of the tiling'-" 1)uriny' tlie followini^ fortniiflit i\Ir. Sinclair was one of the busiest men in Charleston, and as a natural conse(|iH'nce one of the cheeriest. At lii'st Victor and Eriu-st were the only perscjns Avlio fully shared his confidence. He wanted his plans as nearly perfected as possible before allowing them to become public. There was more cause for this than simply a proper desire to keep his own coiuisel until he saw his way i clear to carrying out his design. The existence of Northern spies was more than suspected in the city. From time to time information [had reached the enemy which could have come only [from .some one inside the ►Southern lines. A more perilous occupation a man could hardly en- Igagc in, yet througliout the war there were many [found on both sides who, inspired by love of country or greed of gold, were willing to run the fearful risks linvolved. ^Vllilo Victor's circle of friends was a very limited lone, lu'nest, to use a conunon expression, knew every- jljody. In fact he rather prided himself upon the [extent and variety of his acquaintance. 34 FITTIN(J UP TlIK " FLAMIXGO/' Amonc^ tlioso who sccmod specially anxious for in- timacy with him was one Silas Fitch, of wliosc ante- cedents littlo was known, savn tliat ho had come to Charleston shortly after the opening;' of the war, claim- ing: to have found the North too hot for him because I of his Southern sympathies. Fitch was a _<:;'ood many years Ernest's senior, yet soon after his arrival he sought his companionship in a way that could not fail of being flattering to the boy. He was rather a brilliant fellow, had evidently seen a good deal of the world, possessed no small skill at | various games, always dressed in a stylish fashion, and <| cultivated a blase man-of-the-world manner wdiich in- genuous Ernest thought very much to be admired. Victor instinctively disliked Fitch without being able to account clearly for the antipathy. " I can't for the life of me see what you like in that fellow Fitch," lie would say invpat](;n:ly to Ernest. " And I can't see what vou dislike in him," Ernest would retort. "He's a first-class chap, I think, and I wish you'd take to him too." But Victor either couldn't or wouldn't take to him although his father was favourably impressed by him. I and made him welcome as a visitor at his house. i'iTTiN(j UP Tin; KI.A.MIN(i() »j ',]■ • lu- ll I Lc- ic to laiin- causc r, yet lip in O till' y seen vin at >n, ami cli in- (1. be ill!:; Ill that }Ht. I Ernest I [k, ami bo him.; )y him. I le. Fitch cvidfiilly pcrcrivi'fl \'ictoi''s ilisliki*, and hiitl liiinstU' out to dispel it hy ovory means in his power. But with only partial success. The utmost ho could win fi'<»iii hlui was a well-bred toleration that kept him cuustautly at ai-m's leni^'th. As the days slippiMl by, and the preparation for Mr. Sinclair's enterprise approached comi)letion, Fitch was ceiitinually on liand, until, more for that reason than i for any other, Mr. Sinclair took liiiii into his confidence. He at once manifested a buiniuLf desire to be pcr- iiiittcil to share in the venture. ''It's everlastingly dull doini;' nothing here," he urged; "and 111 turn my hand to anything you say m lonij as vou let me loin vou." Xot only did ho speak for himself, but lie got Ernest to plead on his behalf, and, although Victor was strongly opposed to liis request being granted, Mr. Sinclair in the end gave his consent. Perhaps if he had been permitted to see the smile f sardonic exultation that Fitch's face wore when he eft him, he might have reconsidered his decision. Of course Mv. Sinclair's proceedings could not go .inohscrved, and innumerable M'ere the questions howered upon him and the two boys associated with liin. 36 FITTING UP THE " FLAMINGO." I' These inquiries neither he nor Victor found any clifRciilty in evr.diiig, nor were they in the least dis- turbed by the wild and surprising rumours that got into circulation. Some would have it that they were turning the Flamingo into an ironclad of a very novel feature, wherewith to make another attempt upon the bloc^t- aders. Others asserted that the steamer was to become a fire-ship of a peculiarly destructiv^e kind, which, bc"ng sent into the midst of the cruisers, was to blow up at the right moment and scatter destruction all about her. ! Still others, taking a less generous and patriotic view of the matter, darkly hinted that what Mr. Sin- clair had in mind was to load the FUnningo with cotton, and then putting on board his own family and his brother's, clear out some dark night, trusting to evade i.ie cruisers, and find a refuo'e in the West India Islands, there to wait comfortably until the war wa^ over. Poor Ernest was greatly bothered by the questions, and incensed by the rumours that came to his ears.^ Many a time he exclaimed in petulance, — " Hang all this secrecy ! What's the use of it any- freelj' fi Tliese m FITTING UP THE " FLAMlNUo/' 37 India ir was jstions, Is ears. it any- way ^ Everybody's talking about us, and saying all sorts of tilings. Perhaps if thoy knew just what we Avcro up to they'd let us alone." But it was precisely because Mr. Sinclair felt sure that if the public did know what he was about they would not let him alone that he so strictly enjoined secrecy ; and Ernest obeyed him faithfully, difficult as ho found the task to be. F)y the end of ten days great changes had been made in the Flamingo. Originally built so as to have accommodation for both passengers and freight, all her arrangements for the former were ruthlessly i'cmoved. The rear cabin, with its comfortable state-rooms, was stripped of all fittings and finishings, and con- verted into n, receptacle for cargo. The hold itself was altered so as to considerably enlarge its capacity, and only the small fore-cabin was left for the use of those who should be on board. Her engines were thoroughly overhauled and put in first-class order, and the rear sheathing of the paddle-boxes taken off, so thr.t when she w^as being driven at her utmost speed the water miglit get away freely from the floats of the big wdieels. These floats, moreover, w^ere changed to the feather- I!: 38 FITTING UP THE " FLAMINGO/' ing kind ; and in fact nothing that would help to im- prove the steamer's speed was left undone. Finally, her funnel was made telescopic, so that its height could, if necessary, be reduced one-half ; and the whole vessel was painted a dull leaden colour that would render her entirely invisible at sea when only a short distance off. By the time his preparations had reached this stage, Mr. Sinclair thought it expedient to declare his pur- poses. No sooner had he done so than the accuracy of his foresight was proved, for he was simply over- whelmed with requests, petitions, and prayers from every quarter. People who had neither the courage nor the ability to undertake such an enterprise as his, wei-e none the less eager to profit by his venture ; and had he accepted one -half the suggestions oilcrcd, or assumed one- quarter of the commissions urged upon him, he would have been as heavily burdened as Atlas, But he had no thous^ht of doino; either. He would just go his own way and no other, miheedful of the advice, and indifferent to the temptations spread before him. It was a vast relief to Ernest to speak freely of their plans. Once his lips were unsealed his tongue rcasoi Cu ill hi anxio tliini7. "I lie .sai " Thcr I be m'la }'ou're "Lg (liu'nat to do ; tlicY're lla.l liave f{ Ills lici •showed would coveriii laUL;]l c "Is afraid It M-i FITTING UP THE " FLAMINGO." 39 would 1 )f the I spread 1 ely of ,onr tlio cotton to exclaim Lreatlilcssly, — " Father, tliore's a Lig' ship just ahead! We're run u'nvj; Yi<^]\t into her. palack hull on tlic starl)oard bow not move than two hundred yards away. For some reason this cruiser was carrying no liglits, and hence her presence had not been detected until the Flmnlvrjo was almost upon her. ]]xcitable Ernest nearly sliouted out — not in fear, hilt in frantic hasto for the course of the steamer to lie cliar.ged. Jii an instant the order went from the pilot to the cnn'ine-room to reverse the port Mdieel and keep on with the other, wdiilc the rudder was set hard a-port until tlie chains were lilce bars of iron. The pilot swore vigorously under his breath, and Mr. Sinclair's face grew white and stern, but neither showed a trace of nervousness. With a quickness possible only in a paddle-wheel steamer the Flamingo swung around, and dashed off on a course at riofht anoi'les to her former one. Silas Fitch, perched on a bale of cotton amidships, I 48 liu:^^'l^(i thh ui.ockadk. M'a(clu'(l all tliis with intense interest. TFad it hocn daylight, a deeided shadow of disappointment min'lit have been seen to dai'ken his countenance as tli" presence of the ])lockade-runncr continued unperceived on board the cruiser. Suddeidy he drew a cigar from his pocket, aivl setting it between his teeth, struck a match to light it. His position was such that the blaze of tli*' match could not fail to be visible to any alert watcher on the Federal ship. As the match flared up the pilot gave a howl of rage, and with a fierce oath demanded who it was that had lit the match. Fitch at once hastened to the bridge, profuse in apology and penitence for his thoughtlessness. " 1 am so worked up," he explained, " that I hardly know what I'm doino." " Then you'd better go below till we're out of this scrape, you blamed idiot ! " growled the pilot, who was in too high a temper to have any respect for the offender's feelings. Giving the pilot a look that boded him no good if he ever got the chance of doing him harm. Fitch went down into the cabin, mutterino- somethinix that was not audible. nut the cni fig] Its the st;ir 'I 'i: " Fi •( fiiini,' I RUNNING THE r.LUCKADK. But tlic iniscliiof bad been already duru'. I'p from tlie cruiser's bow a rocket soared liissiiij^- into mid-air, ''voke in a brilliant sliower of coloured spray. bi'^hts llaslied on ber deck, and from lier stern came the startling bail, — '• 1 'ave-to instantly, or I'll fire ! " "Ft 'e away tbcn !" responde-d Mr. Sinclair, straiglit- eiiini,^ bimself up, and tben bowing towards tbe cruiser as tliougli accepting a cballcnge. " O n you give her any more steam ? " he asked of tlic (. gine-room. ^*- another pound," the chief engineer answered. "feues up to X. • ^'^'^ notch now." "All right tlien ; keep i.." there," was the response. The next moment a blinding lla.sh, followed by a tremendous report, came from the cruiser. Not being able to make out the Flamimjo clearly, but guessing her position from the momentary Ihire of tlie match, tlic connnander of the cruiser let ily liis whole broadside. By conmion consent all on the blockade-runner's deck threw themselves down Hat, or dodiied behind tlie cotton bales, while the volley of shot and shell whistled by. Happily the little steamer sat so low in tlie water that the iron hail went harmlessly over her, one shot (666) 4 50 KUNNING THE BLOCKADE. alono takiniij cffbcfc, and it (loino- no more damaij^e than the carrying away of the foremast above the truck. " They've clean missed us ! " cried Ernest exultantly; ' though they did try so hard," " That fellow 's too extravagant with his ammuni- tion," said Victor contemptuously. " He's more likely to hit one of his own crowd than us if he doesn't :ako care." It was evident that the whole fleet was now aroused. Rockets went up from ship after ship, and lights gleamed upon their decks. No further shots were fired, however, probably through fear of their hitting one another, but they were plaiidy endeavouring to close in upon the vessel which was scekin*'' to evade their viiiilauce. " They're not going to let us off easy," said the pilot to Mr. Sinclair. " If they can only make us out, they'll follow us right out to sea. But I reckon we can show them a pretty good '^-dr of heels." Such good speed was tlu lamlngu making that already the hulls of the cruisers were no longer to bo distinguished, and there was a ring of triumph in Mr. Sinclair's voice as he responded, — " Let them follow ; a stern-chase is a long chase and I RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. 51 and we'll soon put thoin all astern at the rate we're ironiix- Once more steering straight for her destination, the Fhuarngo tore through the water, leaving the pursu- ing cruisers further behind every minute. They had been under only half steam when she broke through their line, and of course it took some time for them to get up to their full speed. These precious minutes the VlnMimcjo put to such good advantage that, favoured by the obscuiity of the ]iight, she gave them all the slip, and when daylight dawned not a sini-'le cruiser was visible. Nobody on board had thought of closing his eyes during the excitement, and the two boys particularly felt thoroughly tired out, so that after breakfast they were u'lad to turn into their bunks for a irood snooze. But although the blockade had been so successfully passed, there could be no relaxation of vigilance on board the steamer. The Northerners were not content with strivini-" to close the Southern ports. Their cruisers sentinelled tlio seas between the Atlantic coast and the West India Islands, and at any moment one of these hostile vessels might be encountered, ready to make a prize of the Flaminr/o. 52 RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. The clay proved as fine as could be wished, and with everybody but one in high spirits the little steamer kept steadily on her course, running at three- quarter speed. The one exception was Silas Fitch. Although Ml'. Sinclair, his good-humour restored by tlie fact that no serious consequences had ensued, seemed quite satisfied with the profuse apologies he made for his stupidit}^ there had been a questioning look in Victor's eye that was not i-eassuring. " He's too mighty cute," muttered Fitch to himself, " and if I don't keep a sliai'p eye on him he'll spoil my programme yet." Just what his pi-ogrannne was no one on board the Flamingo knew, or even surmised. Victor himself had not the slightest suspicion of the real truth. He simply felt an aversion toward the fellow, which made him quick to catch at any cause of offence, and he was determined to have as little of his company as possible. In fact, liis mind would not be at rest concerning him until he was off the Flamingo for good. No one on board the blockade-runner had more keenly enjoyed the excitement of the chase than the negro Erebus. So complete was his devotion to his RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. 63 master that tlie fact of the niaiii cause of the war bciiK"" tlie abolition of slavery had had no effect in his mind. While other slaves were escaping to the North, or plotting against their owners at liome, his fidelity liad remained unshaken. It therefore meant nothing to liim that, if the Flamingo were captured, he would at once obtain his freedom. On the contrary, there was nobody more concerned for the success of her venture than he, " By golly, Massa Ernest ! " he cried, coming up to Erne.st after the latter had awakened from his nap, " wasn't dat jest de best kind ob a lark, eh ? " and ho broke into a hearty laugh that revealed a mouth capable of admitting a whole orange without overdue straining. " De way dose big fool Yankees kep' banging awa}'' when we wasn't where dey was aiming at all, ho ! ho ! ho ! " and teeth and eyes flashed white as he roared out his merriment. " But you mustn't laugh till you'i*e out of the wood, Rebus," responded Ernest with an indulgent smile, for he thoroughly liked the big fellow, and was always ready to chat with him. "We're not done with the Yankee cruisers yet." " What's dat you say, Massa Ernest ? " asked the negro, his sable countenance suddenly changing from 54 RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. gay to grave. " Surely goodness dcse not a-going to come after us again." "Not those tliat we've got away from," answered Ernest, smiling at the quick collapse of Erebus' re- joicings. " But don't flatter yourself that they're all we have to look out for. We might come across a cruiser any minute. There are lots of them hunting around — bad luck to them." " Whoopee ! " exclaimed Erebus, shoving out his thick lips, and wrinkling his wool -crowned brows. " Der ain't much fun about dat. But," and his face brightened again, " dey can't catch us anyway. De little Flmnlngo she run away from de best ob dem." The morning was not far advanced before his con- fidence in the steamer was put to the test, for about nine o'clock the look-out on the mast called out to Mr. Sinclair, M'ho was on the bridge, — " Steamer ahoy, sir ! " " Where away ? " asked Mr. Sinclair, the anxious look that had left his face for a time quickly coming back to it. " Right astern, sir, and coming straight on." Sure enough in a few minutes more a large paddle- wheel cruiser hove into view about six miles astern, RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. 55 and, catching sight of the Flamivgo's smoke, at once made cliaso. Not only was all steam put on, but sails were hoisted on both masts, the foremast having been suiTiciently repaired to still do duty. Yet, althouiih the en^^ines worked admiral)lv, and the sails drew M'ell, b}' the end of the first half-liour it was evident that the heavy cargo the Flmnivgo carried had its effect upon her speed. " I'm afeard the cruiser has the legs of us, sir," said the pilot glumly to ^Ir. Sinclair, " and with the whole day afore us it's rather a bad look-out." " She does seem to be gaining on us, pilot," replied Mr. Sinclair ; " but she'll have a long hard job of it getting near enough to board us, I can tell you." "If we strike the Gulf Stream right, and she doesn't, we'll make up all we've lost," said the pilot, brightening up a little at this idea, which had just occiu'rcd to him ; " and we must be pretty near the edo-e of it now." Keeping one eye on the cruiser, and with the other watching for the cui'ious ripple which marked the Gulf Stream, the pilot was silent, until suddeily he exclaimed, — " There it is ! We'll head for it.^' • > RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. The ripple was plainly discernible, and steering straight for it the Flamiwjo, on crossing the edge of the stream, got the benefit of the current, there run- nincif at the rate oi three miles an hour. Seeing the blockade-runner alter her course, the cruiser did the same ; but as she did not cross the ripple on the edge of the stream, and the course she was then steering tended to keep her for some time from doing so, the Flammgo dropped her rapidly astern, until she had a clear lead of at least seven miles. " Bah ! bah 1 " shouted Ernest derisively at the big cruiser. " You're not so smart as you thought your- self after all. You'd better just give up the job as a bad one, and ffo back to vour station." " She's not going to give us up for a while yet,"' said Fitch, with a smile that "was not altogether one of sympathy with the boy's premature jubilation. " She seems to be o-ainino: a little on us too." He was ri^-ht. Beino: now in the current of the Gulf Stream herself, and enjoying its advantage to the same degree as her quarry, the cruiser once more began to close in, until by five o'clock in the afternoon not more than three miles separated pursuer and pursued. though RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. 67 " Unless we can keep out of her reacli until dark, we're in a fair way to see New York, boys," said Mr. Sinclair, in a tone full of d(\jection. " It's con- founded liard lines making a miss of it at the very start, but it's the fortune of war. I hope they'll not be too hard upon you, anyway." At six o'clock tlie cruiser began firing fi'om the Par- rot fi'un in her bow, but at first the shot fell far short. " They're not the best marksmen in the world, are they ? " said Victor contemptuously. " All the bett(jr for us," replied Ernest. " I don't care how badly they miss us. It's being hit I mind, and we'll stand a good chance of that happening before lonix." The sun set a little before seven o'clock, and by that time the Federal vessel had got so near that her shots went right over the Flamingo, and she was steadily coming up. Already the pilot's courage was beginning to falter, and he gave questioning glances at Mr. Sinclair, who stood beside him on the bridofe. But the latter showed no sio-n of weakenino-. His features set in a look of almost savage sternness, he kept his eyes fixed upon the advancing cruiser as though measuring each yard of her progress. 5ahamas ; it's called Green Turtle Quay, I believe ; and there's a little settlement of Britishers there that it would pay us to lay up at until we know the coast's clear." Tlic Flamingo accordingly felt her way carefully in- shore, and came to anchor alongside the islet, upon which a largo white English ensign was forthwith hoisted so that there might be no mistake as to its being British territory. The feeling of security that now .\ame over those on board the blockade-runner was delightful 1)eyond description. For the first time since leaving Charles- ton their minds were at ease, and Mr. Sinclair ha\ing intimated that he would not proceed any further until after mid-day, nearly everybody was free to indulge in any relaxation they liked. The two boys, accompanied by Erebus, went ashore. They were quite glad to set foot on solid ground 68 A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY. again after the exciting time tlirongh which they had passed. After some conversation with the residents, who seemed very sociably disposed, as indeed they might be, for the blockade-runners were becoming quite a source of profit to them, they went over to the other side of the island. Here there was a le -ge of smooth rock just awash w4th the waves, the sound of whose soft splashing appealed too strongly to Ernest to be resisted. " Let's have a swim," he cried, pulling off his jacket. " I'm fairly roa? uing, and I must cool off." Victor, being of the same mind, began to undress also, saying to Erebus, who was looking with longing eyes at the clear cool water, — " You come in too. You look as if you M'anted to." With a mao-nificent inin and a Q-lad exclamation of, " You'se just right, Massa Victor," Erebus doffed the shirt and trousers which constituted his habiliments, and, standing in the sun, a pei-fect model for a sable Hercules, waited for the boys to lead the way into the w^ater. The bath was most invio-oratini-' and Ernest entered so thoroughly into the enjoyment of it that, not content with swimming and splashing about in the A SUCCESSFUL STRATECY. 69 ring to. of. the 'iits, able into neigliboiirhood of the ledge, he started across to a Lit of rock tluit jutted out a hundred yards away. " I'll race you round that rock," he called to Victor, who was a little way oti' from him, but equally near the indicated goal. I " I'm too lazy to race," responded Victor, rolling over luxuriously on his back. " Better not go so far, Massa Ernest," called out Erebus warningly. " Dere might be sharks round here. Dunno, but dere might." Victor did not liear this, having let his head go under just at the moment, or else he would have supported the negro's advice. But Ernest, with characteristic recklessness, only shook his head, and kept on. He was a strong, fast swimmer, and very proud of his skill in the water. Erebus said nothing more, but going ashore, took his shcath-knife f I'om his belt, and then hastened after Ernest. " Big knife 's a bery good tiling when dere's sharks knocking round," he murmured to himself. It was a superb sight the way the huge fellow clove his way through the water. He seemed more like .some aquatic animal than a humar being. 70 A SUCCE8SFUL STRATEGY. Ernest, glancing back and seeing him coming on. sliouted out in jovial challenge, — " Come along, you steam-engine. I'll give yon a dime if you beat me now." As ho had full twent^'-flve yards' start, the chances seemed in Ernest's favour, despite the negro's great superiority as a swinuner. But before he liad got much more than half-way to the rock, A'ictor, who had gone ashore to watch the race, gave an agonized shout of, — " Shark ! shark ! Oh, look out for him ! " Thoucch Ernest did not hear the warninix crv. Erebus did, and, glancing ahead, saw the triangular hn of a big shark cutting swiftly through the water as the horrid creature bore down upon Ernest. " Massa Ernest ! Massa Ernest ! " cried the negro frantically. " Turn dis way, please. Dere's a shark a-eomin' after you. See ! " Ernest heard him at once, and, givhig a starthxl look around, saw the hateful black fin rushing at him. All thou^'ht of the race vanished in an instant, and. turning about, he swam back towards Erebus with all his mio'ht. The negro, on his part, put forth his utmost strength to reach him, while Victor, standing on the A SUCCESSFUL STKATEGY. 