Taken by the Enemy
Page 32
CHAPTER XXX
RUNNING THE GANTLET
Captain Passford and Percy soon followed Christy into the cabin, andthe meeting of the brother and sister was quite as affectionate asthat between father and son had been. In fact, none of them cared nowfor the steamers of the enemy, or for any thing else, except to get outof Mobile Bay. Christy told his story; and he learned that his fatherhad sent a party ashore the night before to look for him, though theyhad been unable to obtain the slightest information in regard to him.
Captain Breaker insisted that Christy was on board of the Leopard,though not till the soldiers in the long-boat had fired into the tug.The father believed that his son would not tamely submit to being made aprisoner, and the act of Major Pierson had almost convinced him that thecommander was right. He had not been fully satisfied on this point tillhe recognized the silk American flag at the fore of the tug.
But Captain Passford was too much interested in the situation on deckto remain long in the cabin, and he left Christy there with Florry, whoseemed to be supremely happy, now that the family was in a fair way tobe re-united at no distant day.
"I think you know the gentleman who has made all this trouble for me,Florry," said Christy, when he and Percy were alone with her.
"How can I know him?" asked the fair girl, puzzled.
"He is my brother, Major Pierson; and they say he used to call atColonel Passford's once in a while, while I was away at school,"interposed Percy.
"Then I do know him," replied Florry, blushing.
"Father thought, or at least he feared, that you might not like to leavethe South," added Christy.
"Did he say so?" asked the fair maiden, laughing.
"He did not say a word, but I could tell by his looks."
"Then papa was very much mistaken. Major Pierson was very kind andpolite to me, and I think he is a gentleman; but I have had no desireto remain at Glenfield on his account."
Florry spoke as though she intended this remark to be the end of theconversation on that subject, and Christy felt quite sure that she wasnot deeply interested in the commander of Fort Gaines.
"Now, I wonder if I can't go on deck," continued Florry, breaking awayfrom the disagreeable conversation. "They are not firing now."
"I don't know, but I will go on deck and ask father if you wish."
"Do, Christy, if you please."
The Bellevite was shaking in all her frame; for Paul Vapoor was againexercising his skill upon the screw, and she was flying through thewater. The Dauphine seemed to be struggling to get up an equal degree ofspeed; but, fast as she was said to be, the Bellevite was running awayfrom her. There was no excitement on deck, and Christy readily obtainedthe required permission for his sister.
Captain Pecklar, under the skillful treatment of Dr. Linscott, hadimproved a great deal, though he still remained in his bed. He declaredthat he felt like a new man; and, whether he lived or died, he was ashappy as any man ought to be on the face of the earth.
"That steamer off to the north-west has set her ensign with the uniondown, though I can't make out what the flag is," said Captain Breaker,addressing the owner, as Christy came on deck.
"What does that mean?" asked Captain Passford, getting upon the railwith the commander.
"I am sure I don't know. I suppose it is a signal of distress, but itmay be a trick of some sort," added Captain Breaker.
"Do you know any thing about that steamer over there, Christy?" askedthe owner, calling his son.
"That is the Belle, and I believe she came from Mobile," repliedChristy.
"What is she out here for?"
"I have no doubt she came out here to capture the Bellevite. Uncle Homermust have sent word to some one in Mobile, judging from what I heardMajor Pierson say; and probably that steamer came out here to preventthe Bellevite from going into the navy of the Union."
"But why does she hoist a signal of distress?"
"I think it is very likely she is in distress."
"She is firing a gun," added Captain Breaker, as a cloud of smoke rosefrom the Belle.
"Why do you think she is in distress, Christy?" asked his father.
"She opened fire on the Leopard, after she had picked up the boatcontaining Major Pierson's party, and Captain Pecklar and I gave hera shot in return, which went through her bow and made a big hole. Shestopped her wheels then, and since that she has been out of the fight."
"The Dauphine is coming about," added Christy, as he joined thecommander and his father on the rail.
"The Dauphine?" queried Captain Passford.
"That is her name. Captain Pecklar can tell you something about her. Hesays she is fitting up for the Confederate navy, but he thinks she hasno guns on board yet."
"It is beginning to blow very fresh," said Captain Breaker, as he took alook at the sky and the waters of the bay. "My barometer indicates nastyweather."
"There is too much sea, at any rate, for a steamer with a big hole inher bow," said Captain Passford.
