Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-09-12


: more courageous than sailors, when opposed
to any known and tangible danger while, at
the same time, few are more cowardly when
their superstitions and their dread of the super
natural are aroused
'Now, amt you purity passel of lubberly,
knock-knced, cowardly sneaks, for to go to run
off that-a-way, and leave your captain in the
lurch = roared Backstay Bob, as soon as they
had finished their narrative; 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 as
the former had given vent to portion of his
indignation, 4 suppose you will volunteer with
me to take another trip, and endeavor to rescue
4 the captainr
wont /, though, squire! I'm your man
even if we should have to take him neck and
heels, out of Beelzebub's back kitchen =
Then see if you can get boats crew to
60 with us.
AYE, aye, sir!' cried Bob, as he ran for
ward TO make the attempt, and with the Coop
Grafton and assistance of Mr.. Davit, and with
no small display of eloquence on his own part,
it was at last accomplished.
Bob's determination in this instance evinced
no ordinary degree of courage, for he was
among the most superstitious of the crew, and
firmly believed that evil spirits, in some shape
had something to do with the queer looking
craft, and the detention of the captain aboard
of her. If he had been an ordinary seaman,
before the mast it is not improbable that he
might have displayed less boldness on this oc-
casion; but having the character of an officer
to maintain, he felt that the least sign of fear
would be unworthy of the dignity of his sta
tion, and altogether unbecoming his official
rank as boatswain of the Iris, and late captain
of the maintop on board of one of Uncle Sans
crack frigates.
Mr.. Davt was probably influenced by some
wha, similar feelings, for he had really verv
little faith in any efforts they might make for
the recovery of the captain. He was evident
ly resolved to do every thing that could be
done, however, and in much 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 a 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 difficult for them to prevail on
me TO stay behind. Allwyn was far from be-
ing well but he was young and adventurous,
and no argument, not even the fearful glances
of Linda, could induce him to remain inactive.
Swiftly and silently the little boat approach
ed its destination, while its crew gazed anX-
iously upon the mysterious bark problem
which they were somewhat reluctantly about
TO solve. A few minutes more and they were
alongside. After a few moments consultation
the men were ordered to remain in the boat
until they should be called for, and Allwyn
and Davit, with some difficulty managed to get
aboard. They remained for some time upon
the deck of the bark, and called loudly upon
the captain but low growl, which evidently
proceeded from the cabin, was the only reply.
They then both made for the hatchway,
each being armed with cutlass and brace of
pistols. Just as they reached it, Davit's foot
slipped in the haste and perturbation Of the
moment, and he was precipitated into the cabin
head foremost. The noise of his fall was sue
ceeded by a terrific roar, like that of a wild
beast. Louis followed with all possible expc-
dition, but started back with an involuntary
shudder at the scene which the dim light of
lantern revealed to his eye.
A royal Bengal tiger, gristly and gaunt with
famine, and with his terrible jaws all smeared
with human gore, stood crouching over the
PROSTATE body of the mate, from whose carotid
artery, already severed by the monster, the
life-blood was streaming with a%torce over
which no human aid could have gained the
mastery; while a little farther off lay the
mangled, headless corpse of the captain, upon
which the horrid brute had almost satiated his
ravenous appetite.
Louis Alwyn, during a short, but somewhat
eventful life, had witnessed more than one
scene of carnage and bloodshed, but never be-
fore had such a sickening sense of horror op-
pressed his soul. But it was no time to in
dulge in any thing that bore even the semblance
of weakness, for the savage monster of the jun
Y gle was crouching lower and lower, evidently
| with the intention of springing upon him. He
hastily discharged one of his pistols, with but
little effect. Seeing this, he summoned all
= his self-possession, and taking deliberate aim
with the other, drew the trigger. 1t missed
fire; and on the instant the tiger sprang upon
e him before he had time to use his cutlass.
perceived the coming danger, and quicker than
thought he dropped upon his knees, in the hope
of avoiding it. In this he was partially sue
: cessful. The animal missed his throat al
which it was aiming but Louis was over
turned by the shock, and the man and the
0 monster rolled together on the floor. From
the position in which he lay, his cutlass was
o useless to him, and he already felt the sharp
t claws of the beast entering his flesh Most
2 men, in such situation, would have given
y way to despair, but Louis Allwyn had been
= educated in school which had taught him cool
d ness and selfreliance in the hour of danger
q and while the breath of life remained, nc
a thought of s,lccumbing could find place in his
loco bo &c