71 I tor ark .led im. ikI, litli lost the ledfTG, utterly unable to render any assistance, watched with consuming anxiety this thrilling three-sided contest. It was of short duration. Erebus got to Ernest some yards in advance of the shark. " Swim away, massa," he panted. " I'll fix him." His sheath-knife was in his mouth, but he changed it to his right hand, and, as Ernest passed him, he stopped swimming to set up a tremendous splashing. At this sudden commotion the shark halted in astonishment, and Erebus, seeing his chance, sank beneath the water, diving in the direction oi' the man-eater. When he rose again it was the shark that was splarshing violently, and a keen eye might have detected a tinge of red in the smother of foam the monster made. The negro's face shone with triumph. " By golly but I did gib it to him ! " he spluttered ; and then raising the gory knife he shouted to Victor, whose pallid features were already being suffused with the radiance of joyful relief, " Dat's de medicine for sharks, massa ; he won't want another dose." Erebus did not boast prematurely. The gaping gash he had made in the shark's stomach banished 72 A SUCCESS!' UL STRATEGY. all hunoer for a meal on human flesli, cither white or black, and the nKnister hurried away to recover from its friglit and injury. " Good for you, Rebus," cried Victor warmly when the negro landed. " You did that just splendidly. I'll tell father about it as soon as we go back." " Yes, indeed you did," panted Ernest, as soon as he recovered his breath. " You just saved my life, and I can't thank you enough for it ; but I'll do as much for you some day, if I get the chance." Erebus flashed his eyes and his teeth in keen enjoyment of these compliments. He was well satisfied with himself, and fully realized the advantage it would be to him to have rendered such timely service to the " young massa." Having had quite enough of the water for that time tliey put on their clothes, and, at Victor's suggestion, climbed to the highest point on the island to see the view. Victor was first at the top, and the moment lie looked out to sea he gave a start, and turning round to the others called out, — " There's a cruiser out there ! and she's watching the Flamingo ! " " Confound it, so there is ! " exclaimed Ernest, A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY. 73 wlicu lie reached Victor's side. " But aren't we all safe ? " he asked anxiously. " She can't touch its here, can she ? " " I don't think so," answered Victor. " Let's hurry back to the steamer." Away they ran at full speed, and, arriving on board much out of breath, found Mr. Sinclair studying the cruiser's movements through his binocular with an expression of consideralilc anxiety in his face. " Can they come in and capture us, uncle ? " cried Ernest, stumbling up the steps of the bridge in his haste. Without taking his eyes oil' the Federal ship, Mr. Sinclair growled out, — " That depends on their commander, Ernest. He can take us easy enough, if he's willing to run the risk." The Flamingo, piled to the rails with cotton, was certainly a rich enough bait to tempt many a man to brave the consequences of breaking the law of nations. In reality nothincf but the Enii'lish ensicfn wavinof lazilv in the o-entle mornino- breeze stood between the Federal commander and a prize whose proceeds would fill his pockets. There was no fort on the little island, nor ]neans of defence of any kind. For a long time the cruiser hovered near, keeping 74 A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY. thoso on bojird tlic Llockade-ninncr in a fever of uncertainty. Mr. Sinclair, indeed, iiad serious thoug'lits of unloading his cotton at the island, and trusting to be able to come back for it later on. He felt sure that the Noi-therners would not dare to touch it once it was safely upon British soil. Silas Fitch was moving about in a very restless fashion. When no one was observing him he would make faces at the cruiser and mutter, — " Blamed fo(jls ! what are you waiting for ? " But when standinii' for a minute beside Ernest he took care to say, — • " She Mon't come any nearer. They wouldn't dare break the law. It would brinii' the British riciit down on them, and tlicy don't want that, I can tell you." Still the cruiser hung around, as if her commander were trying to sunnnon up courage to push in and take his prize, whatever the law might be. " I wish I liad a ofood ritled li'un here," exclaimed Mr. Sinclair fervently. "A shell in her boilers might teach her manners." But there was no ritled gun at hand, and it would have been a crazy thing to use it if there had been. The only policy was to keep quiet, and as patiently as possible await the cruiser's action. CHAPTER V. THE ULOCKAOE-UUNNEIIS' llENDEZVOUS. T T was well on in the afternoon before the crniser ^ gave up the watch. Then attracted apparently by the sight of a sail to the northward, for she took her departure in a great hurr}', she raised the siege, to the unspeakable relief of the Flamiwjo folk, and the latter vessel lost no time in setting out for Nassau. Keeping close to the reefs and islands all thc^ way — for the deep-draught cruisers durst not enter these narrow, shallow channels even if they were willing to risk a violation of international law — the blockade- runner, a little before sundown, came safely to her destination, and her first \oyage was successfully accomplished. Nassau, the ca})ital of the Daliamas, situated upon the small island of New Pi'ovidence in the heart of the group, was at this time by far the most important 76 Tl[l<: nLOCKADK-UUNNKIis' KKNDK.ZVOUS. and interesting;" place in tin; West Indies, a pi()Uiini.'nce wliicli it owed entirelv to tlic American war. Being a neutral port of easy access from Wilming- ton, (Charleston, and Savannah, the three principal seats of hlockade-ruiniing enterprise, it liad been chosen as the rendezvous, where the blockade-runners unloaded their cotton and took on the cargoes of manufacture(l articles and " hardware " with which they returned to their beleaguered country. Previous to this the people of Nassau, with few exceptions, had made a precarious and somewhat questionable livelihood by playing the part of wreckers, for which tlio situation of their island in the midst of a labyrinth of tortuous channels and hidden reefs, whereon many a goodly vessel was " piled up " year after year, gave them special advantages. But when, by a freak of fortune, they became go- betweens, exceedingly well paid for making possible the exchano-c of o-oods between the Southern States and Europe, they found their n(!W occupation vastly more proiitable. Just what her peculiar position meant to Nassau may be judged from the fact that Mdiile before the blockade-runners appeared the total of annual imports was less than three hundred thousand pounds, and of Tin: liLOCKADl'MlUNNERS IMONDKZVOUS. 77 ''0- iy of exports less than two liundred tlioiis.and pounds, when the war was at its hei^i;lit the exports rose to over five million pounds, and tlie imports to over four million. This marvellous increase in business of course filled tin; little capital with bustle and with money. It had none of the languor or the lazy, procrastinating ways of the ordinary West Indian city. All was stir, and striving, and reckless profusion. The streets w^ere thronged with men in the prime of life who seemed to be in the highest spirits, whether sober or drunk, and, as may readily be imagined, tlie amount of drinking done was little short of appalling. There were shrewd, hard-headed men whose one idea was to feather their nests, whichever way the war ended ; and there were others who, in the warmth of their enthusiasm for the Southern cause, had put their last farthing into Confederate securities, confident of a cent, per cent, return for their investment. RoUickincf officers of blockade-runners and their drunken, swaggering crews, flinging gold pieces about like pennies, filled the hotels and lodging-houses with uproar, and made easy prey for the sharpers and thieves who had crowded to this rich field of plunder. Northern spies in many disguises mingled with the § 78 THE BLOCKADE-UUNNERS' IlEXDEZVOUS. Til crowd, some moving among the mevcbants and the officers of tlio steamers, others pretending to be boon companions with the men, that they might fhid out th;- movements of the blockade-runners and report them to the Federal cruisers waiting in the offing. Nor had the Southern men the field entirely to themselves. Nassau \vi..i open to the North as well as to the South, and quite frequently a cruiser would come in for supplies, or to confer with the United States consul, who bi'avely stayed at his post, although his position, owing to the tide of sympathy being entirely against the government he represented, was an exceedingly uncomfortable one. Wiien the Flamingo came to anchor, IVIr. Sinclair called Victor and Ernest aside, and said to them, — " Now, boys, for the next few days I'll be so busy that you won't see much of me, and you'll have to look after yourselves. I want you to be very careful where you go and what you do. The place swarms with scoundrels, some of whom wouldn't think twice about knocking you on the head if they thought you had a full pocket. Keep a sharp look-out and a civil tongue all the time you're ashoi-e, and it might T)e just as well to have Rel)us not far ofi' if you're ashore at night. Do you understand me ? " Em THE BLOCKADE-HUNNERS RENDEZVOUS. 79 Oh y es. sir ; wc '11 do as you say cl ioru.so( I the boys, who in tlicir eagerness to sec the place and its sights were quite willing to promise anj^thing. " By the way," i\lr. Sinclair added, " Fitch tells me he knows Nassau pretty well, having been here a conjdc of years ago. He'll take you around, if you ]ike." Victor at this made a wry face, and whispered to Ernest, — " No Fitch for me, if you please." But Mr. Sinclair, having delivered his mind, was already giving his attention to something else, and did not notice how his son received his suu'o-estion. When ho left them, Victor said in a tone of unmis- takable decision, — " Erebus is all rir»'ht ; he can come alonir. JL'it I won't have that fellow Fitch on any terms. ' " I don't see why you're so down on him," Ernest expostulated. "I like him very nuich ; and if he knows all about Nassau, wouldn't it be a cjood thinix to go with him ? " " If you like liim so nuich then," snapped back Victor, a Hush of temper colouring his saHow cheek, "you go with him, and Ell take Rebus." " Oh, come now, Vie," answered Ernest with un- 80 THE BLOCKADE-RUNNERS RENDEZVOUS. ruffled good-lminour, " you needn't fire up like that. I'm not going to split with you for the sake of Fitch, you know that well enough." " Of course I do, Enne." responded Victor with that wonderfid smile which was the chief charm of his otherwise plain countenance ; " but somehow^ that chap Fitch gives me the same kind of feeling as a snake does. I can't say just v/hy." " All right then, Vic, we'll go without him," returned Ernest. " Wc can have a good enough tune by ourselves," The Fhmiingo had anchored at first not far from the lighthouse at the mouth of the harbour, keeping well away from the wharves, as Mr. Sinclair did not want to be overrun with visitors until he was ready for them. Impatient to land, the boys stood on the bridge noting the details of the scene before them — the low- lying, palm-fringed shore, with Its stunted .shrubs, white-walled houses, and dazzling coral sands, all ablaze in the sunshine. They were anmsed Avith the antics of the little silver-fish that kept perpetually leaping an IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ,•>• c. 1 /, V ^?W //a & ^ m Photographic Sciences Corporation % 1^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14S80 (716) 872-4503 f^ 88 THE IJLOCKADE-HUNNERS KENDEZVOUS. peering anxiously througli the gloom in the direction whence the appeal for aid came. Marsden was second engineer on the Fla'mingo — a reckless, roistering sort of fellow, though an excellent officer. " Dat's Massa Marsden, sure," said Erebus, joining the hoys as they stood in some uncertainty as to what to do. " Let's help him," said Ernest impulsively, starting towards the struggling knot of men whence the cries came. Loth to get mixed up in a midnight brawl, as well as apprehensive of some consecpiences to themselves, Victor hung back ; but Erebus saying, " I'm wif you, Massa l^^rnest," and hastening after him, he changed his attitude, and all three hurried to their shipmate's support. As they afterwards learned, Mai-sden, having had a good time in his own way on shore, was returning to the steamer, tacking to port and starboard in a fashion that plainly betrayed how he had been sup- ping not wisely but too well, when he was set upon by a quartette of " beach-combers," as the riff-raff of Nassau were called, who wished to relieve him of any balance of his pay still remaining in his pockets. THE BLOCK ADE-RUNNER8 RENDEZVOUS. 89 ' (! Marsdcn was not so drunk as to take such an aggression meekly, and being a stout fellow, and clover with his fists, had ma(^o a good defence, until a dastardly blow from behind knocked him over ; and it was the cry he had uttered as the scoundrels were throwing themselves upon him that reached the boys' cars. Picking up a bit of a broken oar that his eye lit upon, Erebus, breathing out vengeance on the foot- pads, rushed upon them so quickly and yet so quietly that they had no warning of his approach until his club smote two of them, felling them senseless to the sand. " Take dat ! and dat ! " snorted the ebony giant as he dealt his mighty blows, while Victor and Ernest gazed at him with swelling admiration. Startled by this sudden onset, the beach-combers let go of their intended victim to look after themselves, and at first evidently thought of taking flight. But they saw hurrying towards them several of their fallows who had been attracted by the commotion, and at once they raised a cry of. — " Yanks ! Yanks ! give it to the Yanks ! " Tn the darkness ihey had mistaken the Fhwimgo folk for the Northerners who were so unpopular at Nassau. f» 90 THE BLOCKADE-RUNNERS RENDEZVOUS. Down came the reinforcements, and Erebus had just time to set Marsdcn on liis feet, and put tlie l)roken oar in his liands, before they were witliin strikin«j distance. Here, however, they suddenly halted, and not without good reason. Tliey were confronted by the huge negro, his face blazing with wrath, in his right hand a heavy revolver, and in his left a tfleaminfj knife. The sight was certainly one calculated to make them pause, and, furious as they were at being cheated of their expected prey, they had no ta.ste for either bullet or bowie-knife. " What for you call us Yanks ? " demanded Erebus, takiuix advantafje of their hesitation. " We ain't no such trash," he went on, with fine scorn in his voice. " We come from Charleston, we do, and dat's our steamer, de Flamingo, what's just run de blockade." Realizing that thc^y ha• CHAPTER VI. THE EXCJHANGE TO TTFE " CJllEYHOUND. if MR. SINCLAIR'S expectations as to the sale of liis cotton were more tlian realized. Wliat had cost liini only twopence halfpenny per pound in Charleston was already worth one shilling and six- pence per pound in Liverpool, and he had no difficulty at all in getting one shilling and threepence per pound for it at Nassau. Now the Flamingo's cargo comprised some five hundred hales of the best " Middling Uplands," each bale weighing nearly five hundred pounds. I lis gi-oss profit therefore on the whole amounted to twelve thousand pounds sterling, or sixty thousand dollars. This was very satisfactory indeed, and considering that he stood to make an equal, if not greater, profit on his return cargo, he might well have been supposed to be content. )tit ed I 't TIIK EXCHANGE TO THE " GHEVHOUXD." 93 But suc'li was not the case, as he explained to the boys wlien the tln-ee were sitting together on tlie deck one evening before turning in. He began by asking a question. " Would you be sorry to say good-bj'-e to the old Flamivgo, my boys?" he said, glancing along the deck of the little steamer. " Why, yes," responded Ernest promptly. " You're not going to sell her, are you, uncle ? " " I have some idea of it, Ernie," returned Mr. Sin- clai)-. — " What do you say, Victor ? " " If you can get a better and a bigger steamer in her place, it would be a good thing," answered Victor, whose active ambitious spirit led him to anticipate what his father was about to make known concerning his plans. " I think I can, Victor, and I've about made up my mind to exchancfe," said Mr. Sinclair. " It will take all the profit on this first trip, and more, too ; but I see there's a mint of money to be made in this busi- ness, and there's no time to be lost if it's to be done." " Can you get the other steamer here, uncle ? " inquired Ernest, his regret at parting with the Fla- riiingo yielding to his boyish curiosity concerning the new vessel. 04 Tin: KxciiANcji: to the " greviiouxd. j> "Yes; slio's in port now, and I've got to sny wlietlicr or not ill take her to-morrow morning," responded Mr. Sinelair. " May we go any ^'olly, hut ain't h renmneration of eiaht hundred pounds sterling for the trip to Charleston and back quieted any qualms of conscience. Of course if he were taken by a Federal cruiser it would go very hard with him. He could not ho} e to conceal his being a New Englander, and the authorities Avould show him little mercy. But all this he had taken into account. The eight hundred pounds overweighed every other Tin: EXCHANGE TO THE " GREYHOUXD/' 107 consideration, and he niiglit be trusted to defy or evade capture until his last resource was exhausted. " Good-bye, dear old Flamivgo ! " said Ernest, with a bit of a siiyh, as tlie little steamer went out of si^jht in the dusk. The flickering lamps along the quays, the lights sparkling on the beach, the leaping llames of the beacon at the mouth of the harbour, successively faded away in the rear as the Greyhound passed onward into the darkness. For some hours she skirted the coast, keeping M'ell within the three- mile limit where no cruiser could touch her ; then as midnight drew on, she turned away from the protecting shores, and stood out to sea. CHAPTER VII. THE HUN ACROSS. THE night was as fine as could be desired. A slight heat haze obscured the horizon, but the deep blue vault of heaven shone bright with stars, and the sea beneath, as if not to be outdone in splen- dour, broke into phosphorescent flame at every motion of its waves. Even the keen sense of danger — for, once Abaco Light was left behind, they were in the hunting- ground of the cruisers — did not blind those on board the Greyhound to the beauty of the scene. As the swift steamer, going at her full speed, rushed through the j^'ielding ripples, she bore a crown of fiery foam at her bow, and left a trail of molten gold in her wake. " Isn't this simply glorious ! " exclaimed Ernest, leaning over the bow to watch the glittering wave rolling back on either side like a furrow from a plough. TUE RUN ACROSS. 109 ¥ "The Flamingo never could go through the water like this. I hope some cruiser will chase us ; it'll be such fun running away from him." " Don't be too cocky, my boy," said Mctor. " There iiiiiy be cruisers a.s fast as this steamer, although the pilot says he's never heard of any ; and then, you know, one shot from one of those big Parrot guns might end the business for us — especially if it hit us where the enuines are. " Oh, of course it would be better to escape the cruisers altogether ! " Ernest returned, " but I suppose tliere's little chance of our doing that ; there's so many of them between here and Charleston." The night passed without any ship being sighted, but soon after dawn the look-out reported one to windward, and the Greyhound's course was changed so as to give it a wide berth. Swift as his vessel w^as, Mr. Sinclair would take no risks. No doubt many of the steamers reported from the crow's-nest were harndess enough ; some of them, probably, were blockade-runners themselves, and valuable information might have been obtained by hailing them. But all alike were carefully avoided, the Greyhound dodging and doubling on her course in a way that 110 Till': RUN ACROSS. would have snijfcjcsfcod an intoxicutcd stocrsnifin to a spectator i<^morant of the reasons for tins eniions con- duct ; now stopping altofjetlior to lot some dangerous- looking steamer pass on ahead, and again doubling right back npon the way she had come as if intentl- ing to return to Nassau. Tinder Hank Thayer's skilful nianagoment the blockade-runner not only went without a challenu'c tliroughout the dav, but even succeeded in making good progress towards her destination. It was of course intensely exciting for those on board. Mr. Sinclair had laid in a liberal supply of telescopes and binoculars, and aided by these the oc- cupants of the bridge and after-deck were constantly scanning the waste of water. No vessel could possibly approach from any quarter without being discovered before her hull rose above the horizon. The sun sank behind a bank of fog that showed up dimly on the western verge, and shortly after sunset the wind fell until there was a perfect calm. " I'd as lief the breeze had stayed and the fog hadn't come," said the pilot, with a manifest deepening of the anxious expression which his well-bronzed face had worn all dav. " Why, don't you think the fog will be a great Tin: RUN AUKOSS. Ill \' iidvaiitago to lis?" responded Mr, Sinclnir in some sur- pi'iso. "It'll prevent our l)ein_n" '^•'♦"'^ ^'V tlio cruisers, you know." " You're right enou^li tliere, sir," returned the pilot. " But you've got to take into recount the fact tliat the Kaiue fog will prevent our seeing tlie cruiser's ; and bein' as it is, I'd a hig sight sooner have a clear night, and trust to keepin' a smart look-out." The accuracy of Hank Thayer's view was soon established. On through the shadowy silence rushed the Greyhound, the enshrouding fog and the cool night air havinu" sent all below save those "who were on duty. It was not the wisest kind of seamanship this driv- ing at full speed through a fog, but neither captain nor pilot could take that into account. They were making a good course for Charleston, thanks to hav- ing no cruisers to dodge, and every hour of full speed was precious. Suddenly there sprang out of the heavy gloom ahead a huge phantom shape that seemed to tower up right in the Greyhound's path. With a half-smothered shout of alarm tl"*" pilot put the helm hard a-port, and signalled to the engine- room for the wheels to be reversed. 112 Till-: llUN ACROSS. " Oh," ciiod Mr. Sinclair, " we've run right into her chitclies ! " At the same moment a stentorian cliallenge came from tlic cruiser : — " Wluit sliip 's that ? Heave to at once, or I'll fm; on you ! " Not the length of a pistol-shot separated th(; two vessels. A shell from a Parrot gun at that distance would make short work of the blockade-runner. The pilot turned to Mr. Sinclair, his ruggcil features set in an expression of stern determination, while a strange light flashed in his deep - set eyes. " Just leave the Greyhound to me, sir, and don't ask any questions. We've got one good chance any- way," he said. Mr. Sinclair put out his hand and grasped Hank's thorny fist. " I've perfect confidence in you ; do your best." " Full stop there below ! " was the order that went to the engine-room, and in obedience to it the paddle- wheels ceased to revolve. In the meantime those who had gone below for the night came tumbling up on deck, among them Victor and Ernest only half dressed, and much bewildered by TUK RUN ACROSS. 113 vH ilc- he tor tho sudden awakening from tlio sound slocp tlioy luid K'lii oiijoying. " Wliat's tlio matter ? " cried Ernest as he eland jorcd up tlie .steps of tlu; bridge, holding his trousers on witli one hand and rubbing Ids eyes with the other. For answer, Mr. Sinelair pointed silently to the great hull of the cruiser showing dimly through tlio gloom, Oi. winch lights were now flashing, and from which the sound of the boats beinc: lowered could be plainly heard. " Oh, we're captured ! " groaned Ernest, his lieart sinkinfj at the ominous sijiht. " What will we do ? " " We're not captured yet," cried Victor with great spirit. " Why don't we try to get away ? Tell them to put on full steam, father ; that cruiser couldn't catch us." Mr. Sinclair shook his head. " Keep quiet, Vic. The pilot's the man to give ord'^rs now. He'll do the best he can for us, you may be sure." " But, father," persisted Victor, his face glowing with indin-nation at what seemed to him so tame a surrender, " why can't we tjy to get away at least ? " Silas Fitch was standing near with a very curious expression on his sallow countenance. It was not one of alarm, nor even of concern, but of anxious cager- (5.