The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-09-15
CHAPTER III.
A DFsFERATE sTRUqaLE ZOE LIBERTl


lying at the wharf, his uncle, Colonel
Nichols, had bees there and arranged
with the Captain, who went by the
name Of Hiley, to carry oil Ally to CHI
ma, for which service the Colonel prom
ised to give the Captain, the brig and
ten thousand dollars, an case the bog
neUeT came bach. Hiley was a muir
derer, whose real name was Sprouts,
and Colonel Nichols knew it. And
Colonel 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, ,o,.
he and Colonel Nichols finished
drinking success to their Uefarlous
schemes, to which the Colonel replied:
He should be here at this very
moment. All, l hear his step on
deck now! Here he comesl"
Even as he spoke, Ally Bell came
hurrying into the cabin, his face
flushed with pleasurable excitement.
IN just In time to see you of,
Captain Hiley," he said, not noticing
the guilty looks of the conspirators.
The wind is fair, and the crew anx-
ious. A good voyage to you, Captain.
Bring me some rare shells when you
return. They are for a little glrl's
cabinet, and must be pretty!"
Aye, aye, Mr.. Allen" responded
the Captain, heartily. Did Mt you
see my collection of shells In yonder
state-room? No? You are welcome
to your choice of them all, sir. "
lie advanced and flung open the
state-room door.
All bent forward and looked in.
With a quick thrust, Hiley pushed
him into the little room, and hurried
ly locked the door.
With an exultant smile, Colonel
Nichols said adieu, aud went ashore.
The next minute the hurried tramp
| ling of feet was blended with the
songs Of the stout seamen, as the brig
moved slowly from the wharf towards
| the sea.
Ally's first thought, on finding him
self shut up In Captain Hiley's state
room, was that the two men were
joking-merely intending to scare him
a little, and then let him out; but ne
| soon discovered that the Quickstep-
| the brig was so named-had left her
wharf, and was standing down the
Elizabeth River towards the ocean.
The truth flashed upon him
Il see it ALL" he cried, leaping to
his feet. Hiley is taking me to sea
with himl Captain Hiley! he shout
ed, pounding on the wall, open the
door, this minute! Let me out, or il
will be bad for youl
No reply was made to him-no at
tention 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
figure proudly, his eyes flashing de-
The thing for me to do" he
unused, is to help myself. A boy
who can't fight his own way will never
be mani"
Drawing from his pocket a match,
of which he usually carried supply,
| he lighted the candle In Its box at
one end of the state-room.
Il see" he mentally commented,
| looking around in the light thus fur
nished. Here's a whole dray load
of boxes and bundles. And here's a
cannon, too" added Ally" a small
one, which is expected, no doubt, to
bring big price from those simple
natives in the South Sea.
Il can use this thing" thought the
boy, with kindling eyes. l have
plenty Of powder in my pocket!
He had bought this powder just be-
fore he came aboard of the brig, for
the experiments he had promised to
show Amy that very evening.
Without more ado, Ally set at work
loading and firing the little cannon
as rapidly as possible, smashing the
door, and calling out for every
body to keep out of the way.
| The captain and crew were fran
tie with fear, as there was i large
quantity of powder In the state
room. and the prospect was that the
| shin would be blown to atoms. Hav-
ing filed the state-room and cabin
with smoke. Ally seized one of the
Captains revolvers, burst open the
shattered door, rushed upon deck,
and leaped into the river.
"Thunder and lightning" cried
Hilev. startled beyond expression.
After that boy, all of you! Satan
himself is in himl A hundred dol.
lars to the man who first puts hand
| upon himl"
: With a yell, as Of blood-hounds,
t half a dozen OF Hiley's men splashed
into the river, melted by the promise
q of money, and sprang to the pursuit,
g while Hiley, hastily lowering q boat,
= roWed after his men, whom be soon
e overlook, one after another, and
q ordered into the boat. They then
pulled on after Ally, who had dis
tanced the men while they were in