Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-11-30
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Shadowy forms merged INTO one. ana
then followed an impressive silence
suddenly broken by howl, pistol
shot and scream and, as our hearts
almost stopped beating, we saw mo-
ment later the boat put off from the
hulk, and the men rowing with all their
might back to the ship. AS they came
nearer, we discerned that the captain
was missing
Backstay Bob dashed toward the boat,
and, shaking his fist at the men, de-
manded furiously,
You cowardly dogs whereas Capt
Luster ?"
'sThe devil has got him =
Absurd as this reply might have
seemed at any other time, it was uttered
in solemn earnest, as the CHASTITY faces
of the crew attested. In reply to our
eager questions, they said the moment
they came along side the craft they
heard low, hollow, unearthly sound,
which caused them to hesitate. The
captain climbed up the side of the yes
sci descended the hatchway, and disap-
peared from view.
He was hardly out of sight when the
noise they had heard at first was re-
peated, far louder and fercer. The
next moment the report of the captains
pistol was heard, followed by terrific
shrek, and then all was still !
Horror struck, they called loudly
and repeatedly to their commander,
but receiving no answer, pulled away
from the ship.
8" You're purity set of cowardly
sneaks, amt you, to go and desert your
captain in that way, when, like enough,
lie needed you to save his life, roared
Backstay Bob, forgetting in his fury
that the first mate was among those
he denounced. "rm going back to take
that old hulk, and if can't get at the
devil in any other way, I'll put key OF
powder in it and blow it to blazes
"Bob is right, if his excitement does
make him forget his manners, p" said the
mate. cit was not my intention to de-
sert Captain Luster in trouble. The
men were so frightened til at thought
it best to come back and get a newset. "
There was some difficulty in procur-
ing the requisite number, and accord
ingly Prescott and myself were accept
ed. AS the former went over the ships
side, Florence Harris said
Don't you come back, Edmund,
until YOU have heard what has became
of poor Capt Luster.
He gave her his promise, and we
rapidly neared the hulk, which had ac-
quired such strange interest to us all.
Prescott, in addition to his revolver,
had a small italian dagger, which | OBJ
served him handle, as if to assure him
self that it was reliable. Then, as he
replaced it, he remarked to me-
'sThere's no telling what's inside
that mass Of lumber, and this may be
the weapon / need, after all. "
Arriving at the craft, after short
consultation, it was agreed that the
our oarsmen, the mate and myself,
hould remain behind while Backstay
Bob and Edmund Prescott should ex-
plore the hulk. AS it was morally GER
tain that some dreadful danger men
aced all who entered the cabin, and as
/ was good for nothing, | needed no
more urging than the mate to remain
in my position
Prescott went first, holding his PTS
toll in one hand, and lantern in the
other, while Bob closely followed with
his cutlass. We saw them descend the
hatchway all was still, and then |
heard the single exclamation from Pres
cott,
''Oh my God p
This was followed by terrible roar,
a quick succession Of pistol shots,
fierce struggle, and then all was still
again.
The next moment both Prescott and
Backstay Bob emerged to view, covered
from head to foot with blood.
s'Come aboard, said they; ''the
danger is now over"
The next instant we were on deck
L rushed to the hole and gazed down.
Merciful Heaven what did behold.