-.S) 8 lU TlfE RUN ACROSS. ness, as thoiiri-h .soincthinu' which he wished fxreatlv to happen miglit not take place. " They'd knock us to pieces with tlieir l)ig guns if we tried to escape now," said he. "It's too had we couhhi't see her in time to cret out of iier way." There was a contemptuous curl on Victor's lips as, without looking at Fitch, ho replied, — " I'd rather take my chances of them doing that than mvc in at once like this." In the meantime the boats were beinof lowered from the cruiser, and coming" toward the blockade- runner Two w^re sent off, each containing a dozen men. The pilot watched them witli clinched teeth and gleaming eyes. He had not s]ioken since his last order to the engineer. The boats came swiftly on, the men in them laugh- inu: boisterously with one another over their irood luck. The takinij' of a well-loai. jil blockade-runner meant lots of prize-money, and they had good reason to bo jubilant. By dexterous management Hank Thayer h;id brought the GreyUownd into such a position that she was right astern of the cruiser, and the two vessels were stern to stern. In almost unbroken silence those on board the THE RUN ACROSS. ll;j lasG had she sels Mockadc-niiincr awaited the approach of these boats. Mr. Sinclair had not altog;>tli('r tli-spaired of escape licin:4" cH'ected somehow, yet lie had no idea wliat tlie pilot's plan mii^ht ])e. As silent and stern as the sphinx, the pilot stood on the bridge beside the bhmacle, while the boats came dancing over the water until they were more than half-way across the space separating the two steamers. Then Hank Thayer's face lit up, and Ids hitherto impassive frame became instinct with action. "Full speed ahead!" ho roared down the tnbe to the engine-room. Instantly the order was obeyed. The great wheels began to beat the water furiously, as though eager to make up for their inaction; the swift steamer pi'omptly responded ; and before the commander of the cruiser could realize the situation, the Grcyhuuiul was dis- appearing in the darkness. A red ilash and a heavy report bespoke his indig- nation at this unexpected ruse ; lait he could only bring his small mms at the stei-n to bear until he wore ship, and by that time the fog had once more enveloped the GrcyhoitiKj, so that fui-ther firing would have been only a foolish waste of powder. 116 THE RUN ACROSS. " Ah, that was magnificent ! " cried Mr. Sinclair, giving the pilot a sounding clap on his broad shoulders, " I had not the least notion what you were driving at, but I see it all now. You shall have twenty pounds extra for that, Hank." The pilot allowed his grim features to relax into an expression of gratified pride. He had been pleased at his employer's faith in him, and the brilliant success of his stratagem filled him with satisfaction. " They couldn't very well leave their own boats, ye see," he said, waiving all reference to Mr. Sinclair's praise and promised reward. " I knew I had them there, and the thinij was to ijet this steamer astern of the cruiser so that they couldn't let fly a broadside at us when we started ahead." His face glowing with triumph, Victor turned to say something to Fitch, but he had disappeared. Ho had no desire that the others should know how ho took the clever escape from the cruiser's clutches, and had gone to the stern to relieve his feelings in some strong: lanufuao-o addressed to the steamer's wake. Victor then Avcnt up to the pilot, and holding out his hand, said gracefully, — • " I want to apologize for thinking that you were THE RUN ACROSS. 117 going to let us be taken without trying to get away. ril know better next time." " That's all right, my lad," responded Hank, giving him a hearty grip that made him wince. " Ye see, it don't do to prophesy unless ye know ; and I didn't want to give my little dodge away until I knew just how it was goin' to take. You may jest l)ank on this — that Hank Thayer's not going to get into the grip of those Northerners so long as there's the smallest kind of a crack for him to creep through." There was not much more sleep for anybody on hoard the blockade-runner that night. The boys, after a while, went back to their bunks, and did ultimately succeed in getting a nap before breakfast ; but the men were too excited by the brush v.'ith the cruiser to settle down, especially as no one knew when another of the enemy miglit put in an appearance. By morning the fog Iiad entirely disappeared, and the day was bright and clear. Wlien the pilot took his reckoning, he was a good deal pertui'bcd to find that they were much nearer their destination than he had imagined or intended. In fact, a few more hours' steaming would bring the Greyhound right into the midst of tne cord(jn of cruisers guarding Charleston Harbour. 118 THE JIUN A( IIOSS. It seemed tliat lie liad allowed a luiicli wiut Ik; Avas willini'" to risk tliem for the sake of the rich O reward that would be his if tho Greyhound were captured ; for, in truth, ho was a Northern spy, and had all the time fully n km; ted the dislike and sus- picion which the discor.niiig Victor had entertained towards him. So silently had Erebus shadowed him that ho knew nothing of his proximity until the moment after he sent the signal. Then, just as, exulting at having done his work, and conoTatulatinu' himself that no one on board knew of SAFE INTO PORT. 127 he y it, lit' dropped tlio lantern over tlic sido, Ik; felt llif iiiiLi'lity Jiriiis of tlic lui^jfc n(\c,'r() uround liini. '■ W'liJit do you moan ;* lict nir "o, will you ?" ho hissL'd, putting- forth all Ins str('nL;th to freo himself. " T dono saw yon," ]nss('(l hnok I'irchus. " Tse ^^ot you, and I won't let you ^o." In their lierco stru'u^LcliiV^' they stund>le(l over a hit of chfiin hiuLT on tho deck, and in trvinLT to recover his lialanco Erebus lo«)sened Ins i^rip for an instant. Seizing tliis advantn,i;'e, 1^'ltcli struck liim a cruel hlow hetween tho eyes and ]»roko away from Inm. Instantly, liowover, Erehns was aftei' him {iL;ain, and in attempting to evado his onset Fitch sprang on to the Ijuhvark, intending to leap down again past his wouM-he captor. ]jut liis i-ight foot failed liim, and just as tho negro's great hands wei-o ahout to grasp him, he went over sideways into tlie foanu'nir water, uttering as lie fell thi; cry that had so startlingly hroken tho silence on shipl»oar«l. There was no time to see as to his fate. Jjtd'oro tho facts could he explained to Mr. Sinclair, tho (nryhound had sliot ahead a long way ; and more- over. Fitch's signal having been seen on lioard the flagship, the flash and report of a gun told that the crisis had come. ■«s ■ 12-ht at the barrier of boiling- surf charged the good steamer. Now she is in its midst, and it is secthinij- and hissinix all about her. " Will she strike ? or is there plenty of water for her ? " is the question that thrills ^Ir. Sinclair as he looks over the side into the -wild confusion of waters. To o-round there risjht within ranj^e of the cruisers, and with the tide about to fall, could mean but one tliinii*. But such was not to be the Grei/hound's sorrowful fate this time. As straight and true as a well-aimed ari'ow she shot through the smother of brine and sand, and a shout of joyous triumph, led by Mr. Sinclair, Went up from her excited men as she left the breakers behind to enter the smooth water of the Ship Cliannel. All danger was over now. They could afibrd to laugh and talk without restraint, and they felt very nuich like huo-o-ino- one another in the exuberance of their relief and delight. As the first rays of the rising sun fell upon her grey sides,, the blockade-runner made her way past (558) 9 180 SAFE INTO PORT. Morris Island with its lonii" Lanks of sand-baGf batteries, which were duly sahited, and around Cumniins-s Point into Charleston harbour. Mr. Sinclair had ordered out all the bunting the short masts could accommodate, and the Greyhound looked very gviy indeed, attracting much attention from the garrisons of the city's defences. They all understood what she had done, and rejoiced in hti- success. Up through the yellow flood, now fast running sea- ward, past solid old Fort Sumter, pitted with shot- marks like the face of a man who has had small-pox, leaving Foi-t Johnson on the left, and Castle Pinckney's great round bulk on the right, the blockade-runner, with whistles blowinix, flags liyini!,' and evervbody on board shouting at the top of their voices, drew in to the wdiarf, and her venturesome voyage was ended. Her coming had already been announced by tele- graph from Morris Island, and the wharves of Jolm Sinclair's Sons were crowded with a concourse of expectant people — men, women, and childrini ; soldiers, citizens, and negroes — all cheerino- and shouting and laughing just as if they were personally interested in the success of the enterprise. Among the tlirong were many members of the two SAFE INTO IH)11T. 131 ic'le- lolin of Sinclair families, and, the way having been cleared for thein to come on board, tliere ensued snch a round of embraeinu' and kissiuij; as Victor and Ernest had never been throiiiih in their lives before. There was nothing to mar the joyousness of the occasion. All had gone well with the dear ones at liome, and news had recently been received from Colonel Sinclair that nothing was amiss with him, and tliat he might be expected homo soon on a brief furlough. They could therefore give themselves up without reservation to the rejoicings of the hour. The Grc'i/hound was unanimously voted the thiest and fastest blockade-runner yet seen, and Mr. Sinclaii- received unstinted praise for his enterprise. As for the proceeds of the cargo, even though he was too patriotic and kind of heart to liold out for the prices he might have obtained, the profits ranged from three hundred to eight hundred per cent. Flannel shirts, whose wholesale price in Manchester was five shillings apiece, went off like hot cakes for as many dollars ; heavy boots whicli cost ten shillintjs a pair brought twelve dollars ; revolvers bought at two pounds each were snapped up at fifty dollars ; while the blankets and "hai-dwarc" commanded the higliest figures of all, being purchased en hloc by the 132 SAFi: INTO PORT. Confederate Government. In fact, tlie total profits realized after payment of all expenses were sufficient to pay otr the balance due upon the Greyhound, pur- chase a fresh car^i^o of cotton, and leave a handsome surplus, which ]\Ir. Sinclair proposed to remit to his correspondents in England for safe-keeping. Victor and Ernest were jjreat heroes anions: the boys of the city, not one of wliom but deeply envied them their exciting experiences, of which they had to tell the story again and again. Ernest quite enjoyed this. His tongue ran merrily all day long, and the eager questions asked of him were answered in full detail. But Mctor soon wearied of the role of raconteur. " Oh, go and ask Ernie," he would say, in a tone of profound boredom ; " he'll tell you all about it. He thinks it's fun, but I don't." Once when Ernie expressed some pity for Silas Fitch, and wondered if he had been drowned, or had perhaps succeeded in swimming to the cruiser, Victor flared out at him in a way that quite startled hiiu and the rest of the little group of listeners. " You don't know what you're talkinc: about," he shouted, his eyes flashing and his slender frame quivering with passion. " The worst death in the SAFE INTO PORT. Iti'^ "1 le ■aine the h^. ila.s 1 had ctor hull world would hi' too good for such ft villain. I hope 1k' was torn to pieces hy sharks. ])idn't I say over and over again that he should never have hccn allowed on board, hut nobody would listen to nie ? " Instead of findincj satisfaction in beinij able to say, " I told you so," when Fitch's treaclicry liad been discovered, Victor's wrath continued to burn, because all his warnings, now proven to be well founded, liad irone unheeded. "Just to thiidc of that scoundrel bcincj one of our- selvt'S for so long!" he exclaimed hotly to his fatlier. '• If he hadn't got away from us as he did, he ought to have been given the lash first and afterwards shot." " Oh, let him go, Vic," replied Mr. Sinclair, smiling indulgently at his boy's vehemence. " He didn't do us any harm after all, and he's paid for his villany with his life. We must be very careful, however, that no others of the same stripe get on board the GrcjjhouMd." So soon as the first confusion and rush of business had passed, Mr. Sinclair one evening gathered the two families toi^ether at his residence, invitinr"" also the CI? ^ ^ chief officers of the blockade-runner. When all had assembled and o-reetin^rs had been exchanged, Erebus was sent for. 134 SAFK INTO PORT. The liiigo fellow came attired in a brand-new suit of clothes, and looking very conscious and ill at case. He had not the sliijlitest inklinnr of what was to take place, nor had anybody else, for that matter, save the master of the house. From the markedly benevolent smile which Mr. Sinclair wore, however, it mioht be surmisrd M "^, some pleasant function was in con- templation. Erei'Lis "'"ivii , Made his best bow, stood just inside Tie door, chant>incr his weio-ht from one foot to the other, and fin<2erinL>- his hat witli the restlessness characteristic of his race. " Erebus," said l\Ir. Sinclair, in a tone that conveyed no hint of his meaning in asking the question, " have I always been a good master to you ? " " De Lord bless you, you liab, massa," responded the negro with fervent sincerity ; " de berry best massa in all the Souf," and he rolled his ixreat eves and flashed his snowy teeth in support of his assertion, while a puzzled, anxious look came over his sable features. " Would you like to leave my service, Erebus ? " Mr. Sinclair asked again, his countenance continuing inscrutable, although every eye in the room was fixed upon him in wonder and curiosity. ■tan ■i SAFE INTO PORT. 135 The cfTect of this (juostion upon the giant uas startling. His great face filled with apprehension, his eyes threatened to start from their sockets, and rushinu' forward ho threw himself on the floor before his master, crying in a voice broken with passionate fear, — " massa, good kind massa ! surely you're not a-Gfoinii' to sell Ert>bus ? " A deep murmur of indignation filled the room, and several members of his own family made as though tlicy would protest against any such treatment of the favourite slave. But ]\[r. Sinclair with a wave of his hand commanded silence. " Get up, Erebus," ho said kindly ; " I said nothing about selling you." Then, considering that he had kept his secret long enough, ho went on : " I sent for you to-night, Erebus, not to sell you but to give you your freedom. You have won it fairly by faithful service since wo left here in the Flumiiifjo. ITere are your papers. In the presence of these people, who are all your friends, I declare you my slave no longer." Tlie face of the negro while his master was speaking thus presented a curious study. Surprise, incredulity, nnrl deep concern succeeded one another in the play \m wAFH jXTo I'oirr. of liis features ; and wlu-ii Mr. Sinclair had concluded, and held out tlic papers toward liiin, he put Ids hands behmd his hack, saying in a voice that was little more than a wdiisper, — " Does you mean, IMassa Sinclair, that you's not a-going to keep me any moah ? " " That's entirely for yourself to say, Erebus," an- swered IMr. Sinclair, smiling. "I will, of course, he very glad for you to continue in my service at fair wages, hut you are not bound to do so ; you can engage M'ith wdiom you please." The shadows vanished from Erebus' countenance. It was all clear to him now. " Just please keep dem dere papers, Massa Sinclair," he said ; " I doan't want dem now. I'm going to stay wid you so long as you'll let me, and I doan't want no wages. Mr. Sinclair laughed out heartily. " Of course you can stay with me, Erebus — 111 be only too glad to retain you in my employ — but you must let me pay you wages, all the same. I can't have you work for me for nothing." The others now crowded about the negro to offer their congratulations upon his receiving his freedom. He was evidently still somewhat bewildered at what s.vri: INTO I 'OUT. 187 i1 f..ii « liml taken placo, luit, upoji tlio whole, seemed con- sidcraVtly elated, and presently went away to spread tlie news among the " quarters," wliere he knew it ^v()uld excite lively interest and envy. "He'll never leave me so loni; as there's a breath left in his big' body," said Mr. Sinclair when the negro had gone. " He's always felt himself to be a part of the family, and giving him his freedom won't make tlie slightest difference." Victor and Ernest were extremely pleased at Erebus' good fortune. They thought tlie reward fully deserved, and in no wise grudged the loss of authority that it entailed. They were both very busy now assisting Mr. Sinclair in the office work connected with the disposal of the cargoes. Victor took kindly to this ; he had a good head for figures, and easily mastered details. But Ernest thought it all an awful bore. For accounts and invoices, ledgers and journals, he cherished a cordial aversion. The confinement of the oflice was irksome to him, and he seized every excuse for being down on the wharf, where the Greyhound was a centre of continuous bustle. The inward cargo had just been cleared out, and preparations were begun for putting in the cotton, 138 SAFF. INTO F'Oirr. whoii a report came from tlie ]\lorns Island batteries that suspended all operations for the time. It was to the effect that the Federal fleet ofF the harljoiir had been strengthened by the adne(l his two koenest-siij;hte(l oflic(>rs with glasses, one of them on each paddle-box, directiii!:,' them to ivport the iiistaiii they lost sin'lit of the cruiser in the ii'rowini; darkness. The followiiig minutes were of such intense, throb- bing anxiety as happily does not conic often in a lif(^time. Not a word was uttered on board the Gr< i/lnnind. The race now was not so nuich between the two vessrls as between the Federal ship and the growiiiL;" darkness. Cilaining on his quarry as he undoubtedly was, yet, at the same time, his great black hull became more and more diflicult to discern. No longer was the big bone in the mouth to be made out. And now a siuldcn flash leaped out from his bow, and a heavy i-eport told that he thouglit he was get- tinrf within strikinu' distance. The shot was well aimed, but fell short. Five minutes more, however, and the Greyhound would be well within range. 1)11 ■I't r.o :() on lit ,'S,S. lie 'Cll no lol'O im low ."11 -er, A h t it -ch ISC,/ />v a /■! 'I, y.tt l'.l„'l. v^i. d ■\ CHAPTER XL NASSAU ONCE MOllE. THE engineer had been directed to make as Mack a smoke as possible, and to bt; in readiness to cut it oti' instantly by closing the dampers M'lien so ordered. Another few minutes of agonizing suspense, and tlien at the same moment the two officers on the paddle-boxes called out, — " We've lost sight of him ! " A dense volume of smoke was streaming far in the U I'c ijhound' 6 wake. " Close the dampers," Mi". Sinclair shouted through the speaking-tube. Hard a-starboard the pilot put the helm simulta- neously. The blockade-runner's course was altered eight points, and away she went at a right angle to her previous one ; while the cruiser, innocently following 170 NASSAU ONCE MORE. up the smoke, did not wake up to tho trick played liiiii until £urth( •suit out of til question. '■ Thank God for the darkness ! " ejaculated Mr. Sin- clair fervently, as they gathered on the bridge to re- ioice together ovjr their deliverance. " I was afraid some of us ^^'ere j^oinu' to see the inside of Foil Warren before the end of tho Uionth. They must be feeling pretty sore on board the cruiser ; but there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip." It was well indeed for the Grt'i/hovnd that no furtiier pressure had to l)e put upon her that night, for so hard had tlie engineers been firing that tlie very plaid^s on the bridge became scorching hot ; and when the danger was over, all but the pilot were glad to get away from there to cool their wellnigh l)lis- tered feet. Thanks to the cruiser having come up astern, the blockade-ruinier lost no ground in getting away from him, except for the diversion from her course when giving him tho slip, and consequently the dav/n of day found her more than two-thirds of the M'ay to Nassau. Barring mishap, it was quite possible to reach Nassau before night in spite of tho difficult}' witli the coal. The day passed quite uneventfully. Several ships f o-lad hlis- 11, the from Avhen i' dav assail. i'(\at'li with ship'^ I NxVHSAU ONCE MORE. 171 were sio'htod, ifc is tnio, and Ernest and Victor liad a lively arguiiiont over the character of one of theni — Ernest being positive that it was a cruiser, Mliilc Victor maintained that it was only an ordinary iiiercliant steamer. But tliei-e was no threat of cliase, anil they were all getting to feel very easy in the mind, when, just as they came within the spliero of ihu Lahama iJanks, a big vessel, of whose character there could be little doubt, put in an appearance. ]\lr. Sinclair was inclined to make light of the cruiser's presence. The Bahamas M'cre full in sight ahead, and it was only necessary to run in within a league of their shores to put any number of cruisers at defiance. But Hank Thayer took a more serious view. " ThercVs a scant twelve feet of water over most of the banks," said he gravely, "and we're drawing full I'leven, without taking into account them ugly cus- tomers," pointing out on a chart a multitude of little lilack dots which showed where the dangerous coral heads wqyq nearly awash. "'\V(dl, and what of it ? " asked Mv. Sinclair, some- what impatiently, for ht- did not catch the di'ift of the pilot's reasoning. " Just this, sir," replied Thayer quietly. *' If we 172 NASSAU ONCE MORE. keep in too close, some of tlieiii points '11 be going througli our hull ; and it' wo keep out too far, the cruiser '11 snap us up. We're in a pretty tight place, J sir, and no mistake." " liJetween fScylla and Charybdis, so to speak," said Ml". Sinclair bitterly. " Well, if I've got to choose between running the Greijhoitnd ashore and letting her fall into the hands of those Yankees off there, it won't take me long to decide." The situation certainly was a strange one. Hardly a breath of wind stirred the hot air, which ""vas a most fortunate circumstance, by the way. Far ahead stretched the Bahama Banks as smooth as a lake, and showing almost milk- while, save where dotted here and there by the black spots that spoke of coral reefs^ whose jagged heads would pierce the iron plates of the Grei/ltuiind as if they were merely pasteboard. Had there been a brisk breeze blowing, these peril- ous places would have been invisible; but in the timely calm they could be readily made out by the man at the mast-head, and reported in time to give them a wide berth. Out beyond the shallo^\' water was txie cruiser, her deep draught making a nearer approach impracticable. " Just wouldn't they like to run in on us, Ernie," NASSAU ONCE MORE. 173 said Victor, as the boys shidiod the big sbi}) thron<:,di [ardly I most ahead e, and I hero reefs, es of 1. ■)eril- imely an at lem a ;r, her jcablc. , • )) .rnie, th eir a'lasse.s If it wasn't for the reef; s, perhaps they'd try it anyway in spite of tlie law I'm olad we've oot both the reefs and the law in t? om' favour," laughed Ernest ; " one of them might not be enough by itself." It was cautious, careful navigation, that calle ^ for t]>c utmost skill on the part of the pilot. The Grey- hound moved forward £\,t no more than half-speed, and even this was slackened when a " trade " cloud would for a time obscure the sun. " Better be sure than sorry, sir," Thayer answered Mr. Sinclair, when the latter asked if they could not hurr}^ up a I)it. The sight of the grim cruiser watching silently but remorselessly made him nervous. He felt as if it would be better to make a dash for Nassau at the hazard of striking the coral, than to be creeping alonj^ thus slowly with the cliance of the Northerners |)lucking up courage to defy the law. and take the prize so temptingly within I'each. At last the time came when tlu' blue water showed up ahead, and it was necessary t<» make a dash across the open sea to Nassau. Then did the excitement on l)oard the blockade- 174 NASSAU ONCE MORE. II' runner rise to i'ever pitch. By virtue of licr position she had a good lead of the cruiser; hut if the hitter were as fast a vessel as the one they had just escaped from, this advantai^^e woukl soon he lost. Not more than twelve knots an hour could he got out of the wretched Carolina coal, and the cotton and turpentine could hardly he again tried. " We've got to cut and run for it now, sir," said Thayer, looking very grave ; " and they'll be sure to try and wing us if they can." " How long l:)efore we 2:et within the neutral limit aofain ? " asked Mr. Sinclair anxiously. " We can do it hi an hour if all goes well," answered the pilot. With her engines once more working up to their highest notch, the Greyhound tore through the water towards New Providence, tin; island upon which Nassau stood, whose form could just be made out rising above the horizon. Compelled by the coi'al banks to make a wide circuit before taking up the chase, tlie cruiser was full three miles astern by the time he had got into line. " He won't make that up inside of less than an hour," said Thayer, witli a somewhat more cheerful expression of countenance. NASSAU ONCE MORE. 175 said sure ^heir water rliicli out wide IS full ine. vn an eert'ul " And by tliat time we'll be within liail of the island, eh ? " asked Mr Sinclair. " That's what I calculate," responded the pilot. " But we mustn't crow too soon." They were getting so used to being chased now, that the intensity of excitement was aljating