Christy told all he knew about the Belle, and the owner declared thathe had no desire to see the large number of men on board of her drownedbefore his eyes. The gun the disabled steamer had fired was regarded asanother signal of distress, which indicated that the situation wasbecoming urgent with her.
"She has hoisted a white flag," added Captain Breaker; and no glass wasneeded to disclose the fact that a panic existed on board of her, formen who could fight bravely for a cause they deemed right might not bewilling to be drowned without being able to lift a finger to savethemselves.
"Come about, Breaker, and run for the disabled steamer," said CaptainPassford, in a decided tone; and the order was instantly obeyed.
The commander sent Christy to the chief engineer to have him increasethe speed of the steamer, at the suggestion of the owner. Paul had notseen him before, and the two friends hugged each other like a couple ofgirls when they came together. But the chief did not lose a moment inobeying the order brought to him. In a few minutes the Bellevite passedthe Dauphine, and readied the vicinity of the Belle, which was evidentlysinking, for she had settled a good deal in the water.
Four boats were instantly lowered into the water; and Christy wasassigned to the command of one of them, while the first and secondofficers and the boatswain went in charge of the others. These boatswere skilfully handled, and they dashed boldly up to the sinking craft.The soldiers on board of her were more afraid of water than they were offire, and the four boats were soon loaded.
"Is that you, Christy?" said one of his passengers.
Christy looked, and saw that the person who addressed him was his uncleHomer.
"Yes, sir," replied the nephew; but he did not venture to say any thingmore.
"I was not aware that you were taking an active part in this affair tillMajor Pierson told me that you had taken possession of his steam-tug,and that it was you who had fired the shot which disabled the Belle,"continued Colonel Passford, evidently very much troubled and annoyed.
"I was made a prisoner by the major, and I have done what I could toget out of his hands," replied Christy. "I suppose you came out in thissteamer for the purpose of capturing the Bellevite; but you have notdone it yet, and I don't believe you will."
"I should like to see your father," added the colonel.
"We are ordered to put these people on board of the Dauphine, and shehas just stopped her screw. I cannot disobey my orders, uncle Homer."
But Christy did not like to prolong the conversation, and he told hismen to give way. The sea had certainly increased till it made it livelyfor the boats, and the colonel said no more. The passengers were put onboard of the Dauphine, and it was not necessary for more than two of theboats to return to the Belle for the rest of the men on board of her.Colonel Passford insisted upon boarding the Bellevite, after the othershad left the boat, and Christy yielded the point.
The Confederate brother was received by the Union brother as thoughnothing had occurred to divide them. He was conducted
to the cabin, asit had just begun to rain, where he was greeted as kindly by Florry.
"I am sorry you left me in such an abrupt manner, Horatio," said Homer,very much embarrassed. "I think you took a rather unfair advantage ofthe circumstances."
"Unfair? What? When you said outright that you intended to take stepsfor the capture of my steamer, the only means of reaching my family, andconveying my daughter to her home, that were within my reach. I camehere on a peaceful mission, and I think the unfairness was all on theother side," replied Horatio.
"I still believe that I had no moral right, before God and mycountrymen, to allow you to hand this fine steamer over to the Yankeenavy: but I was on board of the Belle for the purpose of seeing that noharm came to you, or any member of your family," said Homer with deepfeeling.
"Then I thank you for your good intentions. But I believed, before Godand my countrymen North and South, that I bad no moral right to let thisvessel be taken for the use of the Confederacy, and I would have burnedher on the waters of Mobile Bay before I would have given her up," addedHoratio, quite as earnestly as the other had spoken.
"Fortune has favored you this time, Horatio; but when you are sufferingand in want from the effects of this war, remember that I shall alwayshave a brother's heart in my bosom, and that it will always be open toyou and yours."
"I heartily reciprocate this fraternal sentiment, and I am confidentthat you will need my assistance before I need yours: but all that Ihave and all that I am shall be at your service, Homer."
"I am glad that we understand each other, and I rejoice that I came onboard of your steamer for these parting words. I will not ask you whatyou are going to do next, for you would not tell me; but I shall expectto hear that the Bellevite has been sunk in attempting to pass theforts."
"Better that than in the service of the enemies of my country, Homer."
They parted with tears in the eyes of both, and never before had theyrealized how stern and severe was the mandate of duty. Christy conveyedhis uncle back to the Dauphine, shook hands with him, and returned tothe Bellevite.
