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

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and few minutes later it was discover.
ed that the captain was not with them.
They were soon along side, and their
faces were pale and ghastly, as if they
belonged to SO many corpses. s..s
To the questions which were eagerly
put to them from all quarters, they an.
swered, that the moment they came TO
the strange looking craft, they heard a
low, hollow, unearthly sound, which
caused them 10 hesitate about going a.
board, the captain. however, climbed up
the side of the vessel, and after looking
about the deck moment, disappeared
down a hatchway, as they supposed
He was hardly out of sight when the
terrible noise they had heard before was
repeated SO loudly that it shook the very
timbers OF the vessel. The next mo.
ment they heard the report of a pistol,
followed by a terrible shrek from The
caplain-and then all was still. Horror
struck. they called loudly and repeated
ly on their commander, but receiving no
answer, they pushed off, and seizing
their oars, gave way with all their
strength until they reached the ship.
This report was received with indig-
nation by some, but amazenent and ter
ror by the greater number. Few classes
Of men are more courageous than sailors
when opposed to any known and tangi-
bic danger; while. at the same time. few
are more cowardly when their supersti-
tons and their dread of the supernatural
is aroused.
Now amt you purity passel of luo-
berly, knockneed, cowardly sneaks, for
TO go to run off that way, and leave your
captain in The lurch!' roared Backs,ay
Bob, as soon as they had finished their
narratives; you ought to be dressed in
petticoats, and be made to feed five week
old babies for month o. Sundays, so
you ought ...... ,....
We'll, Bob said young Allwyn, as
soon os the former had given vent 10 a
portion of his indignation, Il suppose
you will volunteer with me to take anoth-
er trip and endeavor to rescue the cap
tain!'
Wont | though, squire! I'm your
man-even if we should have to take
him neck and heels out of Belzebub's
back Kitchen
Then see if you can get boats
crew TO 60 with U.S.
AYE, aye, sir cried Bob as he ran
forward to make the attempt, and with
the cooperation and assistance Of Mr..
Davit, and with no small display Of elo-
quence on his own part, it was AT last ac-
complished.
Mr.. Davit had really very little faith
in any efforts they might make for the
recovery Of the captain. lie was evil
dently resolved to do everything that
could be done, however, and in shorter
space of time than could be expected he
and Louis were in the boat, and on their
way to the strange vessel.
| had offered myself as volunteer,
but they would not hear of accepting me,
and as was really too much debilitated
to be Of any service, it was not very dit-
ficult for them to prevail upon me to
stay behind. Allwyn was far from being
well, but he was young and adventurous
and no argument, not even the fearful
glances of Linda, could induce him 10
reihain inactive.
Swiftly and silently the little boat APP
preached It's destination, while lis crew
gazed anxiously upon the mysterious
bark, problem which they were some
what reluctantly about to solve. A few
minutes more and they were along side.
After few moments consideration the
men were ordered TO remain in the boat
until they should be called, and Allwyn
and Davit, with some difficulty managed
TO get aboard; they remained for short
time upon the deck of the bark, and
called loudly upon the captain; but a low
growl, which evidently proceeded from
the cabin, was the only reply.
They both made for the haichway,
each being armed with cutiass and a
brace of pistols. Just as they reached
it Davis foot slipped in the haste and
perturbation of the moment, and he was
precipitated into the cabin head foremost.
The noise of his fail was succeeded by
terrible roar like that of a wild beast.
Louis followed with all possible expedi-
ton, but started back with an inyolunta-
ry shudder at the scene which the d i'm
light of the lantern revealed to his eye.
A royal Bengal tiger, ghasily and
gaunt with famine, and with his terrible
jaws all smealed with human gore, stoo-
ped crouching over the PROSTATE body OF
the mate, from whose carotid artery, al
ready severed by the monster, the life
blood was streaming with force over
which no human aid could have gained
the mastery, while little farther off lay
the mangled, headless corpse of the cap
tain, upon which the horrid brute had al
most satiated his ravenous appetite.
Louis Allwyn, during a short, but
somewhat evenlful life had witnessed
more than one scene OF carnage and
bioodshed, but never before had such a
sickening sense of horror oppressed his
soul. But il was no time to indulge in
anything that bore even the resemblance
OF weakness, for the savage monster ol
the jungle was crouching lower and low
er, evidently with the intention of spring
| inc upon him. He hastily discharged