some- what ; yet they were all anxious enough on board tho Greyhound as the big cruiser camo resolutely after them. The water being amply deep for anything afloat, there was no need to continue the look-out i' jr coral heads. The one thing to be done was to reach the safe security of the neutral limit as soon as possible. " He doesn't seem to be gaining on us, does ho ? " said Ernest, wdio always took a sanguine view of things. " I've been watching carefully, and I don't think he is." " Well, I do," responded N'ictor, whose keen eyes had been noting how surely though gradually the pursuer was growing more distinct. " You couldn't make out anything but just tlu' liull a little while ago, and now you can see his bow-guns. He'll likely be firino: one of them at ns before long." " That's so," replied Ernest, in a tone of sorrowful conviction. " What a pity something doesnt happen 17G NASSAU ONCE MORE. to liis machinery so tlicat licM luivo to pull up short ! " Witli alarming speed the cruiser fifaincd, and when little more than a mile separated the two vessels, he opened tire with his l)OW-chasers. The first shot fell short, the second and third went to port and star- board. " He's getting our range," said Mr. Sinclair. " The next ball will no doubt winq; us." Happily his prediction was not fulfdled. The heavy shot went whistling over the blockade-runner, dropping into tlie sea beyond with a signiticant splash. In the meantime the island of New Providence was drawing steadily nearer, and presently the whitening of the water o-ave warnincj of shallower soundino-s. The look-out was again sent to the crow's-nest, and a leadsman posted in the fore-chains with orders to ply his lead without pause. " Aha ! he's c^ettino- scared of the shallow water," exclaimed the pilot exultantly, pointing to the cruiser, who was now changing his course so as to r ui par- allel with the Greyhound instead of astern. " Doubt- less he draws five feet more water than wo do, and can't afford to take anv chances." \ NASSAU ONCE MOKE. 177 np 31-8 to [atcr," Kiiscr, pav- ioubt- and But if tlio man-of-war dare not take cliances, liis quarry would. Tlie nearer slie ran to the danger of striking a jagged coral liead, the fartlier she wouhl bo from the peril of capture, and of the two Mr. Sinclair distinctly preferred the former. " Keep in as close as you can, Thayer," was his instruction to the pilot ; and so with destruction threatening to right and left, the doughty Grcyliound kept on at top speed. Their haven of refuge was now well in sight, and already they were beginning to yield to the elation of another escape, when a sudden shock sent a thrill of horror through every heart. With a o-rinding' crash whose sinister significance could not be mistaken, the blockade -runner struck full upon an unnoticed point of coral, and came to a sudden stop. " Full speed astern ! " shouted the pilot down the speaking-tube. Instantly the big paddle-wheels began to churn the water violently, so that the whole frame of the steamer trembled with their vibrations. But the bow did not budge from the reef upon which it was impaled. " We're done for now," groaned Ernest, in a tone of (m) 12 178 NASSAU ONCE MORE. utter dospair. " Tliey've only got to come on and take us." " Not a bit of it," responded Victor stoutly, his eyes Hashing' defiance at the cruiser, which began to slow up the moment the Greyhound's misfortune was observed. " They've not got us yet. Don't you be too down in the mouth." " All hands to work to shift cargo astern," called out the pilot ; and soon with feverish haste every one but those at the engines set to work to carry the cotton, and whatever else might bo moved, down to the stern, which was soon piled as high as it could hold. While they were doing this, two large boats filled with men were seen to leave the cruiser and come hurrying towards them, impelled by a dozen brawny oarsmen apiece. The Greyhound was still a scant half-mile outside the neutral limit, and therefore liable to capture. " Now then," commanded Hank Thayer, when every- thing possible had Ijeen shifted astern, " look sharp, all of ye, and make her rock all you know how." By moving rapidly in a body from side to side, they made the Greyhound rock until her bulwarks almost dipped, and at the same time the paddle- NASSAU ONCE MOm-]. 170 wliecls kept pouiidiiiL;' away i'urioiisly at the foaming itsido ivery- ;harp, side, ivarks iiddle- S brine. It was a time of tliiilli ixietv. The hoats ine 01 inninni!" anxieiv. ine u( were rapidly (h'awing near. Ten nnnutes more at the farthest, and tliey would be alongside. Aha! the (iirylioii nd seems to move! But is it only to settle more firndy upon tlu^ cruel coral, or to free herself from its merciless gr^sp ? , " She's backing ! " crietl Thayer, his sternly-set face suddenly becominix radiant. "Now she's off'!" He was right. The cond)ined action of the paddles and of the vigorous rocking, added to the lightening of the bow, had succeeded, and once more the Greylumnd was floating in clear water. Ordering the engines full speed ahead, the pilot sheered off toward the shore, for to have steered the other Avay would have been to fall into the hands of the approaching Northerners. " We must take our chances of striking something else, sir," he said to Mr. Sinclair, who nodded assent. With a tauntinii' cheer to the men in the boats, whose undisguised chagrin made the boys laugh heartily, the blockade-runner slipped away from tliem, and by great good luck reached the harbour of Nassau without further mishap. rMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 I- 1^ 1113.2 2.5 22 2.0 ♦ asr, U ill 1.6 ^ 'C'l <$>. ///. W Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 i/x ^ ^ Ci'^ i ^ .<'■ 180 NASSAU ONCE 3I0RE. There was, of course, some water in the hoM, but not cnougli to cause any alarm, tlie pumps proving quite equal to mastering it. Everybody on board was glad to see Nassau again. To Mr. Sinclair their safe arrival meant a profit of scores of tliousands of dollars ; to his men, pockets full of pay, and a chance to carouse to their heai'ts' content; and to Victor and Ernest, relief from tho restraints and anxieties of shipboard, and freedom to roam about accordiuij: to their inclinations. One of the first things to be done was to ascertain the amount of injury sustained by the Greyhound. The cotton was accordingly got out of her with all haste, and on an examination being made it was found that several plates in the bow had been stove in, and cracked so that it would be necessary to replace them. Now this meant a delay of some weeks, the facilities for such work at Nassau being very in- adequate, and Mr. Sinclair did not at all like the idea of the bovs knockinfj about such a sink of vice and iniquity as the IJahama capital then was with no occupation to keep them out of mischief. After some cogitation over the matter, he called the boys to him one morning and asked them, — NASSAU ONCE MORE. 181 :s. tbc called " How would you like to take a trip to Cuba while we're waiting here to have the steamer fixed up ? " As with one breath Victor and Ernest answered, — " Tip-top ! Do you really mean it ? " " Yes, I mean it," responded Mr. Sinclair. " Nassau doesn't seem to me a particularly good place for boys just now, and I've been making some inquiries as to what you might do. I find there's a fine packet schooner that plies between here and some of the Cuban ports, making tlui round trip inside of a month, and it occurred to me that you couldn't do lietter than ij^o with her. You'd see a fjood deal of the islands, and have a pretty fair time of it. You can take Erebus with you." The plan approved itself to both boys instantly. They were already weary of Nassau, and the notion of a sailing trip to Cuba, the great island of which they had heanl so much but never seen, was entirely according to their mind. " Why, that's perfectly splendid ! " exclaimed Ernest, always the first to speak. " We'll <'njoy it immensely; won't we, Vic ? " "Of course we shall," said Victor, in his own calm way.- — " And I am glad you can let us have Erebus ; he's sure to be very useful to us." 182 NASSAU ONCE MORE. The schooner was to sail on the following day, and with hearts full of joyful expectation the boys made their preparations for the trip. They found the Saucy Kate, as the schooner was called, a well-built, handsome craft of one hundred and fifty tons burden, with a roomy cabin, in which they had a snug state-room with two berths. The captain and the first and second mate were bluff Britishers ; but the crew, numbering six in all, was a queer mixture of nationalities, and not par- ticularly prepossessing. Upon the whole, however, Mr. Sinclair felt quite at ease in his mind as to sending the boys off under such auspices ; M'hile they, with well-filled purses and tightly-packed portmanteaus, were in high feather, and impatient to start. The Saucy Kates first port of call was to be Cardenas, on the north side of Cuba ; and with a light though favouring breeze she set out upon her voyage, Mr. Sinclair waving farewells to the boys until they were no longer in sight. The run across the Bahama Banks was altoofether delightful. Tlie wind was very variable, sometimes freshening into a moderate breeze, and again dying away into a calm. NASSAU ONCE MORE. las But nobody minded much whether ^Eohis worked or idled. There was no hurry. On board were fresh meat, fowls, and ice in abundance. Delicious iisli only waited for the hook in order to present themselves for the frying-pan : and with plenty to oat, and nothing to do in the midst of the marine paradise, who could not be content ? Erebus was in his glory. A true child of the tropics, the heat that made the white men lazy only inspired him with energy. A favourite amusement of his was to dive for the conchs which made such capital soup. In these transparent waters the smallest object could be distinctly seen at a depth of three or four fathoms. When the schooner was becalmed or run- ning very slow, Erebus, M'caring nothing but a pair of thin cotton drawers, would take his station at the bow watching intently for his prize. Sighting a cluster of conchs he would go over- board like an arrow, and diving down to the shells, seize one and sometimes two, returning with them to the surface, and pitching them on board before climbing up by the rope thrown to him l)y a sailor. So expert was he at this, and so thoroughly at 1 184 NASSAU ONCE MORE. home did he show himself in the watev, that the risk of a mishap seemed not worth considering. Yet one day while performing the feat to the admiration of the boys, he came very near paying dearly for his amusement. In some way he had miscalculated the depth of water, and it was much shallower than he imagined. Down he went with hardly a splash, so skilful was his dive ; but instead of returning promptly, he re- mained down, lying motionless among the conchs. " Oh ! what's happened to Rebus ? " cried Ernest, making as though he would spring into the water after the negro. H"^; CHAPTER XII. A TRIP TO CUBA. OLD on a second ! I'm with you," exclaimed 'ictor ; and the next moment both boys with a single splash shot down into the crystal-clear water. They were almost as expert divers as Erebus him- self, and at once caught him in their arms, rising with him to the surface. The Saucy Kate was only drifting very slowly at the time, and they came up so near her that a rope thrown by the first mate was easily caught, and they soon were back on board. The negro was still insensible, an ugly gash in the centre of his w^oolly pate, from which the blood flowed freely, making clear what had happened to him. But after a few minutes, during which the boys were too full of anxiety to think of changing their dripping clothes, he came to himself, and gazing 186 A TRIP TO CUBA. around witli a strange wild stare in his big eyes, spluttered out, — " Ah ! what's de matter wid me ? " Then putting his hand to his head, and feeling the wound, which had not yet been bandaged, he added with a shrewd twinkle of fun in his face, — " Mighty near split my head on dat trash ob a conch, eh ? Dat's where de good ob habin' a thick head comes in. If it had o' been your head, Massa Ernest, you'd ha' been killed sure." " I've not a doubt of it. Rebus," replied Ernest, laughing ; " and so if somebody had to have their head split, it's as well it was you. But you've had a narrow escape, and you mustn't try any more of that diving for conchs." " Did you pull me out ob de water, Massa Ernest ? " inquired the negro, with a beautiful expression of gratitude illuminating his countenance. " Oh, Victor and I did together," responded Ernest, in as matter of fact a tone as if such a feat were not worth mentioning. " You remember. Rebus, when you saved me from the shark I promised you that if I ever got the chance I'd do as much for you; and now we're quits, you see." Erebus knelt down on the deck before the two A TRIP TO CUBA. 187 boys, and lifting up his hands in a curious gesture suggestive of worship, said solemnly, — " De good Lord bless you boff for savin' dc life of dis poor niggah." " Oh, that's all right. Rebus," said Victor, in a somewhat impatient tone, for ho hated anything approaching a scene. " Get your head fixed up, and go and lie down for a while. It will do you good. Erebus dutifully obeyed, and matters returned to tlieir normal quiet on board the schooner. Tlie hours slipped away almost imperceptibly while tlic Saucy Kate, moved by a gentle trade-wind, warm as the human breath, glided over the long, slow swells wliich rose and fell like the pulsing of a mighty bosom. A delicious languor took po.ssession of everybody. Screened from the heat of the sun by a broad awning that cast the whole stern into shadow, the passengers lounged at their ease in scanty attire, sipping ice-cold drinks, and enjoying the marvellous beauty of the sea- scape through which they were passing. Overhead, the sky arched in azur j splendour, flecked by hardly a feather of cloud ; all around, the sea un- dulated in great curves of lapis -lazuli blue, from 188 A Till I' TO CUBA. Mm winch tlio llyin«^-fisli spmiiM; in iVantic foar of their rcnior.soless pursuers, and, after *(leainin^ for a Tnonient in the bright sunsliine like silver arrows, fijM back with soft splashes into their proper element. It seemed a veritable voya«,^e in Pai'adise. So lovely was all nature that one could hanlly conceive of her forces working woe to nian. Yet now and then they encountered tokens of her unsparing de- structiveness when she rose in lier wrath. Once they passed at a respectful distance a long band of green light reachinjj: out into the indi<'o depths fi'om the western end of a small island. It was a sunken reef, and a very dangerous one ; and lugh upon it, in sharp relief against the blue light, lay a wrecked vessel on her beam ends — the i:)itiful remains of what once had been a noble bark. Her decks had been broken in, the roofs of her cabin were gone, her masts were splintered off short, her empty hold yawned naked to the sun, and she had taken on a yellowish- white colour like that of a sun-bleached bone. Abandoned by her crew, plundered and dismantled by wreckers, beat upon pitilessly by scorching sun and unresting sea, so bereft, so forlorn, so uttei-ly un- done did she seem, that it was hard to picture her in A TIllP TO CUltA. 189 fill Ihh* pristino i^lory, with a cloud of spotlt'ss ojinvas l»('llyiiiLf to tlio wind, loapiiij;* from billow to billow liko soino splendid tliini,^ of life. " It '.iuist be a dreadful thing to be wrecked," said Victor rollectively, with Ids eyes fixed upon the ill- fated bark. "One minute to be bowliuir alonjj merrily, and the next — crash ! — hard and fast on the reef ; to stay thert^ until doomsday." " I liope nothing' like that will happen to us," said Ernest, with a trace of apprehension in his tone. He had a quick imagination, and the sight of the bark, and his cousin's musings thereon, brought very vividly before his mind the possibility of being cast away. " I hope not, I'm sure," responded Victor. " But there's no telling. Storms come up very suddenly here, and sometimes they're fearfully violent." But the Saiu'U Kate was not destined to be troubled with storms, on this part of her trip at any rate ; and keeping on in the same lazy, luxurious fashion, she came in due time to the harbour of Cardenas in Cuba, wliich was her first place of call. This nourishing seaport was the centre of a thriving trade in sugar, and had a very prosperous appearance. The boys found much to interest them as they strolled about. IflO A TRIP TO run A, itt " -i Tho stroots swnrm(Ml with a motloy rrmltitndo : Spanish dons as proud ns Lucifer in tlieir rich attire, whicli Hoemod hardly appropriate to tho oppressive heat; nofjroos and niuhittoes of all shades and sizes, as fat and jolly as though tlicy liad not a care in the world ; Europeans and Americans on business bent, their one thouijht beinf' to make their fortune, and get away as quickly as possible ; and niingling with them all, yet ever keeping aloof ard silent, the sallcjw stuntetl " coolies," enduring their hard fate simply because there was no way of escape from it, save through tho door of death. Nor did they shrink from this lamentable alter- native when their miseries became altogether intoler- able. One evoninj^ while the bovs were havinj; an after-dinner lounge upon the balcony of the hotel, they saw a file of soldiers march up in a significant way to a house directly opposite. " Hello ! " exclaimed Victor. " What's tho matter, I wonder ? Is somebody going to be arrested ? " " You'll see in a minute," was the courteous response of a planter, enjoying his cigar in an adjoining easy- chair. " If I'm not mistaken, they're after a batch of coolies." A succession of authoritative knocks upon the front ||L A Till I' TO CUBA. 191 floor Imvinrj ovokcfl no rosponso, tho .solfH(»rs, waxing wratliy, burst it open, and entered without further parley. In a few minutes they reappeared with half a dozen coolies, who were apparently so dead drunk that they could not stantl upon tlieir feet. " Oh, I see ! " said Victor, thinklnir lio iniderstood the whole thing now. " That's a rum-shop, and they've been having a big spreo in t' ro instead of doing ^1" i • work. But why send soldiers aiter them? Are there no policemen ? " The planter smiled significantly. "They're all drunk enough," he said, "but it's not with rum. They've been trying to kill themselves with opium, and I'm inclined to think tliat some of them have made a success of it too," " Kill themselves ! " cried Ernest in horror. " What on earth would they do that for ? " "Because they'd rather die than work," replied the planter sarcastically. " See, tho soldiers are going to touch them up with tho canes a little. That's tho best medicine for such cases." A vigorous course of shaking and pounding having failed to revive the stupefied creatures, se- vere whipping with bamboo canes was resorted to, 192 A TRIP TO CUBA. the soldiers la3'in!4' on unincrcifi.lly, and at the same time forcing* their victims to keep upon their feet. The cruel siglit thrilled the boys with horror, but they could do nothing save utter indignant protests ; and so deeply were their sympathies for the poor coolies stirred, that when, in spite of all attempts at resuscitation, two of the number died on the street, Victor could not help exclaiming, — " Well, I'm glad they're dead. They're better off than in the h.ands of such brutes, anyway." The passionate interest evinced by the boys aroused the planter from his constitutional languor, so that he volunteered some further information concerning the unhappy coolies. Brought from China in great numbers under condi- tions of actual though not nominal slavery, their lives, like those of the Israelites in Egypt, were made bitter with hard bondage, if not in mortar and in brick, in all manner of service in the field ; until, preferring death to such utter misery, they committed suicide in appalling numbers. The six unfortunates whose sufferings the bovs were just witnessing had no doubt met by appointment to smoke themselves to death with opium, and had been A TRIP TO CUBA. 193 b the upon )r, "but otests ; 2 poor ipts at street, iter off aroused Ithat lie m nse the as calm because ay that itv that without >irit.s of onversa- ■^saiy to ere fain [1(1 witli ere iui- bhiiig ill Ik oti' to td under iperately }1 would founder — he had more faith in her than tlmt — but lie well knew how, not far to the south-east, and right in the course of the schooner's helpless drift, stretched the Jumentos Cays, a long curving line of coral reefs, some hidden treacherously beneath the waves, some lying just awash, and others rising into little islands which bore a few trees and tufts of verdure upon their crowns. He could hardly hope to avoid the Jumentos, and once the Saucy Kate entered their perilous neighbour- hood, it could be only by some miracle that she would lind her way out again unscathed. He was a brave man and a skilful mariner, and all that was to bo done under the circumstances he could be relied upon to do. But the hurricane had taken matters entirely out of his hands, and he was practically helpless. It was ndd-day when the storm burst upon the schooner, and the lono- hours of the afternoon ilranQ-ed away without any cheering token of abatement of its fury. The boys were growing dreadfully weary of the struggle to keep their places. Drenched as they were with brine, the wind chilled tliem to the marrow, and their hands were becoming chafed and sore from grip- 208 AT THE MERCY OF THE STORM. ping the ropes. They would have been glad enough now to seek the shelter of the cabin ; but so violent was the pitching of the vessel, and so constantly were the decks swept by the surge, tliat they did not dare to move — the risk of being carried overboard was too great to be run. As the afternoon waned the gloom deepened about the struggling vessel, upon which the incessant strain- ing was beginning to tell, a trial of tlie pumps having shown a foot of water in the hold. And now the danger the captain dreaded revealed itself with unmistakable distinctness. Not far ahead, and indicating themselves by the snowy foam spring- ing high into the air, were the Jumentos Cays. To what part of them the ill-starred schooner had come was not to be told, but as far as the eye could reach to rioht and left the boilino- surf extended with hardly a break. " God help us ! " murnuired the captain, the thought of his wife and children at home in dear old England tilling his eyes with manly tears ; " we can never get out of this." Numbed almost to stupefaction by the pitiless beating upon them of wind and sea, the boys did not at first realize tliat the vessel was so near the breakers. AT THE MERCY OF THE STORM. 209 It Avas Erebus wlio made it known to them by shout- iniT out in accents of wild alarm, — " Golly alive, young massa, just look dere ! We's a'cin' riij'lit on to de rocks ! " Raising themselves to their feet with difficulty, the boys looked ahead. The sight w^as certainly sufficient to appall the stoutest heart. North and south to the very limit of the horizon stretched a snow-white smother of roaring surge, into the midst of which they must in a few moments be plunged. Escape from it in either direction was impossible. Only by the miracle of direct return upon her course could the schooner save herself. But this was not to l)e thou^'ht of. Into the wild confusion she must drive, as helpless as a chip upon the wave. Ernest threw his arms about Victor, and made no attempt to disguise the sob in his voice as he mur- mured, — " We'll be all drowned, Vic. We'll never see the Greyhound nor Charleston again, and they'll all be so sorry at liome. Oh, it's dreadful to have to die so far away from mother and father and the others ! " Victor, bracing himself up, and controlling by a mighty effort the workings of his countenance and (.'iSS) U 210 AT THE MERCY OF THE STORM. the quivering of his voice, which would betray how much he felt the horrors of their situation, responded with a degree of composure that surprised himself, and was not without its effect upon his cousin, — " Don't let us give up, Ernie. There's lots of chances for us. Even if the schooner strikes a reef we may get ashore somewhere, and be all right until some vessel comes alonsr and takes us off acrain." " Do you remember that bark we saw on our way over ? " Ernest asked, with a shudder at the recollec- tion. " If we struck on a place like that, wouldn't it be awful ? " Victor ir. spite of himself shuddered in sympathy. Had that vessel met her fate during such a hurricane as was now making sport of the schoonei', not one of those on board her could have possibly escaped with their lives. " Don't think of her," replied Victor. " We may have better luck. Let us loose these ropes so as to be ready to jump if the schooner strikes." When their hands became chafed by holding on to the ropes, they had wound the latter about their waists, and now they took them in their hands again. It would not do to run any risk of entanglement when the crisis came. T how onded Linsclf, ots of a reef t until iir way ecollec- ildn't it npathy. irricaue one of ed with 'o may Iso as to bing on it their Is asfain. In-lenient 1^ AT THE MERCY OF THE STOUM. 