The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1869-09-10
a hundred dollars TO the man who first puts
o hand upon himv'


A hundred dollars to the man who first puts
u hand upon himr'
With u yell, as of bioodhounds, half
dozen sf lIiey's men splashed into the
river, melted by the promise OF money, and
sprang to the pursuit, while lliley, hastily
lowering u boat, iowed after his men, whom
be- soon overlook, one after another, and
ordered into the boat. They then pulled on
after Ally, who had distanced the mon
while they were in the wafer, but who
could not compete with the boat. Arriving
ut an old sunken schooner, q long way from
the Shore .he boy climbed the topmast, and
looked back at IIiley, who was rapidly ap-
preaching. The captain felt sure Of his
prey. and was telling his men how to seize
The boy, when Ally suddenly fell from the
topmast. as if shot, and Immediately sunk
from sight
Thunder and lightning!" cried Hilcy,
she's gomez
"Gone?' echoed all the men in chorus.
ayes, ronem and Hiley sprang to his
feet, bending forward. ~ saw him go! He
fell hack into the water, and went down
like bullet, without the least cry Pull
for your lives"
! the men obeyed. The boat was quickly
beside the topmast, but no trace Of the boy
copld be found.
"Fll take my Bible OATH" said Hiley,
''that the young salamander has not gone
towards the nearest shore-or any other.
cramp or shark has took him"
The eyes OF the schemng villain lit up
strangely, alnlost savagely.
And such being the fact men" added he,
.'we may as well give up the search"
The men resuMed their oars, the Captain
tho tiler, and the boat returned in silence
to the brig-with ally clinging quietly TO
the stern, his head just far enough out OF
the water to enable him to breathe, and
there be contirued to stay until the boat
returned to the brig.
Aud the boat being lcf. in the water at
the stein OF tie brig, it occurred to Ally to
unfasten the boat from its painter, let it
drift down stream some distance. then
climb irto it, and row away for Norfolk,
which he at once did
For minute or two the boat continued
to spead away in the darkness
Aud then Ally climbed out Of the water
into it. with sigh OF relief, and seizrd u
pair Of oars resoutely.
Crouchng ont Of sight in the hottom Of
the boat, he began rowing shorswards-but
softly. for he was still near tho brig and
the night was 40 calm he feared his enemies
would bear him.
There was only too much occasion, as
it proved. for this caution.
The boat had not gone two minutes f!om
the brig, when Captain Hiley, wishing to
go ashore TO see Colonel Nichols, made his
way aft. and discovering its disappearance
ct once sent u couple Of men alter it in an
other boat.
Ally seeing that he must again take to
the water, took the oars aloDg with him,
and went drifting seaward, with nothin.
but a pair Cf oars TO support him.
The night had now fully set in ..and the
tide ran fast. Cramped aud chilled by his
long continuance in water, the hoy was
whivied along growing weaker every mo
ment; but just as hope vas at ita ebb, he
suddenly beheli sail behind him, rapidly
approaching, under tie force Ct u treshening
breeze.
"a brig. certainl' he groaned, after o
long look at the nearing cloud OF canvass. ---
''It must be old Iiiley's! The wind having
come again, he's of for the Pecifc ocean,
lie regarded the brig, as it came nearer,
asking himself If he should hail her.
LET her be what she may" he mGtterei,
''friend or toe. must bail ter. Ny strl n tn
il used up! | sholl soon slip off OF these
oars and drown! Fortunately the brig il
coming straight towards me. will hail her.
He waited till the brig was near him, ind
then carried his resolve into execution
His feeble call was heard and answered, the
r brig hove to. boat was lowered, and he was
taken aboard the stranger. The boy had
only strength enough to learn that tho was
not Hiley's, and then he tainted.