The mission of the steamer in Mobile Bay ended, and she had nothing moreto do but return to her native waters, though perhaps this would proveto be the most difficult part of the entire enterprise. The steamerstood down the bay in the drenching rain, and was soon buried in a densefog that was blown in by the wind from the gulf. She lay off and onduring the rest of the day, and the commander made his preparations forrunning the gantlet of the forts.
This was not so difficult and dangerous an enterprise as it became laterwhen the channel was obstructed, though even now the feat could not beaccomplished without great difficulty and danger. In the course of theday, Captain Pecklar left his berth and came on deck. Captain Breakerdecided to leave the piloting of the steamer to him, after he hadconversed for hours with him.
No better night in the whole year could have been selected for theundertaking. It had ceased to rain, but the darkness and the fog wereas dense as possible. The pilot manifested entire confidence, as he hadplenty of water in the channel, and he knew all about the currents, thetide, and the action of the wind. It was an exciting time, when everylight on board was extinguished, and the steamer started down the baywith Captain Pecklar and two quartermasters at the wheel.
After the Bellevite had passed the dangerous part of the channel, firingwas heard from Fort Morgan; but the vessel was soon in the Gulf ofMexico. Heavy guns were heard for some time, but all on board of thesteamer could afford to laugh at them. The ship continued on her course,and among the islands near Nassau Percy Pierson was put on board of aschooner bound to New Providence.
In eight days from the time she passed the forts, the Bellevite steamedinto New York Bay, and then to Bonnydale on the Hudson, where the familywere again re-united, and the fond mother wept over her two children,restored to her after all the dangers of the past.
On his arrival, Captain Passford found letters for him from theGovernment, and the offer of the Bellevite had been promptly accepted.After having been Taken by the Enemy, on the next voyage Christy foundhimself Within the Enemy's Lines.
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AFLOAT
TAKEN BY THE ENEMY WITHIN THE ENEMY'S LINES A VICTORIOUS UNION ON THE BLOCKADE STAND BY THE UNION FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT
ON LAND
BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER IN THE SADDLE A LIEUTENANT AT EIGHTEEN
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The opening of a new series of books from the pen of Oliver Optic is bound to arouse the highest anticipation in the minds of boy and girl readers. There never has been a more interesting writer in the field of juvenile literature than Mr. W. T. Adams, who under his well-known pseudonym, is known and admired by every boy and girl in the country, and by thousands who have long since passed the boundaries of youth, yet who remember with pleasure the genial, interesting pen that did so much to interest, instruct and entertain their younger years. The present volume opens "The Blue and the Gray Series," a title that is sufficiently indicative of the nature and spirit of the series, of which the first volume is now presented, while the name of Oliver Optic is sufficient warrant of the absorbing style of narrative. "Taken by the Enemy," the first book of the series, is as bright and entertaining as any work that Mr. Adams has yet put forth, and will be as eagerly perused as any that has borne his name. It would not be fair to the prospective reader to deprive him of the zest which comes from the unexpected, by entering Into a synopsis of the story. A word, however, should be said in regard to the beauty and appropriateness of the binding, which makes it a most attractive volume.--_Boston Budget._
"Taken by the Enemy" has just come from the press, an announcement that cannot but appeal to every healthy boy from ten to fifteen years of age in the country. "No writer of the present day," says the Boston _Commonwealth_, "whose aim has been to hit the boyish heart, has been as successful as Oliver Optic. There is a period in the life of every youth, just about the time that he is collecting postage-stamps, and before his legs are long enough for a bicycle, when he has the Oliver Optic fever. He catches it by reading a few stray pages somewhere, and then there is nothing for it but to let the matter take its course. Belief comes only when the last page of the last book is read: and then there are relapses whenever a new book appears until one is safely on through the teens."--_Literary News._
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Errata Noted by Transcriber:
Invisible punctuation-- chiefly quotation marks-- has been silentlysupplied.
for he intended to drive the vessel _text reads "to to drive"_any unnecessary strategetical / falsehood _so in original_and observed his conduct on board of the Bellevite _text reads "an board"_"De Lo'd!" exclaimed the venerable colored man _text reads "De L'od"_"Shoot me!" exclaimed Percy, _text reads "exclaimed, Percy,"_"You will not be lost as long as I know where you are," _text reads "where your are"_ "I have hit Her" (Page 315)] _capitalization as in original_What do you intend to do, Christy?" _text has period for question mark_that is the most hopeful thing I can think of," _text reads "think off"_no additional words of recommendation are needed _text reads "recomendation"_The bare announcement of a new series _text begins with open quote_