211 But this critical moment seemed strangely delayed. Charging straight at the spray-crowned line of billows, the SaiiCD Kate, instead of striking with a grinding crasli, as her captain so fully expected that for an instant he closed his eyes in sheer horror though he did not loosen his grasp upon the wheel, after some harrowing moments of tossing and pitching in a way that threatened to tear the masts from their sockets, passed on into somewhat smoother water. By marvellous good fortune she had found an opening in the reef sufRciently wide to let her through untouched ; and tliough the spray sprang half-way up her masts, and the hreakers hurled themsehes furiously upon her, she was still sound, and fit for further struggle. Th(3 captain drew a deep breath of relief, and turning to the first mate, cried out, half in wonder- ment, half in hope, — " She never touched, thank God ! Maybe we'll work througli yet." But, to use a homely saying, in getting through the outer edge of the reef the schooner seemed only to have passed from the frying-pan into the fire. Before, the deadly breakers had been only ahead ; now they were all about lier. She was in the midst 212 AT THE MERCY OF THE STORM. •■*._ ^ of a perfect maze of reefs and coral heads, so that, even with an ordinary wind, and with all sails drawing, it would have puzzled the most skilful pilot to steer her safely ; and tossed about as she was by the gale, it seemed she must infallibly strike at any moment. The boys were on their feet now, sustaining them- selves by laying hold of the belaying-pins at the foot of the mainmast. Erebus stood near them. All three felt that death was at hand, and yet were determined to fight for life to the last breath. They could make out dimly rising athwart the bows, for the night was fast closing in upon them, a dark mass of no great size that seemed as if it might be land ; but between them and it intervened a mad maelstrom that the schooner could surely not cross intact. " Well, young massas," Erebus called out, " if dat ain't a big island right dere ! May be we run agin it and get safe on shore." But the words had hardly left his lips before, with a sudden violent shock that hurled them all to the deck and sent both masts by the board Avith a fearful splintering crash, the schooner struck full upon a half- sunken reef. :, even ing, it ier her j;ale, it it. thoin- he foot . All t were art the 1 them, as if it ervened ely not "if dat Un agin |i'e, with to the fearful a half- CH AFTER XIV. CAST AWAY. THE cabin doors were burst open, and up from below, in wild confusion, rushed the other passengers, uttering cries of terror and groans of de- spair as the full horror of their situation was revealed to them. " Here, you lubbers, look out for yourselves ! " roared the captain, losing all sense of the respect due his patrons in the intensity of his excitement. " Lay hold of something, or you'll be all washed overboard." His warninfj was well founded. Rockinfjf and grinding upon the reef, and swept from stem to stern by the billows, that seemed to exult in having at last secured their prey, the schooner oftered slight protec- tion to the unfortunate passengers, and they could only keep their places upon her deck by holding on like grim death. Ernest narrowly escaped being carried off with the * 2U CAST AWAY. wreckage of tlie mast. Indeed, Imt for Erchus' quick eye and brawny arm, he would liave been separated from Victor, doubtless never to rejoin him ; and ifc was not without a tremendous eflbrt that his gigantic protector was able to withhold him from the greed}; maw of the merciless surf. Yet, strange to say, the vessel had not reached lier final resting-place. Lightened by the loss of her masts, she lifted sufficiently upon a billow of extra- ordinary size to clear the reef upon which she hat^ smashed her bows; and although the water pour.;! into the jagged holes made by the sharp coral at a rate that meant speedy foundering, the Saucy Kate staggered on resolutely towards the tree-clad island, now scarce discernible in the deepening dusk. " Bless de Lord, wc's iioin' to make it ! " shouted Erebus, with his great eyes fixed upon the dark mass ahead. "Make what ?" cried Victor, a thrill of hope for a moment arousing him from his benumbed and despair- ing state. " Make dat island right dere, and get ashore on it," the negro shouted back, at the same time pointing with a quivering finger to the thing that gave him ground for hope of escape. CAST AWAY. 215 There was notliin,!^ to 1)e done but w.iit. The heavy rolling" of the .scliooner told how rapidly the wntor was rrnining in ihc- liold. Even provided no reef intervened between her and the island, it was a question whether slie could iloat long enough to reach its strand. It was an affair of minutes. Deeper and deeper .sank the schooner ; nearer and nearer drew the shadowy island. All on board were now alive to the situation — to the strange race that was being run between founderinn: and strandinij — between certain death if the vessel went down in deep water, and the possibility of escape if she kept up long enough to bo beached. The horror of death liad fallen upon every lieart, and in speechless submission they awaited the inevi- table, when the dull, heavy shock of the schooner's keel upon soft, yielding sand told that the gallant vessel had won in the race against the fell force of ocean, and reached the goal to which they were all lookin^r. Shock followed shock in quick succession, the schooner being bumped up the beach, which happily was of white coral sand and entirely free from boulders, by the blows of the billows. 210 CAST AWAY. " Look to yourselves now, all ! " roared the captain, in a voice of sncli stentorian strcni^tli as to be heard even above tlie roaring of wind and snrf. "Now tlien, youni;' niassas," shouted Erebus, " come wif nie ; we'll all tiy it togetlier." Obeying him as implicitly as if they were under his command, \'ictor and Ernest sprang into the breakers at his si < . mil 11/ i':i .' ,, / (■ ( /,', Wvjr -I-. CAST AWAY. 217 This was Erel)ii.s' opportunity, mikI witli i^lail lu'nrt he liustcnod to tlic rescue. Plungiiij;' into tlu- nuK.l commotion, heedless of all Dn't bo fine as il)lc in cstness, ne im- up to cussion cled to whicli •ricane, to be :ials or also a 30 pro- to com- plete, and in the meantime the boys were thrown upon their own resources for anuisement. They soon had explored every inch of the island in spite of Erebus' warnings about the snakes, whose unfailing presence is the banc of the West Indian paradise. " Do snakes be most eberywheres," urged the negro. " Ye can't hardly put yer foot down widout stepping on one." What he said was true enourrh ; but the dano-er was really more his own than theirs, for he went barefoot most of the time, while they wore shoes which afforded adequate protection. Yet Ernest liad a narrow escape one day when in hot pursuit of a beautiful bird whose brilliant plum- aije had attracted him. It was on the farther side of the island from the tent, and Erebus had followed him, leaving Victor, who was feeling too indolent to botlier himself about a 1)ird of Paradise had one Imppened to be in sight, lying in tlio shade of the trees. Ernest pressed on through the grove, determined to get a good look at the bird even if he could not capture it ; and not keeping a sharp enough look-out for obstructions, tripped over a liana, that sent him headlong into the rank grass. (553) 15 226 CAST AWAY. He tlircw out his hands to save liis head, and to liis horror one of tlieni lighted upon tlie cold, slimy body of a snake, whose repose he had thus rudely disturhed. His cry of terror and the snake's liiss of anger were simultaneous, and tlie next instant, Ix'fore Ernest, unable to rise at once, could S(|uirm out of its reach, the loathsome reptile had shot out from its lissome coil, and struck its deadly fangs into his right hand just at the back of the wrist, " O Rebus ! I've been bitten by a snake ! " he screamed, clapping his other hand upon the bite as he struggled to his feet. " Where, Massa Ernest ? " panted the negro, rushing up to him and taking hold of his arm. W^ithout speaking, Ernest showed the tiny pink puncture ; and instantly grasping his wrist, Erebus pressed it to his mouth, covering the wound with his thick lips, and sucking at it furiously. White and trembling, Ernest submitted nnquestion- ingly ; and so strange is the working of the mind, that even in the heiiiht of the horror which chilled his blood, there came to him the recollection of the scone in English history where Queen Eleanor saved Kin^: Edward's life by renderinj^ him a similar service when a poisoned dagger had been thrust into his arm. CAST AWAV 227 to lus y body turl'»' clea of [ffering rily on nditioii Y pros- tlio liip mother heaving ixiously, .ore's no vcep his do out :) could ctor and dipped bus ? " Ic ino- com- ihcd fiice it a tone i WW m I" m IN OPEN BOATS. 235 " To bo siivc, Massa Ernest ; Massa Victor, ho bo all riglit again. Dis ycr's niiffin but a little bit ob sunstroke." Presently Victor became delirious, and broke out into strange wild talk. Now he was at home in Charleston, in the midst of the loved ones, calling iliis one and that by name, and speaking to them eagerly. Again ho was on board the Gi'eyliound, with a Federal cruiser in hot pursuit ; and trendjling with excitement, he would call to the engineer to put on more steam, or turn to hurl taunts at the liated pursuers. Silas Fitch was much in his mind, and li'' uttered his name in a tone of lierco contempt that would have made the wretched traitor s(juirm had he been present to hear. It showed how deep a ^-rudo'e he still cherished against the Noi'thern spy, even though he had, as all supposed, paid the last penalty for his treachery. Aloro than once, crying out wildly, " Oh, I'm so hot ! I'm burn- ing ; I must liavo a dip," he v;ould have sprung over the gunwale of the boat into the water, had not Erebus firndy yet gently restrained liim, saying soothingly as he held him in his strong arms, — " You mustn't do dat, Massa Victor ; dat would 236 IN OPEN BOATS. be bery bad for you. Rebus take good care ob you. Don't ye worry." All this was terribly hard upon Ernest, who entirely forgot his own discomfort, great as that vvas, in his intense concern for Victor. " Oh, if we were only back on the Greyhound ! " he groaned. " Uncle has lots of medicine, and he'd soon fix poor Vic up. It's dreadful not being able to do anything for him." Late in the afternoon a thrill of hope was caused by the captain sighting smoke to the south of them. " We're right in the track of steamers going to Nassau from the Antilles," he said, "and may be that's one of them." Witli devouring anxiety they watched the approach of the steamer, which their intense impatience made to seem unconscionably slow. To obviate all risk of being passed without notice, the captain ordered his men to row towards her ; and stimulated by eagerness to be relieved from the con- finement of tlie beat, they tugged away sturdily at the oars despite the almost overpowering heat. The appearance of the steamer cheered Ernest greatly. There would surely be on board her tlio remedies Victor so urgently needed, and perhaps IN OPEN BOATS. 237 arc ob t, who LS that mnd ! " iid he'd ij caused them, •■oing to may be .pproach [QQ made It notice, ^er ; and the con- ^vdily at Ernest Iher the perhaps even a physician who could give him proper treat- ment, " You'll be all right soon, \'ic," he said caressingly, " once you get out of this horrid boat and on board the steamer." The steamer came steadily on until the two boats were within hail of her, when the captain's stentorian voice rang out, — " Steamer ahoy ! We're in distress. Wc want you to take us aboard." Back came the answer in good round English that sounded sweeter than the best music in the ears of the occupants of the boats, — " Come alongside then ; we'll take you on board." The steamer slowed up, the boats W'jre eagerly rowed close to her big black hull, a rope-ladder was lowered, and in a few minutes the whole company was on board, Erebus carrj'ing Victor up on his mighty shoulders. By happy chance there was a physician on the steamer, a clever Frenchman of much experience travelling from IMartinique to Nassau, and he at once took the suffering boy into his care. " Ce jeune homme est ti'es malade" he said, looking very grave, after he had examined Victor's pulse and 238 IN OPEX r.OATS. felt liis fevered forehead. " V>\\t" lie added witli an expressive shrug', as though to imply that that fact did not matter so much seeing that he had the case in hand, " wo will takt^ care that he not die — ah no ; " with which assurance Ei-nest's anxious heai't was greatly comforted. He put implicit faith in physicians. Ho credited them with power over life and death, his helief in their healinnf skill beiuL!' perhaps all tho stronger from the fact that ho had never himself been in need of it. But his confidence in the alert important Fi'encli- man was not misplaced. Piy th(! application of ice to his burning brow, and the administration of cool- ing draughts, he in a little while Ijrought tlie fever under control, and Victor fell into a sound sleep, with Erebus standing by him vigorously plying a huge palm -leaf fan. Early next morning the steamer made lier wtiy into Nassau harbour, and by this time A'ictor had recoven^d sufficiently to get upon his feet again, although he still felt weak, and Avas troubled with a dull headache. Without loss of time the boys repaired to tho Greyhound, where they found ]\Ir. Sinclair worrying greatly over tho delay in their appearance. According I TX OPEN 1U)ATS. 239 to liis calculation they wvvo a \v(Mjk overdue, and ho had been incjuirhig anxiously in every ([Uarter for tidini^s concernini' them. lie was nuich troubled at lirst by Victor's appear- ance ; but the latter assuring liini that ho would soon bo all right again, and explaining just ^vhat was the matter \vith him, his mind was relieved, and ho listened with deep interest to the recital of the boys' experiences. On his part ho had much to tell of difliculties with machinists, and delays of different sorts that had sorely tried his patience. Only by the exer- cise of the utmost diplomacy, and by the most liberal expenditure of money, had ho been able to hasten on the repairs to the Greyhound. But, in spite of all obstacles, they were rapidly approaching completion, and in a few days more tlie good steamer would be ready for her cargo. " I'm safe to make a l)ig pot of money on the next trip, if nothing goes amiss," Mi-, Sinclair said, the lines of work and worry on his face smoothing out as he smiled at the prospect. " And if my figures come out right, I think I'll take a rest for a time. It's mighty hard \vork this." Little notion had ho as ho spoke thus of the 240 IN OPEN BOATS. troul)los soon to thicken about him, and of tho delays that were to intervene ere tho next trip to which he looked forward with such bright (expecta- tion would l)e brought to a successful issue. Relieved by the return of the boys, and rejoic- ing in the prospect of soon having the Greyhound ready for sea again, he took no thought for the insidious deadly foe lurking in the malarious at- mosphere of Nassau. But Yellow Jack was not minded to allow him to dwell so long within his domain without paying him tribute. The day after the repairs were com- pleted, Mr. Sinclair began to suffer from lassitude and loss of appetite. This caused no alarm at first ; but when there followed severe ri^'ors alternatinn; with flushes of heat, a doctor was called in, who, after one look at his patient, pronounced his illness a bad case of yellow fever ! CHAPTER XVI. FEVER-SMITTEN. THE doctor's announcement filled the Greyhound'a company with consternation, which might have turned into panic but for the prompt decisive action of Hank Thayer. Even as it M'as, se\'eral of the seamen deserted for fear of the disease, and others were prevented from doing so only by very shame for such precipitancy. At the first oppoi'tunity Thayer took counsel with Mr. Sinclair as to what should be done. " My advice, sir, is that we get out of this fever- hole just as smartly as we know how," he said. " There's no telling which of us Yellow Jack will lay hold of next ; and even if it costs us a trip, it'll pay bettor in the end to run up to Halifax and get a clean bill of health than to stay around here hoping to shake the fever off." Mr. Sinclair groaned as he turned his hot head (553) 16 242 FKVIOK-S-MITTKN. upon tlui pillow. It was a Litter disappointinont to him this luiviug to chanyo liis jilaiis, yet lie could not i'ail to SCO the wisdom of the pilot's suggestion. *' Is there such small chance of my getting over it if we stay here?" lie asked in a pleading tone, as thouLili wantin'^ Thayer to say they miuht run the risk for the sake of making tlie trip as intendeck " Mr. Sinclair," responded the pilot, taking his hand and sp(\aking witli the utmost gravity, " I wouldn't give a dime for your chanc(! of life if you stay here. Wc can't get away too soon for your sake, nor for our own either for that matter." Mr. Sinclair sighed heavily, and after a moment's silence said, — " Will you tell Victor I Avant to sec him ? " On Victor appearing he loolced on him with eyes full of love and pride. " My darling boy," ho said, speaking slowly and with some difficulty, " I am very ill, and perhaps may never get better." Victor started forward, and the <. < filled his eyes, but his father checked him by a .ve of his li, .id. "Listen to me, Victor," he continued. "You arc my eldest son, and until I recover you must take my place as best you can. You must represent mo in the I FKVHII-SMITTKN. 243 command of this st(\amer. Of coiir.s<» Thavcr will bo your riglifc-liaiid innn, and will, .1 nm sure, do wliat is right iind fuir hy you as ho has doiio ]>y me. C all liim in now, and I'll tell him." "When th(( pilot camt^ in, Mr. Sinclair repeated in substance wliat lie had said to Victor, addinsr, — " And now, Thayei*, I have only this to ask of you — that you'll bo as truo to my son as you've b<.'cn to me, and if tlut worst comes to the worst, and Yellow Jack has his own way with me, you'll do your best to get the Greyhound safe back to Cliarloston with all on board. Will you give mo your hand on that ? " " That [ will, sir," r(,'sponded the pilot heartily, taking ^Ir. Sinclair's fevered hand into hi.s huge palm and pressing it gently, " I'll stand Ity your boy just as I would by yourself. Haidv 'i'liayer 's acted on tho square all his life. ITcs's got a clean record, if it is himself says it, and he'll keep it clean, please God, till his turn comes to hand in his papers." An expression of profound relief camo into Mr. Sinclair's face. " God bless you, Thayer," he murnuired. " Your words do me more jirood than medicine." Just then the doctor arrived, and the pilot and Victor withdrew while he attended to his patient. M 244 FEVEll-SMlTTEM. Victor's lioad was in .^iich a wliirl of confused and conflicting thoughts, tliat lie went away to the stern of the steamer to try to work out tlie situation Ity liiuiself. He would liave been sonietliing else than a l)oy if the idea of being place'h now innocent of all blockadc-runnini]: intentions, and having no contraband goods of any kind on board, and being therefore according to strict law not amenable to capture, she was going to give the cruisers no less wide a berth than if her destina- tion were Charleston. Mr. Sinclair's recovery, the doctor had said, depended largely upon the expedition with which they reached a cooler latitude, and to be overhauled by a Fcdcrid ship would be sure to mean delay if nothing worse. It was with queer feelings, wliich he would have been reluctant to confess, that Victor, clothed in his new authority, took his place on the bridge. Of course, the control of the steamer was practically in the hands of the pilot, just as it had been when Mr. Sinclair was at his post. Nevertheless, there he stood, representing the vessel's owner, and entitled to offer an opinion, or even to issue a command, should ho see lit. Had he obeyed the dictates of his own heart rather than his father's instructions, he would have been at his side instead of on deck. ]>ut Mr. Sinclair was llrm on this point. " I know your love prompts you to be my nurse, Victor," he said, with affectionate emphasis ; " but you t ■e FEVEll-SMlTTEN. 247 runnmo: of any to strict to give dcstina- epended reached Federal ,vorse. .Id have 1 in his ctically n when here lie itled to , should t rather been at air ^^'as Y nurse, jut you have a more important duty to perform. "Rebus and Ernest will look after me between them, and the doctor has left the most minute instructions as to everything that is to be done. Your place is with Thayer now. God bless you, my boy, and grant that we may reach Halifax all right." Mr. Sinclair's illness revealed a new capacity in Erelais hitherto unsuspected. He made an almost perfect nurse, moving witli a softness and celerity hardly credible in view of his bulk , and, sliowing an intelligent grasp of the whole situation, and a quick sympatliy with the patients needs that constantly spared him the necessity of speech, he proved an ideal attendant. j\Iany a time duiing the long weary hours of his sickness would ^.I]\ Sinclair murmur gratefuU}', — " How good you are, Rebus 1 }'ou're helping mo more than the d'. tor's prescriptions." Ernest divided his time between the sick-room and the bridge. He could not really tlo anything for ^Ir. Sinclair; but Victor wanted to know every little wliile how it was going with Ids father, and he filled the part of messenger, reporting to ^Ir. Sinclair the progress of the steamer, and to Victor the condition of the suti'erer. 248 FEVER-SMITTEN. Keeping well away from Abaco light, whither the cruisers were wont to resort, the Greyltoimd pointed her bow in the direction of the Bermudas. " I reckon we'd better make for the Bermudas first," said Thayer, " though it's just a leetle out of the straight run to Halifax. There's sure to be some of those confounded cruise}''^ sneakin' about in these waters, and it'll be handy to have a port of refuge between here and Halifax," Victor did not fail to catch the note of deference in the pilot's tone as he made this suggestion, and it sent a thrill of pride to his heart. "Let us do that by all means, Mr. Thayer/' he responded, striving to conceal the smile of gratification that rose to his lips ; " and then," he added eagerly, as the thought flashed into his mind, " we'll be able to get a doctor there for father if he's not better by that time. There are doctors at Bermuda, aren't there ? " " Yes, lots of them," replied the pilot — " land-doc- tors and sea doctors. You can have your pick ; and it doesn't much matter which you take, according to my thinkin'," the last sentence betraying by its con- temptuous tone in liow slight esteem the old seaman held the skill of the physicians. FEVER-SMITTEN. 249 thcr the pointed icrniudas 3 out of Lc some in these »f refuge lefercnce 11, and it lyer," lie tification eagerly, be able tter by , aren't and-doc- ck ; and 'dino- to its con- seaman The first day out passed uneventfully. ^Ir. Sinclair grew no worse, although neither did he mend, and no cruiser put in an appearance. Several vessels were si'dited at a distance, two of them bein$T steamers ; but either they were hannless merchantmen, or, if they were cruisers, they failed to discove'r the Grt'ii- hoiind. Victor stuck to his post manfully, not leaving the bridge except to snatch a little sleep or take a hurried mual. Had the entire charge of the steamer rested upon him, he could not have felt his responsibility more. Thayer's endurance was simply wonderful. He seemed to need neither rest nor sleep. So long as he had plenty of food (and this lie never failed to see to) he could go on indefinitely — active, watcliful, resolute, one of the last men in tlie world to admit defeat in any cause he had taken up. It was not until the afternoon of the second day that the cry of " Steamer ahoy 1 " from the look-out started the Greyhound's company from the sense of security which they had been enjoying. " Where away ? " demanded Thayer, the tired look on his well-bronzed countenance champing to one of intense alertness. 1 250 FEVER-SMITTEN. " Just showing' up on tlic port side, sir," was the reply. Both the pilot and Victor pointed their f^dasses in the direction indicated. At first they could not make out anything, and were beginning to hope that the look out was mistaken. But presently the fine spars of a steamer of their own type became visil.'le, and in a little while her whole hull could be dis- covered. She was evidently steering straight for them, and although first appearances would seem to say that she was only another blockade-runner, Thayer somehow felt suspicious concerning her. " I've got a kind of notion," said he, " that that's one of the new cruisers I heard about at Nassau. They've taken to paintin' 'em lead colour, and ma kin' 'em look the very picture of the blockade-runners. I reckon it's our progrannne to keep to ourselves ; " and so the order went to the engine-room to lire up to the full. The (i reylioand fortunately had on board a splendid supply of the best British steam coal laid in at Nassau. Nothing could work better in the furnaces, its only fault being the dense smoke thrown out when firing up ; and the course of the blockade-runner was FEVEU-SMITTEN. 