The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-09-17
sharp cry, as she hid her face in her moth
er's bosom.
CHAPTER III.
A DEsPEI,ArE STRUGGLE FOR

who went by the name OF Hiley, 10 carry
Ally off to China, for which service the
Col. promised to give the Captain the brig
and ten thousand dollars. IN case the boy
nerer came back. Hiley was murderer.
whose real name was Sprouts. and Col.
Nichol. knew IL. And Col. Nichols had
robbed Mrs. Lester, and now wanted to
rob his nephew and have him murdered.
and Hiley knew that, and resolved that
Ally Bell should never see Norfolk again.
"Where is the lad?" he asked ms he and
Col. Nichols finished drinking success to
their nefarious schemes, to which the Col.
replied
"He should be here at this very mo.
ment. All, i hear his step on deck now
Here he comes ~
Even rs he spoke Ally Bell came hur-
rying into the cabin, his face flushed win
pleasurable excitement.
"rm lust In time TO see You oil, Cap
tain Hiley,~ he said. not noticing the
guilty looks of the conspirators. 1.-The
wind Is fair, and the crew anxious. a
good voyage 10 you, Captain. Bring me
some rare shells when you return. They
are for little girls cabinet, and must DO
pretty "
save, ave, Mr.. Allen" responded the
Captain, heartily. Didn't you see my
collection of shells in yonder state-room?
No? You are welcome to your choice oil
them all, sir"
He advanced and flung open the state
room door.
Ally bent forward and looked in.
With quick thrust, Hiley pushed him
into the little room, and hurriedly locked
the door.
With an exultant smile Colonel Nichols
said adeu, and went ashore.
The next minute the hurried tramplins
of feet was blended with the songs of the
stout seamen, rs the brig moved slowly
from the wharf towards the sea.
Ally's first thought, on finding himself
shut up in Captain Hiley's state-room, was
that the two men were joking-merely In
tending to scare him little, and then LEI
him out; but he soon discovered that the
Quickstep-the brig was so named-had
left her wharf. and was standing down
the Elizabeth river towards tho ocean.
The truth flashed upon him
81 sec II all ~ he cried, leaping to his
feet. "Hiley is taking me to sea with
him Captain Hiley ~ he shouted, pound
inc on the wall. "open the door, this min
ute Let me out or 1t will be bad for
your
No reply was made to him-no atten-
ton paid to his cries.
He saw that he was fast.
For moment he was stunned by the
knowledge of his situation.
Then he drew up his slight, boyish fig
ure proudly. his eyes flashing defiance.
1.-The thing for me to do" he mused,
ais to help myself A boy who can't fight
his own way will never be n man.
Drawing from his pocket match, OF
which he usually carried supply, he
lighted the candle in its box mt one end oil
the state-room.
81 see,n he mentally commented, look
inc around, in the light thus furnished.
Heres whole dray load of boxes and
bundles. And here's n cannon too" add
ell Ally-"a small one, which is expected,
no doubt, to bring big price from those
simple natives in the South sea.
81 can use this thing" thought the boy
with kindling eyes. II have plenty oi
powder in my pocket !"
He had bought this powder just before
he came aboard of the brig, for the eN'
pcriments he had promised TO show Amy
that very evening.
Without more ado. Ally set Mt worl
loading and firing the little cannon rs rap
idly ms possible, smashing the door, ant
calling out for everybody to keep out o
the way. The captain and crew were
frantic with fear. rs there was large
quantity of powder in the state-room, and
the prospect was that the ship would be
blown TO atoms. Having filed the STATE
room and cabin with smoke, Ally seized
one Of the Captains revolyers, burst open
the shattered door, rushed upon deck, and
leaped into the river.
Thunder and lightcning!" cried Hilcy,
startled beyond expression. AFTER thai
boy, all of YOU Satan himself is in him
A hundred dollars To the man who first
puts hand upon him ~
With yell. rs Of blood-hounds, half q
dozen of IIiley's men splashed into the
river, melted by the promise of money
and sprang to the pursuit, while Hilcey
hastily lowering boat, rowcd after hi!
men, whom he soon overlook, one aitel
another. and ordered into the boat They
then pulled on after Ally, who had distanc
ell the men while they were in the water
but who could not compete with the boat
Arriving ut an old sunken schooner, u long
way from the shore, the boy climbed upon
the topmast. and looked back ut Hiley
who was rapidly approaching. The cap
tain felt sure of his prey, and was telling
his men how To seize the boy, when Ally
suddenly fell from the topmast, rs If shot
and Immediately sunk from sight.
Thunder and tightening" cried Hiley
shes goner
Gomez echoed all the men in chorus
"Yes, gonew and Hiley sprang to hi'
feet, bending forward. Il saw him go
He fell back into the water, and went
down like bullet, without the least cry
Pull for your lives!'
The men obeyed. The boat was quick
ly beside the topmast. But no trace %
the boy could be found!
.'Tli take my Bible OATH" said Hiley
..that the young salamander has not gone
towards the nearest shore--or any other
A cramp or shark has took him.
me- tNtS VI lllt SSntlliiiic Niiii1h ~ vi
strangely almost sayagely.
And such being the fact men, added
he. ..wc may rs well give up the search.
The men resumed their oars, the captain
the tiller. and tho boat returned In silenc,
TO the brig. ,cih Ally eiinging 9tictly q
dc steyn-his head just far enough out O
the water TO enable BIN To breathe-and
tber, he continued to stay until the boa
returned TO the brig.
And then. the boat being left in the wa
ter, nj the stern of the brig. il occurred t.
Ally to unf:lsten tho boat from Its painter
let Il drift down stream some distance
then. climb into it, and row away for Nor
folk. which he nj once did.
For minute or two the boat continued
70 speed away in the darkness.
And then Ally climbed ont of the water
into Il with a long sigh Of relief, ant
seized a pair Of oars resolutely.
Croucbiny ont of sight I'm the bottom o.