Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-27

throat at which it was aiming; but Loui:
was overturned by the shock, and tht
man and the monster rolled together OF
the floor. From the position in which
he lay, his cutlass was useless to him
and he already felt the sharp claws o
the beast entering his flesh. Most men
in such situation, would have giver
way TO despair, but Louis Alwyn had
been educated in a school which had
taught him GOODNESS and self-relance in
the hour of danger; aud while the breath
of life remained, no thought of succumb.
ing could find place in his bosom. Pros.
trate and weaponless as he was, his
thoughts immedia.sly reverted to sharp
Spanish knife which he carried in the
pocket of his vest. In less than a sec.
ond it was in his hand, and it was not a
moment too soon, for the glaring eye
balls oSthe creature were within few
inches of his face, and he could feel its
hot, blood-seekiug breath upon his cheek.
With powerful effort he sprang back
from the hated contact. The tiger snap-
ped at his right arm. 1t was impossible
10 withdraw it, and he boldly plunged
his handinto the huge, cavern-like mouth.
The animal attempted to close its jaw,
and the sharp pointed knife pierced his
palate, till it lodged firmly in the bone.
The tortured creature bounded and how
led with anguish, but the undaunted
youth kept his hold, drew his cutlass
with his left hand, and with one vigorous
stroke. made deep cash in his throat.
The blood swelled forth, the flashing
eyes grew dim, and the monster was
soon stretched lifeless.
The combat lasted but few seconds
and by the time that Louis less agile
companions could get down the hatch
way, it was over. He had been pierced
by the animals claws in several places,
but had received no serious injury. Af-
ter having the dead bodies of the captain
and mate removed TO the boat, he pro-
ceeded to make more minute examina-
lion of the cabin. 1t was long low a.
partment, extending the whole length of
the vessel, and having at either extremi-
ty a massive iron chain terminating in a
heavy ring at one end. the other being
fastened by strong staple to the ves-
sells side. A number of human bones
strewed the floor, besides various arti,
cles of apparel, which evidently indica-
ted that two human beings of opposite
sexes had once tenanted this gloomy spot
ard had probably beea torn to pieces by
the famished tiger. The beast had a
chain around his neck, and had been
confined by slender iron ring, which
was apparently put there to be broken.
Over the centre of the room was written
a single word, in large letters: but no
one could tell the meaning. We after
wards ascertained ii to be the word
"Vengeance!' written in the character OF
an Indian dialect.
Louis now prepared to leave the fated
vessel. When he reached the deck, he
found number of men engaged in haul
ing strong rope which they found down
in the water, with one end made fast 10
the windward side of the vessel.
"What have you got there, Bob!" said
the Young man, as he saw them. ..E
"Well, sir, that's precious sight more
than can tell you. We've been heav.
in away here long enough TO my notion,
TO haul in dipsey line from 'tother side
of no whar. Just look-ee thar, sir, what
a kile (coil) of rope"
There was evidently something at the
end of the line, and the men continued
10 haul away faster, their curiosity in
creasing at every pull. Everything is
finite, and this rope was no exception tc
the universal law. Something glittered
through the waters, one more effort, and
small leaden coffin made its appear,
ance.
"By the powers!" shouted an Irish
man, who stood nearest the water, .'il's
one o. the devils own babies!" and sc
saying the superstitious creature whip
ped out his jack-knile and cut the rope
before any one was aware of his inten.
tion. The littte coffin was soon CLAN.
cling through the troubled waters, ant
then with its unknown contents disap.
peared forever. Some were angry, some
looked wise, others shook their heads
and Paddy insisted that he had done ex
actly right in getting rid of the little imp
as speedily as possible; but there was
perhaps. not one of them who did no
believe Bob's reservations, that the little
coffin had towed the mysterious vesse
to this spot, for the express purpose o
assuring the destruction of the captain
and Mr.. Davit. OF this and all other ol
these matters, nothing more was ever
known, and the reader is just as capable
of forming conjectures about them as
am.
70 Good men may change--bad mer
don't. Time will larnish the best o
steel---but who ever saw brass rust! A
scamp may join the church forty times