251 now marked hv a huLre black stream that floated out beliind her. " They've got anthracite on that vessel," said the pilot, after scrutinizing tlie other steamer closely ; " and that makes mo the surer that she means mis- cliief, for there's no l)lockadc-runner can get anthra- cite these days/' All a-qulver with excitement and anxiety, Victor paced up and down the bridge, or paid a flying visit to the engine-room to have a word with the entrineer. He felt his responsibility now as he had not done since his father had transferred to him the command. The pilot would direct the course of the steamer, but in event of the pursuer overhauling them, it would be for him to say whether to persist in flight until disabled, or to surrender at discretion. To the bottom of his heart he wished his father back again at his place. The Greyhound had been going under easy steam until the cruiser was sighted, and it took some little time for her to get up full speed, during which the latter manifestly gained. " He seems to be coming up on us," said Victor to the pilot, in an apprehensive tone. " Are we doing our best ? " 9^0 FEVER-SMITTEN". " We're up to the top notcli," replied Tliayer lacon- ically. "I guess we can hold our own from this out," Just then Ernest came up from the cabin with face full of alarm. " Uncle 's dreadfully sick ! " he exclaimed ; " I'm afraid he's g'oiny to die." " Oh, I must go to him ! " cried Victor, losing all thought of the cruiser in his anxiety for his father ; and he Inn-ried down to ^Ir. Sinclair's state-room. The fever had reached its most critical stage, the terrible " black vomit " having set in ; and it certainly seemed as if the sufferer's last hour had come. His tongue was parched and grey, his gums black, and his lips brown and bleeding, while at frequent inter- vals came violent spasms of vomiting, each one of which racked his poor enfeebled frame as though it would tear the life out of him. He was perfectly conscious, but too weak to talk. Yet he did manage to say to A'ictor in a voice scarce more than a whisper, — • " Don't stay here, A'ictor ; go up on deck. You can't do anything for me, and I want you to bo up there." The pride and resolution of the man were wonder- ful. Sick unto death as he had ijood reason to believe FEVER-SMITTKN. 253 Lvor lacon- L tliis out." . with i'ace icd ; " I'm Idsinf^ Jill Ills father ; -room. [ stage, tho it certainly ;oiue. His Lhick, and iicnt inter- ch one of thouLih it V to talk, oice scarce ck. You to he np •c wonder- to believe he was, ho would demy himself the comfort of liavin;^ his son beside him in order that he might represent him in the command of the vessel. Poor Victor was in a most distressinu' dilemma. Filial love bound him to his father's bedside, but lilial obedience demanded that he should go up on deck. At length, seeing that jMr. Sinclair seemed really distressed at his remaining by him, he tore himself away, after making Erebus promise to let him know if his father got still worse. On returning to the bridge he found some comfort in observing that the cruiser had not materially gained while lie was l)elow. Full six miles still separated the two vessels, and as the afternoon was waning fast, there M'as a good chance of night falling before the pursuer could get within range. " What do you think of it now, pilot ? " Victor asked. " Has that steamer got the legs of us ^ " " Not to any great extent," replied Thayer, with a ,c;Tim smile ; "but there's no tellin' yet. He's gained considerable since we first sii^htcd him, and we'll have to hold him off till night to get away from liim ; but I reckon if our engines work along all riffht, we can do it." CHAPTER XVII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. THE burden of his cares and rosponsiliilitios now pressed upon Victor in a way never felt Leforo. With his fatlier lying in the cabin, sick unto deatii for aught he know, and a Federal cruiser in hot pur- suit, to be overtaken by whicli meant tlie ruin of their enterprise that liad hitherto fared so prosperously, he verily needed a stout heart and a clear head. Both of these excellent qualities he showed to an extent that filled the pilot and the rest of the steamer's company with astonishment and admiration. Ho seemed to have grown ten years older within the past forty-eight hours, and there was no mistaking the air of resolution and dignity M'ith which he bore liimself. He was determined to show himself not unworthy of the trust his stricken father had reposed in him, and to do everything that Mr. Sinclair would have done had he been at his post. AX ITNKXI'KCTKl) .Mi:KTrN(;. ilities now t'clt before, .into death \\ hot pur- 10 ruin of ospcrously, lead. ,ved to an G steamer's tion. Ho n the past Xiff the air e himself, worthy of him, and lavo done As tln^y were workiii<^ nf)rt]iward, niL;ht did como on witli the suddenness it did in tin; tropics. Tlicrti was somcthini^' of a twiH^'ht, and ]>eforc darkness fell it seemed (juite clear that the ci'uiser had made a con- siderahlo gain, although still too far behind to begin firinci*. There would l)e no moon until midnight, and the Greyhound' f^ policy was to make the most of the hours intervening to shake oil' her persistimt pursuer. No liirhts therefore were allowed to be seen, and the utmost care was taken to prevent sparks issuing from the smoke-stack. "I reckon we can manage to give him the slip before morning, even if we've got to let a boat go,' said Thayer, alluding to the device sometimes practised of launching a boat with a lighted lantern at its mast- head, and then steaming away at full speed in another direction. But Victor's sharp wits had hit upon another plan. " We're makino- strajo-ht for the Bermudas now, aren't M'o, 'My. Tliaver ? " he asked. " Just as straight as I ken steer," was the pilot's answer. " And Halifax is off that wav, isn't it ? " continued Victor, pointing in a noi'th-w^esterly direction. 250 AX X'NEXI'K(TKD MKETTNO. " Tlmt's a1>ont wliciv^ it li(»s," r('])lit.'(l Tlmyer, won- floriiij^^ AvliJifc tlic l)oy was (lri\ ini,^ ut. " Well now, look hei'c," sjiiritish territory now." It was not naturally an attractive coast, beino' mostly rock-hound and forbidding; but Victor thought it almost beautiful, it brought such a sense of security to his overwearied spirit because of the immunity from capture its nearness implied. Keeping on at three-quarters speed, the Greyhound, arrived oil' the outer entrance to Halifax, harbour at the same time with a largo steamer which had come down from the North. Perfectly saf(i as they knen' themselves to be, yet the sight of this powerful ver-sel, whose; character could not b(^ mistaken for a moment, sent an appre- hensive thrill through the blockade-runner's compaiiy. " It's just as well wc are in pjritish territory," said Thayer dryly. " Ef that ain't the Oiiphhi, I'm con- siderable mistaken. I reckon her commander 'ud have liked nothin' better than to have run acrost us on the high seas." "Is that the Oneida?" asked Victor, with intense 2G0 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. interest. " I heard a good deal about her in Nassau. They say she's caught more blockade-runners than any other cruis(n\" While he was speaking an idea came mto his mind that causei] him to give a little jump, and to snap his fingers exultantly. He would now exercise ^ :s authority to have some amusement at the exptuse of the enemy. Without consultnig Thayer he ordered all the Con- federate Hags tliey had on board to l)e displayed, and soon some half-dozen of them were llutteriufr sauc'iv in tlie breeze right before the eyes of the Northerners. " Say, what's your little game now '( " asked the pilot wonderingly. " Oh, I just want to let the \ankees know that our flag still ilies," answered Victor, his eyes sparkling with excitement. " The sight of it may do them good, you know," Thayer laughed. He could quite understand the boy's humour, and had no objections to otler. But Victor was not content even with this au<]a- cious display oi" hostile bunting. He would vex the souls of the Northerners still further, and so, as the two vessels reached Georj^e's Island side bv side, ho called the crew together on the at'ter-deek, and com- AX UNP:XPE('TIvD iMEKTIX(i 201 lei'ii son2js as loiully as maiidcd tliem to sing Soutl they knew how. Tlie spectacle of tlic two steamers coming up the harbour bow and bow — the one dai'k, grim, and sik^nt; tlie otlier ^ay with llnLj-s and rinii'inix "with song — was a very strange one, and attracted crowds of the Hali- gonians to tlie wharves. " They were not long in sizing up the situation, and then cheer after cheer rolled out across the dancing waves ; for it was the same at Halifax as at Nassau — the general current of sympathy ran with the South, and the blockade-runners were all heroes, wliilc the iiK^n of the Nortli were regarded witli an antipatliy no less illogical than undeserved. The cruiser went on up the harbour to the naval ancliorage, l)ut the Grcyliound halted just ofl' the wharves; and hardly had her anclior splashed into the water than she was surrounded by a swarm of 1 )oats. No oltjection Ijeing ollered, the visitors crowded up on (k^'k, and Victor found himself the target of more ([uestions than he couM manage to ansv»'er. Tliere were newspnper reporters hungry for details of the trip, Southern refugees overflowing with con- gi'atulations, runners from hotels and business cstab- 2G2 AN UNEXrKCTED MEETING. lislniients soliciting patronage, and many with no Lusincss in particular. Thayer, considering that his duties ended with the safe bringing of the steamer into port, went to his cabin to put on some shore-going togs. Victor was therefore left to meet the mob of visitors alone, until Ernest came to his assistance. They satisfied the intruders to the best of their ability, and after an hour or so were left to them- selves, with the comfortable conviction that they had done their utmost to please everybody. The first tliino; to be arran^'ed was the removal of Mr. Sinclair to the hospital. This made it necessary that the GreijhoLind should haul in to one of the wharves. Accordingly Thayer went ashore to secure a berth for her. He liad no difficulty in doing this, for he was received cordially in all quarters ; and before sundown the blockade-runner was snugly moored in a con- venient location, and ]\Ir. Sinclair had comfortable quarters in the hospital, where, with the best of medical care and nursing, his cojnpletc recovery would be only a ( lestion of time. Since little coidd be done until he was again able to assume the direction uf aliairs, and Thayer under- AN UNEXPECTED 31EETING. 2G3 with no with the it to his ictor was me, until of their to thein- they had ■moval of necessary e of tlie to secure he was sundown a con- iifortahle best of •y would rain able under- took the charge of the vessel in tlie meantime, tlie Injys had abundant leisure to spend in making the ac(|uaintance of lEalifax and its people. They found much to attract them in the quaint seaport, that in so many ways seemed as il; it must have been transplanted l)odily from old England and set down in the New World. The long, narrow streets, lined for the most part with wooden buildings which, owing to the universal use of soft coal, were of a uniform smudgy grey colour from the hea\'y deposits of soot; the great citadel towering up behind the city, the broad grassy slope of its glacis affording peaceful pasturage for cattle, but the black muzzles of henvy guns that protruded from its emltrasures sliowing its readiness for war ; the superb harbour penetrating far inland, find so completely sheltered by its forest-crowuL-d shores that no storin, however severe, could harm vessels Avitliin its protection ; the pictur<'sque country that stretched beyond the city to the north and east and west, offering drives and walks of enchanting beauty, — the boys got pleasure from them all, and there was no fear of the time hanging upon their hands. But what particularly intere.^t'd them was the Ji^- €^. 264 AN UNEXPECTED 31EKTING. constant presence of the redcoats and blurjackets. There are always soldiers and sailors at Halifax, it being one of Great Britain's most important military and naval stations in the colonies. Now, however, owing to the war in the United States, and tlie possibility of complications arising, the number of ships and. regiments had been greatly augmented. The streets fairly swarmed witli Tommy Atkinses, swinging their light canes as jauntily as if they owned the whole place ; and Jack-tars Avitli jolly faces and rolling gait, as full of fun and freaks as schoolboys. The boys could not help comparing these ■well-fed, well-clothed, well-drilled warriors with the soldiers and sailors of their own country, sadly to the latter's disadvantage. " If our men were only in as good shape as these chaps," said Victor, with a profound sigh, " we'd soon huve tlic North well beaten. Oli ! why doesn't Eno'land ixive us a hand ? " he exclaimed in a tone of reproach, as though it were greatly to England's discredit that she did not do >,o " It's strano'o the Eno-Hsh Government don"t help us," said Ernest, " for all the English people we've come across want us to win." AN UN EX PKC'i ED MEET 1 X( I . 265 icjackets. Halifax, it military however, and the limber of lo-mcnted. Atkinses, i if they vith jolly freaks as well-fed, soldiers to the shape as bnd sigh, Oh': why lliximed in |;-reatly to lon"t help Iple we've " I can't undi'rstand it at all," returned Victor. " It's too bad they won't, for we need help l)a(.lly enough, dear knows." It was natural that the bovs' minds should be tilled with wonder and impatience at what seemed to them the inexplicable and provoking delay of the British to take the Southern side. They had always been led to l)elieve that they would do it, and almost without exception the l*jiglish people they encountered expressed themselves in hearty sympathy with tlie Confederate cause. Still the expected assistance was not forthconiing, and in the meantime the struL-Me was becominii* harder and harder to sustain. They soon came to know some of the officers, both military and naval, and freely expressed their feelings to them, but they could give them no comfort. The intentions of England in the matter were veiled in profound mystery which no one could pierce. One of the pleasantest plac(vs of resort in the Nova Scotia capital was tlu^ Horticultural Gardens, a somi-public institution at the back of the city where the militai'V bands plaved on cei'tain after- noons, and there were shady promenades adorned with llower-beds, and smooth-shaven lawns for croquet 2GG AN Ux\EXPi:cTED MEETIXCi. and arclicry, thuii much in vogiiu in i'ushiunablo society. Hither came tlic elite of tlie city on iinc afternoons to chat and gossip and liirt with tlie officers, making- a brilliant scene that the boys found amusement in observing. It was within the first week after their arrival that they were strolling along one of the paths Mdiich had a thick-set hedge on the left, when a sudden turn brought them face to face with three men so busily engaged in conversation that they did not notice their approach. The moment Victor's eye fell upon the middle member of the trio a startling change took place in him. His face went swiftly scarlet and then white ; his eyes flamed as if with sudden madness ; his frame quivered like a sharply-struck harp-string, and then stiffened into an attitude of tense concentra- tion like that of a panther preparing to spring. " Silas Fitch ! " he cried, in a voice that was almost a scream. " You miserable scoundrel ! I've o'ot vou now," and he flung himself upon the traitor with such impetuous fury as to bear him backwards to the ground. ,shiunal)lc Lfternooiis s, makii^' scmcnt ill 'ir anival ,ths wliich a sudden ic men so f did not lie niiddlo lok place and tlien madness ; arp-string, concentra- inU". vas almost e Q'ot you aitor witli Lvwai'ds to CHAPTER XVIII. BEFORE THE STIPENDIARY. THE surprise of Victor's sudden attack upon Fitch was so complete that I'or a moment 01' two no attempt at interference was otlered. Then tlic hitter's companion^, recovering their self- possession, had laid lujld of Victor to pull him oil", when l^rnest interposed. " Leave him alone ! " ho shouted. " He can't give him any more than ho deserves." " He must let him up anyway, and give him a fair show%" said one of the strangers, renewing his efforts at a separation of the struggling com- batants. This appealed to Ernest's sense of fair play, and with an assenting nod to the speaker, he grasped Victor's arm, whispering, — "Let him up, Vic; you can whip him standing." Victor allowed himself to be pulled to his feet, _^_^— ^v-^ ^ 2(j.S nKFOlM'] THK STII'KNDIAIIV .111(1 tluiii stood TacIiiL;' I'^itcli, liis faci; lliunini;' witli almost murderous t'ui'V, «ind Ins fists cliiiclicd until the kiuicklcs wei'o wliito. Fitch's counti'nauc'c jjrcsciitcd a strange mixture of emotions : surprise, shame, and sullen rage were written on liis features. Victor's unlooked-for ap- pearance had taken liim altogether aback, and liis furious assault, wlueh he would have anticipated liad he seen liim approaching, so demoralized him that althouuh lie ^^as far from beinu; an arrant coward, and was much A'ictor's superior in size and strength, ho had been unable to make any adequate defence. As the two stood confronting each other — Victor exalted by his rigliteous wrath, and Fitch debased by the sense of guilt even liis small soul could not shut out from itself — they presented an effective pic- ture. "What's all this about?" asked one of Fitch's companions, an oflicer on board a Federal man-of- war then in port. " You can't be fighting here, you know ; you'll both be arrested." " He's a spy ! " panted Victor, pointing his finger of scorn at Fitch, who \ isibly winced under the charge. " He tried to Itetrny our vessel when we \i\v^ \vitli hed until J mixtni-e ran-e wove jd-t'or np- ;, and l»is xnticipatod dizod liini an arrant )r in size make any or — Victor I debased could not ective pic- of Fitch's :xl nian-of- tmo; licre, his finger uniU'r the when we BEFoui-: Tin: sripioxinAuv. 200 wt'i'i' I'UiininL;' the hloekadc^;" and thc!i thi' reeolkction of the fellow's l)asencss inllaniin^' liini afresh, he made another spring- at l)im. !5ut this time interference came fron» a new source. The attention of a policeman had been attracted, and he hurried up just in time to prevent Victor's second attack. "llullo!"]ie crie(h "How's tliis ? 1 arrtst you for creating a disturbance." Tlie advent of the " peeler," as the blue-coated, silver-buttoned guardians of the peace were called ill JIalifax, produced a profound sensation in the little group, and caused a crowd to gather around them with wond(n'ful celerity. \'ictor, realizing the seriousness of the situation, laid a strong hand upon himself, and made no attempt to break away from the policeman ; although Ernest, yielding to a schoolboy impulse, plucked his sleeve, whispering, — • '■ Let us scoot before we're all taken up." Explanations were promptly offered and apologies made, but the " peeler " would have none of them. Having satisfied himself that \'ictor was the aggressor, ho was determined to hale him to prison, telling Fitch to appear against him the next morning when the IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // 1.0 If 'a IIM I.I 1.25 IM 12.2 iU ■ 40 2.0 1.8 1.4 III 1.6 "n ^1 ^>j ^>. /a w V// '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation d •\5 s V ^ ^ 4m <■ <> %^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ \' m on that oGfcthcf too Her ? " asked in a very ng np and t from hi^ Not jest for sure, sir," replied Thayer, as imper- turbable as ever. Like as not there was word sent liiiu from Halifax as soon as wo cast ofi", and he'll be lookin' out mighty sharp for us." " Is that him coming up there ? " cried Ernest, sud- denly pointing to lights approaching from the north- east, a quarter in which the others had not been looking for the enemy at all. Thayer swung round and levelled his glass in the direction indicated. " Jee-ru-sa-lem ! " ho exclaimed, followinsr the lone;- dr;uvn-out word with a whistle of sheer surprise. " Ef I ain't a chump ! — hunting along shore for that confounded cruiser, and there ho bo a-comin' right up on us to leeward. We've got to scoot for it now, sir." By this time the night had cleared considerably, the stars were shining brightly, and there was no dif- ficulty with good night-glasses in making out the big black bulk of the Federal man-of-war as he came steadily towards the Greyhound at half-speed. Whether or not he had vet discovered the nearness of his eagerly-sought quarry there was nothing to show, l)ut it soon must become known or board. As silently as possible the blockade-runner was put at full speed, and with throbbing pulses the little 288 IN TWOFOLD PERIL. group on tlie bridge watched for tokens of the chase having; befnin. They had not long to wait. Such liglit breeze as tliere was blew directly from the Greyhound to the Oneiild, and it quickly bore the sound of the hard- driven paddle- whe('l.s. Instantly there soared up into the sky a hissing fiery rocket, the object of which signal greatly puzzled those on the Greyhound, and the chase began in real earnest. The blockade-runner had some things in her favour at the start. In the first place, the cruiser was a full half-mile astern of her ; and in the second, she was some minutes ahead of him in getting up full speed, which precious time was put to full advantage. On the other hand, the cruiser had the inside course, so that the Greyhound could not hark back to the protection of the Nova Scotian shore without crossing his bows, and must needs therefore steam straight out to sea in the face of the wind that w^as now rising rapidly. " We're in for it now, sir, and no mistake," said Thayer grimly to Mr. Sinclair. " It'll be an all-night chase even if we can keep him off." "And is there any doubt of that?" Mr. Sinclair IN TWOFOLD PERIL. 