At my suggestion Boatswain Lewis was sent into our bow to hail the frigate. In his powerful voice he called out to her as we drew near, proclaiming our character, and asking for a rope. I had to luff to under her stern in order to get it, but at length it reached us, and, making ourselves fast, we held on there until morning.
I now took the opportunity to muster my men, and found that all but four had succeeded in clambering to the deck of the cartel ship. The missing four turned up the next day. They had clung to the broken boat and drifted ashore on Sullivan’s Island. Lieutenant Haines reached the Providence without further mishap.
After consultation with Commodore Whipple the next day, Captain Tucker was able to inform Captain Jackson that his vessel would be allowed to return to the English fleet. He had to wait twenty-four hours before the storm had abated sufficiently to permit him to sail, but when the hour came for him to depart, he and his officers and passengers signed and sent a letter of thanks to our commander for the kindness shown them while in our lines.
CHAPTER XX
CHARLESTON IS TAKEN
I know that Captain Tucker greatly appreciated this act of Captain Jackson and his friends, but he could not have been so elated as were Lieutenant Haines and I over the thanks we received the day after the departure of the cartel ship.
Master John Rutledge, the governor of the colony, sent for us to call upon him at his residence in the town. When we were in his presence he said:
“You, then, are the officers who were in command of the squad that destroyed the Beacon House Light?”
We bowed our assent.
“I have requested you to call here today, my good sirs,” he continued, “that I may extend to you personally my thanks for the very efficient manner in which you performed your task.”
We hastened to assure him we had only done our duty.