280 the chase breeze as nd to the the hard- a hissing tly puzzled ;an in real her favour L- ^vas a full ^d, she was full speed, aGje. side course, Dack to the ut crossing 111 straight, t was now istako," said Ian all-night ^Ir. Sinclair asked anxiously. " We've got splendid coal, and the engines arc all in first-class condition, ai-en't thoy ? " " Oh yes, sir," responded Thayer. " The coal and tlie engines are all right ; hut there's no knowin' what may happen, and we've got a tough customer to deal with." Thayer was no hand at speaking conifortaLle words. He was prone to see the darkest side of every situa- tion, and made no attempt to conceal his gloomy views. He really expected to give the cruiser the slip this time, hut thought it best to keep a clear view of the other possibility, and consequently poor Mr. Sinclair did not get from him the note of cheer that his heart craved. It was Victor wdio supplied this, lie understood liis father's state of mind, and sympathizing with it, sought with loving solicitude to counteract it in every way he could. " Oh, we've got the legs of him right enough," he said confidently. " He can't catch us if he does cliasc all night. He'll only waste his coal for iiutl \U\rf. " That's right, Vic 1 that's the way to talk I " ex- claimed Mr. Sinclaii', lu'ightening up. " There's not a ship in the whole Yankee navy able to run the (558) 19 2()0 IN TWOFOI.I) rrjiiL. Greyhound down, barring accidents, and, please God, we're not going to have any accidents." But for tlie serious int(!rest involved, the race between the two steamers niiL,^lit have been a very pleasantly exciting aiiair. It was evident that they were well matched as to speed, however much they differed in size, ;ind that the issue of the contest realK' lay in the respective sea-going qualities of tho two and the excellence of their machinery. It was upon these two points that Thayer's mind misgave him, though ho did not speak out his anxious thoughts. He feared the cflect of the lonnf ocean rollers upon the speed of tho blockade-runner, and he doubted the ability of the engines to run on full steam for many hours without giving trouble in some way. Tho farther out to sea the G iryhoiiiul sped tho stronger grew the wind and the more lively the motion of the waves. Tho sky showed signs of clouding over again, and in other ways there were indications of a change iox the worse in tho weather. " There's a blow com in' on if I'm not a irood deal out on my calculation," said Thayer, "and the Gnnj- hound '11 have a chance to show what she can do in a storm." IN TWOFOLD I'KUIU 291 [case God, tlio race ;cn a very that tlu'y much they ntest really o£ the two ayer's wind , his anxious long ocean mer, and he >n full steaui some way. d sped the 3 lively the And liow do you think she'll stand a storm ? " n' aci'ani, and a change for ^ good deal id the Grey- he can do in -ty. asked ^\v. Sinclair, ^vith some anxiei was silent for a moment, castincr his Tl la yer eye up and down the length of the ship Leforc replying, — She ouuht to 0:0 throui2"li it like a duck But there's no tellin' until yc try. She's loaded just right — that's one comfort." Seeinii: that the blockade-runner had not cncoun- tcrcd any very heavy weather since coming into Mr. Sinclair's possession, it was hut natural that they all should regard with deep concern the prospect of lier haviuLT to hattle with a irale in the North Atlan- tic. Yet there was none of them who did not infi- nitely prefer taking that risk to falling into the liands of their pursuers without a struggle. The storm presently broke upon them with a sudden- ness quite uncommon in these northern latitudes. It becran with quick n-usts of rain that stunrr the faces of those on deck like sharp slaps of the hand ; the sky seemed to fall around the steamer, blotting out everything beyond the bulwarks ; and the sea became a wild welter of foam and fury, in the midst of which the Grejhoand tossed and pitched like a mere chip. The barometer had £;'ivpn duo warning of t!iis, and 292 IN TWOFOLD PERIL. tlie GrcyliouiuVs company were not taken unprepared. The hatches were securely battened, the cabin an/Jimt,v(l -was C(>rtainly A siicli as to appall the stoutest lioart. TJic sudden chant^e in the running; of the seas had thrown her into the trou^di of tlie waves for the moment, and hearing right down upon her astei-n was a tremendous hillow, its body as black as niglit, its crest snow-white with foam, which the wind tore oil' in flying ilakes of spray. This was revealed by the grey of dawn, wliich had ill part dispelled the darkness, yet cast so weird a liu'ht over evervthinu' that the whole scene seemed more like some nio'htmare vision than actual fact. As Thayer cried, " We'll bo pooped," he flung him- self upon the wheel with all his strength, and endeav- oured to give a quick turn to the course of the steamer. But at the moment she was, owing to the fierce 296 A STERN CHASE. opposition of tlic seas, making hardly enough head way to render good steering possible, and she re spondcd too slowly to the rudder to enable her t( evade the damper. "With an awful roar, and the hissinjx as of tci thousand serpents, the billow broke upon the Gvcu hound's deck. For one haiTowincj instant it seemed as if Hk storm had conquered, and that the brave littl( steamer would never }-ise aci'ain. The tremendou- weight of water sank, lier to the scuppers, and ii spite of all the precautions taken great quantities o: it poured into the cabin, engine- oom, and forecastle. The engineers and stokers scrambled up on deck with ghastly faces, fully persuaded that the vessel was foundering, while the steam pouriiig out from the ventilators showed that the water had even attacke'aK set, and inmiediately after sighting her the cruiser had covered her masts also. Now the ])lockade-ruinier carried fore and aft sails, while the Oneida was square-rigged, and the shrcw^d pilot was not slow to see an advantage to be gained in this. }[e accordingly had the Grpyhoimd's sheets hauled flat aft, and kept the vessel close to the wind. " If the wind holds the way it is blowing now, we may weather her yet," he remarked, with a significant hitch of his belt. It was clear enough that head to wind the cruiser could overhaul the blockade-runner, and that oti' the wind his chances would probably have been equally good ; but the pilot's clever seamanship now began to tell. Slowly but surely, as the wind continued steady, the man-of-war dropped to leeward, until by mid-day the Greyhound had so weathered upon him that his sails had become useless. He did not seem to find this out at first, and kept 300 A STIOUN CHASE. them up for somo time after they did him more harm than good. When, liowever, lie haoinG^ cruisers, so that Mr. Sinclair felt well repaid for having touched at the Bermudas, and no longer regretted the loss of time. It was very pleasant meeting fellow-countrj'men whoso experiences had as niuch in common with his own, and the commander of the Greyhound decided to remain at St. George's for the balance of the week, Lide-runncrs ; to get the ■j delay Mr. :1 proceeded and Ernest he hoarded X the 11 E. I that very fter a most cruisers that ,ce INIr. Sin- niation that y, and "was ckaded port Sinchiir felt mudas, and countrymen ion with his md decided )f the week, A BERMUDA ilULlDAV. 313 as the steamer required some repairs after the storm, and it would be well to have her machinery thor- oughly examined, lest something might perhaps go wrong in the very crisis of the run into Charleston. The boys heartily approved of the arrangement. St. George's was quite an interesting place ; the South- erners were in as high favour there as at Halifax, and they could easily find abundant anuisement. They visited the famous caves carved by the waves out of the white coral of which the islands are composed, and in one of them were delighted by seeing a number of tame fish, that would, in response to the whistle of their owner, swim up to the edge of the basin to be feci. These fish were marvellous in colour and beauty of form, and Ernest wanted very much to get some of the same kind to bring back to Charleston with him ; but there seemed no way of managing it, so he had to I'eluctantly abandon the notion. Another point of great interest was the British naval station at Ireland Island, where they saw the immense floating dock, capable of taking in the largest man-of-war, which had been with tre- mendous difhcultv towed across the Atlantic not lun^jj befor •e. 314 A liERMUDA HOLIDAY. Then there was fine boat-sailing- to be enjoyed in a kind of boat peculiar to the Bermudas — a long, light, narrow cedar craft with sc^uarc stern and rounded bow, that, when duly ballasted, would carry a re- markable spread of sail, and bound over the waves at an inspiring rate of speed. The boatmen were for the most part negroes, and great adepts at overcharging, always trying to make visitoi's pay double as much as residents. Erebus soon found this out, and it made him so indignant that he had quite an exciting encounter with one of the grasping fellows. The boys had invited him to accompany them for a sail one propitious morning, and M'hen they were baro'aininij for the hire of a boat, he waxed wroth at the manifest imposition attempted, and advised the boys to go to another boatman. His interposition aroused the ire of the other negro, who, turning upon him with an angry face, demanded contemptuously, — " What 3'ou know about it, anyway ? You just keep your mouf shut." This was too much for the quick-tempered Erebus. Grasping the boatman by the collar of his shirt, he shook him as a mastiff micfht a fox-terrier, exclaiming' '■ mjoycd in a I long, light, ind rounded carry a rc- r the waves neirrocs, and inu' to make nade him so lo- encounter my them for n they were axed wroth advised the £ the other angry face, ? You just crcd Erebus, his shirt, he , exclaiming : A IJEUMUDA HOLIDAY. 315 " What do I know about it ? I know dat you're a mean, rascally nigger, an' you're trying to cheat de young massas ; but you ain't a-goin' to do it, dat's what I know." The boys made no attempt to interfere. They knew Erebus would not hurt tlie boatman ; and tlic latter certainly deserved a good shrking in view of his exorbitant charges. Thoroughly scared by the giant's handling, the boatman as soon as released backed oil' to some distance, shouting, — • " Ye called me a nigger, you did. I'll hab de law on ye, dat I will ! " Not understanding his meaning, Erebus retorted with a snort of disdain, — " Of course I called you a nigger, and a mighty poor nigger you are." Now it was just then that Erebus had made a mistake. Ho might have shaken the boatman until his teeth cracked, and even given him a clip or two with impunity ; but by calling him a " nigger," he had subjected himself to the penalties of the law in a way of which he had no suspicion. In Bermuda then there were no " negroes." The people were classed as " coloured " and " plain " — 310 A 13EK.MUDA HOLIDAY. thdt is, white — and a fine was imposed upon any one callinfij: the coloured folk " nerjroes." That afternoon an impatient-looking Llack police- man served a summons upon Erebus to appear before the magistrate the next morning at ten o'clock ; and on his presenting himself for trial, he was mulcted in tlie amount of one pound sterling and costs, luilf the *\nc >ing to the complainant to salve his injured dignity. The "hoi thing was a jolly joke to the boys, who would have been willing to pay another pound for an equal amount of amusement. By the end of the week everything was in readi- ness for another start, and a blockade-runner which had just come in having reported the coast clear of cruisers, Mr. Sinclair gave orders for steam to be raised, that ho might make his way out through the tortuous channels into the open sea before dark. As the Greyhound was wai'ping out from the wharf at which she had been lying, her company were witnesses of a scene that afforded them a hearty laugh. On board the It E. Lee was a certain Virginian colonel making the trip for the sake of liis health, broken by the hardships of service in the field. )on any one •lack police- )pear before Dclock ; and vas mulcted I costs, lialf : his injured ic boys, who •ound for an as in readi- nmer which ast clear of beam to be through the dark. t from the er company ed theui a n Virginian liis health, field. A BERMUDA HOLIDAY. 317 Ho was a tall, handsome man, who believed in htiv- iiig a good time when he could. That day he and the purser of tho. blockade-runner had been enjoying the hospitality of St. George's, so that when they returned to the boat-landing they were " several sheets in the wind." Some friends had come down to see them off, and so it happened the colonel's boat was lying outside of another which contained a fat old washerwoman. Tlie gallant Yirii'lnian iiaused to exchanu'e farewell salutations with his friends, oblivious of the fact that he had one foot on the stern-sheets of his own boat and the other on that of the Avasherwoman, and his boatman being equally ignorant of the state of affairs, hoisted the jib. There was a stiff l)reeze blowing, and, of course, the boat at once began to pay off, witn the result thf t in a moment the colonel found himself cnactini'' the part of the Colossus of Rhodes. The purser promptly seized one of his legs, and the fat washerwoman, with no less presence of mind, laid hold of the other. Both held on for dear life, M'hile the spectators were breathless with lauirhtcr and full of wonder as to the issue. 318 A 15E11MU13A JIOLIDAY. But the colonel was eqiifil to the cmorgoncy. Taking in the whole situation, ho calmly pulled his watch from his j)ocket, and holding it high above his head with both hands, said as placidly as if he were exchanging the time of day, — " I reckon you'd better both let go," Purser and washerwoman obeyed, and down he went with a soft splash behind the two boats. The water being three fathoms deep, his efforts to save his watch failed of success ; but ho made light of his loss, saying ho would get a Ijetter one when the Southern army took possession of New York. Still laughing at this ludicrous incident, the people of the Greyhound bade good-bye to the Bermudas, and turned their faces towards Charleston. Mr. Sinclair was now quite himself again. The rest at St. George's had completed the cure begun at Halifax ; and though he still was thinner and paler than before the fever attacked him, his spirit was as strong and dauntless as ever. All were in fine fettle on the blockade-runner, and eagerly anticipating tlie i-eturn to Charleston. Main- taining an even speed of ten knots an hour, three days would suffice for the run across, and then there would be as a grand wind-up to the voyage, which A BEUMUDA HOLIDAY. 319 emergency, T pulled his jh above his if ho were (1 down ho )ats. lis efforts to ladc light of 10 when the 3rk. t, the people Bermudas, Lgain. The u'e begun at and paler oirit was as runner, and ■ton. Main- hour, three then there yage, which had been so strangely lengthened out and so full of tlu-illing incidents, the breathless dash through tho inevitable cordon of cruisers. Tho first day out from St. George's passed \'ery pleasantly. Just sufficient breeze blew to bring white-caps on the water ; masses of snow-white clouds filled the azure vault of heaven with their serried array ; the sun shone with such strength that, although tlio autumn season was well advanced, there was no chill in tho air; and, undisturbed by the intrusion of unwelcome cruisers, the blockade-runner's company could take their ease and enjoy the beauty of tho scene. As the cabin party were at dinner in the evening, they naturally fell to discussing the chances of making Charleston without being chased, and Mr. Sinclair's spirits rose so high that he seemed sanguine at such ffood fortune beincj vouchsafed them. But Thayer shook his grizzled head doubtfully. " There ain't much chance of that," ho said. " For one thing, that miserable hound Fitch di(,ln't hurry off to Boston or New York for nothin'. He's given notice of our being out, and there'll be more than one cruiser waitin' for us like a cat watchin' for a mouse." 320 A BERMUDA HOLIDAY. "And wliat if tlicro is?" spoke up Ernest. ""Wf can run away from tlieni just an we've done Lcforc, can't we ? " "To bo sure, to l>e sure," answered tlie pilot, M'itli a patronizing' smile, "supposing there sliould Lo only one at a time. But how about having two of them after you at once ? " " Thayer, you're a regular croaker ! " said Mr. Sinclair, with a smile of protest ; " you're always lookini*' on the dark side of thinj^'s. Somethino- tells me that we're f^oino- to o-et to Charleston all rin'ht this time, and you needn't be trying to give us all the blues." Thayer said no more, and the conversation changed ; but they all were reminded of it when the following morning al)out ten o'clock the heavy spars of a nian- of-w^ar made their appearance to the westward, and they knew that they were in for another chase. " The Oneida again, I suppose," said Victor, in a tone of utter disfjust, after a lonoj look through his telescope. " I reckon you're about right," responded Thayer. " He's bound to have us yet." " Well, he's not got us yet, and he isn't going to, anyway," cried Ernest indignantly, as though there A P.KK.MUDA HOLIDAY. .121 lest. " AVo one 1)0 fore, pilot, with uld Ijo only wo of the HI !" said Mr. ,u'rc ahvays nothing tells all right this c us all the ion changed ; .he following rs of a nian- cstward, and chase. Victor, in a through his lided Thayer. Isn't going to, thoiiiih there was something unwarrantable in the cruiser's per- sistence. When the Fodcra^ ship was first sighted, the courses of the two vessels were sucli that they M'ero approach- ing each other at an ol>tuse anijlo. It was tliereforc necessary to at once change the direction of the (.iirijhound, so tliat the pursuer might 1)0 put full astern. This meant going away from instead of aj^proaching Charleston, but there was no help for it ; and with licr engines working up to their maximum and every stitch of canvas set, the blockade-runner tore through the water, steering a course that would take her to the Bahamas. " We can lun into Nassau for refuge if we can't shake him off any other way," said Mr. Sinclair. " It's dreadful being so delayed, but what else can wo do ? " At the first the cruiser gained sufficiently to bi-ing his hull into full view ; but after that, owing to the change in her course giving her more bu.ij' fit from the wind, the Gtri/hoiuid held her own, and for some hours practically no difference could be discerned in the distance separating the two vessels. " If the journals don't give us trouble again, he'll never catch up to us," said Mr. Sinclair cheerfully; (558) 21 iH| 322 A liEUMUDA J lO LI DAY. " and i\raclcocl is taking extra caro that thoy don't got overlioatcd." But ho had not tak(;n all tho coiiLingoncics into account whon speaking thus. Tho overheating of tlio journals was not tho only danger fio l)lockade- runner had to face. Tho possihility at w. ich Thayer hinted tho preceding night might any niinito bo real- ized ; indeed it was now near at han* . ^lid-day had just gone, and tho Greyhound was i .ill keeping comfortably ahead of her persistent f jrsu(}r, wIk^u Victor, wlio had been sweeping the hole ]ioriz(^n with his glass, suddenly exclaimed as i.. ^"i'^ted over the port bow, — " Hullo ! isn't that another cruiser coming up on us there ? " thoy don't njoncicH into )vl\eating of \o hlockaclc- . ich Thayer rite 1)0 rcal- , , !M id-day i a\\ keeping irsu(>r, wli< 11 liolc horizon ^■ob.tcd over ling np on ns CFIAPTEll XXTI. CArTUllED AT LAST. VICTOR'S words fdlod overyhody with consterna- tion. Another crUiser ! and coining np from tho port side too, so that to escape from liim tho Grey- liound must perforce turn towards the coast, and tluis cross tlio bows of tho OneuJn, still hancjini; on astern. " Wliat can wo do, Tliayer ? " cried Mr. Sinclair, clasping his hands nervously togetlicr. " Do j'ou see any way of escape ? " The pilot shook his head silently. Their case seemed to them hopeless, and ho was beginning to speculate upon his fate when he fell into tho hands of the Federal authorities. The Sinclairs would lose their ship and perhaps their liberty for a little while, Imt he might have to forfeit his life. Because he hailed from New England, he would in all likelihood be adjudged a traitor to his country, and condemned to an ifrnominious death. Yet he was determined 324 CAPTUKED AT LAST. not to flinch. Whatever befell him he would face it firmly. " We'll keep on until we're fired into/' said Mr. Sinclair resolutely. " Don't let us surrender to the Oveida, anyway," urjxed Victor. " It would servo them rii^ht to fool them after all, they've been following us so obsti- nately." Steering a course that would prolong the struggle to the utmost, the Greyhound rushed on gallantly through the waves, as if her situation were in nowise desperate ; and it presently became clear that while, barring some strange mishaps to her pursuers, there could be no doubt as to her capture, it was quite un- certain which of the two cruisers would have the honour and advanta^'e of hailino- her first. The race between them became so close that it even diverted those in the blockade-runner a little from their own trouble, and they watched its progress with jxrowino' e uement. " I'm k.iid of tliinkin' that other fellow may be the Kearsage," said Thayer, after carefully studying the second cruiser, " and I guess it'll be the first to ask us to heave to." The pilot's surmise was doubly correct. It was CAPTURED AT LAST. 325 would face it to," said Mr. da, anyway," rio'lit to fool us so obsti- ^- the struggle on gallantly 'ere in nowise ^r that while, »ursuers, there was quite un- uld have the ,t. ,e that it even a little from progress with w may be the studying tlic first to ask us •reet. It was the Kcarsage, and a fuw minutes after he spoke a puff of smoke leaped out from the cruiser's bow, and a shot from a rifled gun went bounding over tlie waves past the GreyhoumVs stern. " It's no use," said Mr. Sinclair, in a tone of resig- nation. " He's o-ot our ran^-e, and can smash us to pieces. Steer the steamer toward him, Thayer ; we'll let him take us." AVith heavy hearts they drew near the cruiser, and soon were within hailing distance. Mr. Sinclair made no attempt at evasion or denial. " This is the blockade-runner Greyhound, bound for Charleston," he said, " and Ave surrender to you." " Lay to, then, and we'll send a boat to you," was the reply. The Greyhound's paddle-wheels ceased to revolve, and with the promptness of good discipline the cruiser lowered a boat, which came dancing over the waves carrying a dozen officers and men. In absolute silence the little company on the bridge awaited the approach of their captors. Their hearts were too full of bitterness and sorrow for speech. It was not until the boat got so near that the faces of her occupants could be distinguished that the silence was broken. Then Victor, giving a start and shudder 820 CAPTURED AT LAST. as tliouo-li he had suddenly encountered a rattlesnake, cried out, — " Oh, if that's not Fitch ! " Sure enough, sitting on the stcrn-shoets of the boat, his thin sharp features expressing rovongeful joy, while his black beady eyes were fastc.jd exultantly upon the blockade-runner, was the arch-traitor. His time of triumph had come at last. At Victor's words Mr. Sinclair uttered, a groan of profound regret. " Oh, why didn't I let the Oneida take us ? " he exclaimed. " I never imagined that skunk would be on board this vessel." But it was too late now. Fitch, when he hui'ried away from Halifax, had proceeded to New York, and succeeded in getting a place on board the Kearso.ge, then just starting off on a cruise. Owing to his in- formation an especially sharp look-out had been kept for the Greyhound, and her capture made him the hero of the moment. Knowing his son's temper, Mr. Sinclair said ear- nestly to Victor as the boat drew alongside, — " Take no notice of Fitch. If you have another row with him, it will only make things the worse for us. We've got to mind ourselves now." rattlesnake, of the boat, ^ngeful joy, 1 exultantly -raitor. His a groan oi' ke us?" he ik would he he hui'ried V York, and le Kcarsage, to his in- been kept ide hiui the lir said ear- ave another le worse for OAPTUIIED AT LAST. 327 " I'll try to, father," Victor answered, the tense look on his face showing ]iow strong a curb he was putting upon himself; "but,' he added, hissing the words through his half-clinched teeth, " I'd like to kill the miserable scoinidrel." Mr. Sinclair received the officer in command of the boarding party with grave courtesy. " My ship is yours now," he said simply. " I trust you will accord to us such treatment as gentlemen expect from each other." The officer bowed and smiled assent. He was vastly pleased at his vessel rather than the Oneida 1 laving made the capture, and was disposed to show every consideration to the unfortunate blockade-runner. When Fitch stepped upon the GreijliovMcVs deck, he looked about him w^ith an expression of vindictive glee that made Victor's blood boil, and only a warning look from his father restrained him from breaking out into wild words of denunciation. A sharp observer might have noticed, too, what a fierce light ilashed in Erebus' dark eyes, and how Ids liuge hands clinched themselves into fists, one ])low from which would liave jmt the object of his hatred out of the way of doing further nuschief. The Federal officer was a courteous young man, 828 CAPTURED AT LAST, who secMicd anxious to perform his duty with as little unpleasantness as possible ; and in the course of a few minutes it was arranged that, supported hy a midshipman and ten of Ids own men, he should remain in cliargc of the Greijhound for the purpose of taking her up to New York. Mr. Sinclair, on behalf of himself and his company, Iiaving given parole that no attempt at recapturing the vessel would be made, the officer considerately consented that no restraint of any kind should be put upon the prisoners, and that they should continue to naviufato the steamer. The Kearsage and Oneida hung about until every- thing had been settled satisfactorily, and then they went back to their stations ; while the Greyliound, with a parting salute of her flags, turned her bow north-west, and set ofi' to meet her fate in the prize- court. To the ineffable disgust of the blockade-runners, Fitch remained on board. Whether his motive was to take a mean, malignant delioht in j^'loatinq; over the unhappy condition of those whom he had so basely betrayed, or Avhether he was anxious to secure his full reward for his services when the adjudication came to be made, could be only a matter of guess. CAPTURED AT LAST. 829 Pfrhaps botli considemtions influenced hini. It cei'tuinly required no small hardihood for him to face the contempt and loathing that the people of the Greyhound took pains to express by every word and look that had reference to him. The situation was indeed a strnngo one. The Federal officer, the midshipman, and Fitch, of course, shared in the acconnnodation of the cabin, and with the first two Mr. Sinclair and the boys soon established a friendly footing that was pleasant for them all. Conversation flowed freely between them — they re- lating the exciting experiences through which they had ah'eady passed, and the Northerners telling them much about the cruisers and their captures. But th.ere were members of the cabin party who did not share in this sociability. Thayer kept as silent as if he had been stricken dumb. Only when addressed point-blank would he open his mouth, and as soon as he had answered the question he w^ould relapse into silence. His heart was heavy with fore- l)oding, and he made no attenq)t to disguise his depression. As for Fitch, although he strove hard to take part HI the conversation, the utier ignoring of what he might say by all save the Federal officers rendered eS30 CAPTURED AT LAST. his efforts vain, and for the most part he was fain to be as silent as Thayer. Victor found some relief for liis pcnt-iip feelings by taking the first opportunity of explaining to the officer why Fitch was so detested by them, and it soothed him to find a sympathetic listener. " I quite see how you look on it," he said, after Victor had finished his story. " It's too bad that we should have to make use of such people. But every- thing's fair in love and war, you know, and you've no call to crow over us in the matter. There's no lack of spies and traitors on both sides." " I suppose so," answered Victor, with a deep sigh. '' But it goes hard to see them succeed in so con- temptible a business, doesn't it ? " " Yes, it does," responded the officer emphatically. " For my own poTt I'd rather have nothing to do with them at all, but just fight the thing out fair and square on land and sea. But we must obey orders, you know, and that fellow Fitch seems to have been particularly useful to our side m one way or another. I expect he'll make a good thing out of your capture. He's been a long time on the look-out for you." Victor ground his teeth in futile fury. The idea of Fitch having his pockets filled at their expense CAPTURED AT LAST. 331 ^as lain to ap feelings ling to the lem, and it said, after )ad that we But cvery- d you've no ;re's no lack 1 deep sigh. in so con- mphatically. liinGf to do out fair and obey orders, have been or another. Dur capture, you." The idea leir expense seemed the last drop in the cup of bitterness pressed to his lips. But wliat could he do ? His hands were power- less, and he must needs bottle up his wrath and strive to comfort himself wdth the hope of a reckon- ing some day. As the afternoon waned the two cruisers had dis- appeared in the distance, and by nightfall the Grey- hound seemed absolutely alone upon the waste of water. She was a good two days' run from New York, and while she was hastening thither, those on board her must needs make the best of their situation, however trying it might be. Save for Fitch's hateful presence, they would have got on comfortably enough ; but he cast a restraint upon them all, and both captors and captured looked forward impatiently to the end of the voyage. Mr. Sinclair and the officer talked much together, and this left the young midshipman to the company of Victor and Ernest, who, finding liim a frank, jolly sort of chap, opened their hearts freely to him. A good many vessels were sighted during the day, to all of which the officer gave as wdde a berth as possible ; whereat the blockade-runners were consider- ably puzzled. ijl|!l!|lii! a32 CAPTURED AT LAST. Tlioy (lid not see why he sliould be so anxious to avoid his own cruisers, or be afraid of running- across Soutliern vessels, unless he imagined that one of the latter niiglit attempt to recover possession of the Grey- hound, and that was hardly feasible enough to be worth considering. Yet the Federal officer had his reasons for pur- suing this course of action, and they were very well founded too, as became manifest ere the close of the day in a manner entirely unlooked for on the part of the GreyhouncVs company. The afternoon was pretty well advanced, when a steamer showed up on the starboard bow, and came so directly towards the Greyhound that the only way to have prevented meeting her was to turn about and hurry off in the opposite direction. The commander of the prize crew for a few minutes seemed in doubt as to wdiether to do this or not, and consulted earnestly with the midshipman. In the end he decided to keep in his course, and gave orders for the engines to be put at full speed ahead. As the other steamer approached there was much speculation as to her character on board the Grey- hound. To judge by appearances, she was a British CAPTURED AT LAST. .33:3 anxious to ling across one of the )f the Grey- ough to be ns for pur- L-e very well close of the on the part iced, when a w, and came jhe only way •n about and few minutes this or not, »man. s course, and |at full speed Lre was much [rd the Grey- ras a British sloop-of-war, being barque-rigged and heavily sparred after tlie manner of vessels of that type. She was propelled by a screw, and caine up at a rate of speed that tlie blockade-runner at her best could not surpass. "What do you make of her, Thayer ? " asked ^Ir. Sinclair of the pilot, as they stood together on the after-deck eagerly scrutinizing the new-comer. " She's very like some of the English ships we saw at Halifax and St. George's, but I can't understand what one of them would be doing in these waters." " No more can I, sir," replied Thayer, his wrinkled brow betraying his perplexity ; " and what's more, if she be a British ship, she would just go by us, unless she had something to ask of us. But to the best of niy understanding, that steamer is going to hail us." "Perhaps our Yankee officer w^on't stop for her," suggested Mr. Sinclair. " He's got the Greyhound under full speed now." " He'll stop fast enough if the commander of that craft says so," replied Thayer, with one of his grimly significant smiles. "There'll be some heavy guns aboard there as sure as my name's Hank." There was no mistaking the keen concern of the Federal officer. Indeed it was so manifest that, as ^Ir. Sinclair rightly enough surmised, he more than a*^ CAPTURED AT LAST. suspected tlio true character of tlio strciiiger, and was profoundly perturbed at her rapid approach. She was still about half a mile distant, when sud- denly the officer gave orders that all the members of the GreyhouncVs company should go below deck. In considerable surprise they obeyed the command, and were inclined to bo indignant when they found cabin and forecastle doors closed tight upon them. Evidently their captor was anxious that they sliould neither see nor hear what was about to take place. In his hurry, however, ho overlooked one thing — to wit, that they could open the port-holes, and through them keep informed as to the course of events. The other steamer swiftly drew close to the Grey- hound, and when but fifty yards separated the two vessels, the hail rang out, — " Steamer ahoy ! What's your name, and whither bound ? " In breathless suspense those in the cabin awaited the answer, which came after a moment's hesitation, as though the officer on the bridge had paused to con- sider his words, — "The blockade-runner Greyhoimd, bound for Charles- ton. What's your ship ? " From the port-holes they could see a look of sur- CAPTURED AT LAST. im prise come over tlio coiiiitcnanco of the coinmiiiulcr, and there was a suspicious tone in his voice as he responded, — " Wliy, you're away out of your course, aren't you ? This ship 's the Florida, and if we've not lost our bearings, you're too far north altogether." At the mention of the name Florida, a thrill of astonishment went through the imprisoned blockade- runners. None of them had ever seen the famous Southern privateer, hut her brilliant exploits wore known to them all. Ernest was the first to break the spell of silence. Scarce knowing what he did in his excitement, he thrust his head through the port-hole, and shouted with all his might, — " Help ! help ! We've been captured by the Yankees, and they're taking us to New York ! " CHAPTER XXTIT. THE DASH TO ( II AKI.KSTOX. EVERY word of Ernest's appeal rcaclitMl the cars of the coiiiiuaiider of the Florida, mIio was no otlier tlian the renowned Captain Maflitt. Instantly lie undt'istood tlic wliolo situation, and witlr a inock- iiiL,^ l)ow to the officer in charge of the Girykouad, called across to him, — " Your game 's up, my friend. I'll trouble you to let us have that steamer hack again." With joyous speed a l»oat was hnvered, and as it ran alongside the blockade-runner, those in the cabin joined in a hearty cheer of gladness. In another moment they were on deck again, wring- ing the hands and clapping the backs of their rescuers, and expressing in the strongest laguagc they could command their gratitude foi . timely r >cue. "God bless you, Cnptain ... iffitt!" Mr. Sinclair ex- claimed, while the tears glistened in his eyes ; " you've Tin-: DASH TO CIIAI!Li:ST()N. W n tlic cabin niJido a new man of nu\ I can ncvir tliank you adequately for this service." " Oil, that's all rii^dit," replied tho coiniimnder of the Florida, in his ofl-hanil way. " J'm only too j^dad to bo able to do you this o-ood turn, especially," lie atlded, with an exultant smile, " since it's so rouo-h on these Yankees, who've been thinkini;" they had such a good thing." As soon as he had exchanged greetings with the Confederates, Victor liunted up Fitch. He found him on the bridge with the ofFiccr and the niidshipman, looking the very picture of impotent fury and chagrin. Shoving his hands into liis pockets and sticking his cap on the back of his liead, Victor planted him- s(>lf before liini, and drawled out in his most exasper- ating tone, — " Sold again ! sold again ! And wdiat do you think will be done to you now ? Will you give us the pleasure of j^our company back to Charleston ? " At his first words a gleam of wolfish ferocity shone in Fitch's eyes, and he started forward as if he M'ould sti'ike his tormentor. But restraining himself l)y a ;;Teat effort, he kept his place, and as Victor continued a sharp shudder went through his frame. The idea of returninir to Charleston filled him with terror. (r,58) 22 338 THE DASH TO CHARLESTON. Before Victor could say anything further, his father called him to go with him on board the Florirlji, at her commander's invitation, in which both boys were included. In high spirits they went over the famous priva- teer, and were greatly impressed by the completeness of her appointments and by the remarkable luxury in which her officers and men lived. The most costly and elegant china and plate were in use even in the forecastle, and at every turn there were tokens of unstinted profusion such as one would expect to find in a metropolitan mansion and not in a rebel cruiser. But the explanation was simple enough. Among the Florida's recent prizes had been several big homeward-bound Indiamen, and from their rich outfits the Southerners had helped themselves liberally, so that they were taking their meals in services not to be surpassed for style at Delmonico's. Mr. Sinclair and the boys spent a very pleasant hour on the privateer, remaining to dinner with Cap- tain Maffitt; and by the time they took their leave, the detail of their future programme was fully settled. Captain Maffitt would take the Federal officers and men on board his vessel. N. THE DASH TO CHARLESTON. a39 iv, his father Florida, at h boys were [imous priva- comploteness blc luxury in k1 plate were ry turn there , as one would )n and not in )uc?h. Among several big ,cir rich outfits iS liberally, so icrvices not to very pleasant mcr with Cap- lok their leave, fully settled. Iral oflnccrs and " They may como in handy for exchange," ho said. But Fitch would remain as a prisoner on the Giry- hoiind. " He shall be handed over for trial as soon as we reacli Charleston," said Mr. Sinclair. " Ho has played tlie part of spy and traitor, and it will be for the court to say what punishment lie shall suffer for it." This arrancrcmcnt a'avo j^reat satisfaction to the other meml)ers of the blockade-runner's company. Tliey were quite ready, indeed, to constitute themselves into a court of judgment, and to pass sentence on tlio prisoner without loss of time ; but since Mr. Sinclair would not hear of this, they were content to commit the matter into the hands of the pro])er authorities. The night was just settling down when the two steamers parted company — tlio Florida wishing the Greyhound good luck in getting into Charleston, and the Greyhound, heartily cheering her rescuer as she disappeared into the darkness. On tln'ounfh tlie shroudincj cfloom the blockade- runner sped jubilantly, m^ither Thayer nor Mr. Sinclair leaving the bridge at all, while Victor and Ernest remained up there with them until well past midnight. All four were feeling in the best of humour. Even Thayer seemed convinced that their good fortune was 340 THE DASH TO CHARLESTON. invincible, and that they wore certain to reach Charleston in spite of their many set-backs. " We've been havin' a kind of up-and-down time of it," ho remarked to Mr. Sinclair. " But I guess we're goin' to make it out in our own way in the end. The moon 's suitin' just right again, and, barring accidents, we oughtn't to slip up on gefctin' into Charleston." " That's the way it seems to me, Thayer," responded Mr. Sinclair. " We've got out of so many tight places in this trip, that I feel confident of our finish- ing up all right ; and I assure you I'll be right glad to get to Charleston a ad to have a bit of a rest, for I'm quite free to confess that I've had all the excite- ment and worry I want for a while." This was the general feeling upon the Greyhound. Officers and men alike were eager to have a holiday from the stress and strain they had been under for so many weeks, and they would all bo ready to shout, " Ilip, hip, hurrah ! " when they were once more safe under the protection of Fort Sumter. If not driven out of their course by cruisers, they were duo to make Charleston by nightfall of the next day; which would suit them admirably, as they could then run the blockade at once without having- to liaim" about A\'aiting for an opportunity. ^. THE DASH TO CHARLESTON. 341 1 to reach s. own time of o'ucss we're le end. The [\(r accidents, I'leston." r," responded many tight )f our finish- be right glad of a rest, for Jl the excite- |e Greyhound. ye a hoHday en under for ady to shout, ce more safe Icruisers, they 11 of the next |as they could ivinu- to hang Fitch, carefully handcuffed, was confined in the second mate's cabin, where he maintained a sullen silence, although Mr. Sinclair tried to draw him into conversation, being curious to learn how he had saved his life the time he fell overboard in lleeinii' from Erehus. But not a word would he utter even in response to Victor's most aggravating taunts, and tlie truth was ncNer ascertained. He evidently feared the worst for himself, as well he mii^ht. He had small chance of mercv at the hands of the Charleston authorities. They had already suffered too severely through scoundrels of like character to leave him in any doubt as to his doom. Throughout the next day the seas were continually swept by glasses o A CLOSH SllAVK. Suintor, when, witli a sturtling, sickcnin;:,' shock, the vessel's bow struck hard upon the Kan(ll)ank forming the southern side of the Beach Cliannel. A simultaneous f^roan of horror went up from the steamer's company at this appallin^^ mishap. To bo stranded on the beach would have been bad enough, but to * tlio nnniber of cruisers that were firintj away t'uri(jn,sly at tlio GreijhoanJ, it was welhiigli miraculous liow few of tlicir sliots told. Botli uiasts were soon snapped oil' short, and tlio funnel was pierced in two places, while a lieavy sliell smashed in i,he bulwarks on the port side, fortuiiat' iv witliout exploding. Yet it seemed as if only the vessel its(df Avas to sufi'er, until just as Mv. Sinclair was returning from the eugine-room, whither he liad gone for a look at the machinery upon which so much depended, .i solid shot crashed through tho starboard side only a few yards froui him. So suddenly did it all take place that no oui; knew precisely what had occurred. Hut it would ■ oem that Erebus, who was standing near Mr. Sinclair, the instant tho cannon-ball struck the steamer's side sprang in front of his employer, crying, " For any sake, massa, look out!" And the words had not left his lips before a great splinter of wood torn from tho bulwarks, and which but fm* his actiiiu' as a shield would have infallibly decapitated ^Ir. Sinclair, struck him full on the shoulder, hurllii-:;' him forward so that he involved Mr. Sinclair in his downfall. t were firin<; ras \VGllniL;'li 101 ■fc, and tlio I lioavy sht'H 0, forUmat< iV its(^lf Avas to turnim from for a look: at (Icpcndod, a rd side only a tl\at no on(^ l>ut it would ^[r. Sinclair, tl)0 steamer's cryni!: For \\'or( U bad not 'X \voo5 actini;' [capitiited ^tv. d/,■/:(<>■ <'/ :i\>' i ti'ril n;>ni t'lr '■li.'-r i: /,■> s: nt- /I '.■.'//. t/: on !'!t S'''>ll /,/, y.i/i // A CLOSE SHAVE. Witli cries of alarm tlio bo^^s loapod down from tho liridge, and members of the crow rushed forward to lift the prostrate men. Mr. SincLair was somewhat stnnned 1)V the IjIow to tlie back of liis head, Imt was otherwise uninjured. Poor Erebus, however, liad saved his beloved employer at sore cost to himself. The splinter had torn him terriblv on the nc^ck and shoulders, indeed it seemed at Ih'st as if Ids injuries must prove fatal. Forgetting all else in their anxiety for the noble fc'llow, ]\Ir. Sinclair and tlie bovs addressed themselves to the tasks of stanchinu' the blood and bindinc:' ui) the gaping' wounds, showering upon th(> suflerer warm words of gratitude as they did so. Ho was quite conscious, and never winced or nnu-- mured as they did what they could for him. " Never mind, massa," he said protestingly ; " don't take so much trubble for dis poor nigger, ho ain't worth it." " Indeed you are, liebus," responded Mr. Sinclair warmlv. " You saved my life, and I'm iroincj to do all I can to save yours." While they were thus eni^aged the Gr>njhov ml ruslied on, no more shot finding tliMT way into her hull ; and just as they had Erebus tixod up to the best Wl 356 A CLOSE SHAVE. of their ability, a joyous sliout from Tlinyer told them that all danger was past, and that they were safe within Charleston Harhour. Early as the hour was tlic heavy living had attracted the attention of the garrisons of the forts, and as the gallant little steamer sped past old Sumter its walls were lined with men, who sent cheer upon cheer after her, while the Confederate Hag ilaunted proudly from the hio-hest staff. It was the same at Fort Ripley and at Castle Pinckney ; and by the time the Grcijltoiind reached the wharf of John Sinclair's Sons, it was alive with a throng of shouting people, eager to welcome the daring blockade-runners. It really seemed as if all the city went into rejoicing over the GreyltowaiTs fortunate escape ; and as the story of her many vicissitudes passed from lip to lip, those who had shared in them found themselves the heroes of the day. The reunion of ]\Ir. Sinclair and the bovs with the members of their families was an f^ffair of fervent embraces, and joyous laughter, and happy tears, and multiplying exclamations, and questions quite too bewildering to describe. In spite of undoubted pri\'ations all had gone well A CLOSH SUAVi:. 357 witli the two fuinilics, and they soon forgot their many days of ■\vearinL;' anxiety in the compensating delii^'ht of the home-cominL;'. Colonel Sinclair was again at liome, this time for good, as his right arm had been so disabled by a rifle bidlet that he was altogether mititted for further service. As soon as the tirst glad confusion was over, ]\lr. Sinclair bethought himself of Erebus ; and a skilful surgeon was at once despatched to take his case in hand, and to have him removed with as little delay as possible to Mr. Sinclair's house, M'here he would receive the same care as if he were one of his own sons. Tliis having been carefully done, and the surgeon having given the comforting assurance that the heroic fellow's injuries would not prove fatal, sei-ious though they were, Mr. Sinclair felt free to give his attention to other matters. 'Sot until then did it occur to him that he had a prisoner on boartl his vessel. In fact it was Victor who reminded him, remarking in his quiet way in the course of the morning, — " What's to be done with Fitch, father ? " Mr. Sinclair started, and a ftcause they knew tliat if they became public, they wouM bo overwhelmed with applications to be allowed to join in their enterprise, and they felt that they must coniino it to their own people. The GrojlioimiVn acconnnodntions were limited at best, and as it was the two families would crowd the little steamer to the utmost. Not until the Confederate authorities had dcc'ded that the evacuation of the city was inevitable did the brothers let their plans be known, and then the final preparations for the start were hurried on strenu- ouslv. The blockade-runner's hold had been packed tight with bales of th.o finest cotton ; but no deck-load was taken, for Captain Sinclair wished to have the utmost freedoui in working- his vessel. By gi'cat good fortune sufTicient coal of good quality for six days' steaming had been procured, and there was no ground for any uneasiness of mind on that score. It was the middle of the month of February when FOR THK LAST TIME. 367 cvorytliini>- was ready, and with many siolis of ref]^ret at leaving their dearly-loved homes, and many prayers for a safe termination to thoir venture, the members of the two families, hushands and wives and hoj's and girls, ,ith a few servants, including of course Erebus, went on board the Gypyliouvd. Once more the stanch little steamer was to brave the perils of the blockade, nnd this time with such a jnTcious freight of humanity as she had never carried before. " Now, Thayer," said Captain Sinclair solennily, as the wharf lines were cast off and the Gn'i/houTid becran to move down stream. " you must outdo vour- self this trip. If you take us through safely, I'll make vou rich enouuli to do nothino' for the rest of your life." The pilot smiled signilicantlj^, and gave the wheel a twist before replying. " I'm not so much set on getting rich," ho said, " as I am on giving the Yankees the slip again. They'd 1)0 everlastingly tickled to nab us tliis run in par- ticular, and it'll be uU the more solid satisfaction to fool them." The bridge had five occupants now, Colonel Sinclair having joined his brother there, although of course ho 3G8 FOR THE LAST TIME. \\ und consider- ) sight us and it when we're a smothered peering anx- the attention iually close to in the dark- [rprise, Thayer kie Gveyhounil swerve suddenly away from tlie course lie had been steering. But the Federal look-out had already detected the blockade-runner's presence, and the sharp summons of, " Lay to, there, or we'll tire into you," came from the gunboat's commander. Although the cruiser was not more than fifty j'ards distant, and those on the Grci/hound knew riglit well that the Nortlicrn officer was not speaking empty words, the little steamer rushed ahead without vouch- safing any response. The next moment a tremendous explosion split the night air. The cruiser had fired his whole broadside at the flying vessel. Then was the advantage of the heavy swell made manifest ; for by a happy chance the blockade-runner was in the hollow of the wave when the broadside reached her, and every shot passed harmlessly over her, save one that went through the funnel. Not content with hurling such a storm of deadly missiles, the gunboat followed it with a heavy fire of musketry, besides sending up rockets to no^.ify her consorts, two of which promptly came down upon the Greijhound. Yet again fortune favoured the blockade-runner: (55«) 24 370 FOR THE LAST TIME. for tlio two now-comors, making a bad guoss at her position, closed with her on her quarter instead of the bow ; and altlioiigh they too opened fire, none of their sliots told, while, as the Greyhomvl was now going at her utmost speed, they were soon reduced to shadowy forms strucfolinLC alonij astern without a chance of catching up. It was still too soon, however, for the group on her bridGfO to shout " Hurrah ! " for the sirrnallincr and firing had aroused others of the blockading squadron that "Were further out, and they hastened to the scene of action. Colonel Sinclair had hitherto maintained a most commendable composure, seeing that it was his first experience of blockade-running, but now his apprehen- sion broke throu^rh his self-command. " horror I " his eyes bulging from their sockets as he glanced to right and left, " look there, and there ! What's to become of us now ? " He might well be startled, for the situation of the Greyhound had suddenly become critical in the extreme. On either side of the brave little steamer, and not more than a pistol-shot distant, there loomed up in the semi-darkness the shape of a big cruiser. FOn TlfK r.AST TIME. 371 So clo.,0 ,vo,v tl„.y timt they .scorned to f,.ar of •'"■"*,' oacl, oti.., a., ,,„,, „,,.„„, 3, ,,„ ,„^,, „_^^,^, than oneo whon U ,cka,l..-„,„n,.rs were bcinc. cl.nsed _ " Wo-,1 Letter .stop, Tl.ayer," said Captain Sinelai',- m a tone of sorrowful distro.,,,. •■ Jf thoy fi,-e they'll' blow us ont of tlic watoi-." Thayer's rngged f..„.tures wore a look of (ieree determination that l,e l,ad never shown before "O.vo n,e nve nnnntes n,ore. sir," l,o de„,ando.l norti'stily. ^ " Very well, then," assente.l Captain Sinelair. Ood grant they do not liit us." The.se two cruisers, like the previous one, had come "P on the G>ryl,ound: quarter, and were both inferior to her in speed. The pilot had oKserved this, and founded upon it a hope of escape. 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