The Democratic advocate., 1869-01-14
No noise now, Carter; follow me as
though nothing had happened

1
to have been pinned up under the after
break Of the hatch.
" It's ball Of twine," said he
" Don't touch it, but run and get a
lantern" replied Tucker.
Carter sprang to obey, and when he
returned a number Of the men had gath.
cred about the spot. The hatch was
raised, and the Commodore carefully
picked up the ball of twine, and found |
that it was made fast to something be. |
low. He descended to the hold. and |
there he found that the twine ran 10
beneath the lid Of the coffin. He had
no doubt in his mind now that there
was mischief boxed up below, aud he
sent Carter for something that might
answer for screw driver. The man
soon returned with stout knife, and
the Commodore set to work. He
worked very carefully, however, at the
same time keeping a bright lookout for
the string. s..
AT length the screws were odt, and
the lid very carefully lifted from its
place.
"Great God in heaven burst from
the lips of the Commodore.
"By Sam Hyde!" dropped like
thunder clap from the tongue of young
Dan. @
"God bless you, Dan" said the Com
modore. .. u.......E .,.. ~
| know'd it ]" uttered Dan.
The two men stood for moment and
gazed into the coffin. There was no dead
man there, but in place thereof, there
was material for the death of q score.
The coffin was filled with gunpowdcr
and pitchwood! Upon light frame
work in the centre were arranged four
pistols, all cooked, and the string enter
ing the coffin from without, commuui.
Gated with the trigger of each
The first movement Of the Commo
dore was to call for water, and when it
was brought, he dashed three or four
buckets full iuto the Internal contri-
vance, and then he breathcd more freely
"No, no" he uttered, as he leaped
from the hold, "No, no--my men,
Do nothing rashly. Let me 60 into the
cabin first. You may follow me /"
Commodore Tucker stroke into the
cabiu, walked up to the bunk where
his passenger lay, and grasping hold
of the female dress, he dragged its
wearer out upon the floor. There was
sharp resistance, and the passenger
drew pistol, but it was quickly
knocked away-the gown was torn off,
and a man came forth from the rem
nants Of calico aud linen.
The fellow was assured that his whole
plot had been discovered, and at length
he owned that it had been his plan to
turn out in the course Of the night and
get hold of the ball Of twine, which be
had left in convenient place; then 10
have got into the boat, cut the falls,
and as the boat fell into the water, he
would have pulled smartly upon the
twine.
And | thiuk yon know, he contiu-
ued, with wicked look, .'what would
have followed. l shouldn't have been
noticed in the fuss-I'd have got out of
the way with the boat, aud you'd all
have been in the next world in short
order. And all / can say, is, that I'm
sorry ] didu't do it.
1t was with much difficulty that the
Commodore prevented his men from
killing the villain on the spot. He
proved to be one of the enems's officers,
aud he was to have heavy reward if
he succeeded in destroying the Commo.
dore and his crew.
The prisoner was carried on deck and
lashed to the main rigging, where he
was told to remain until the vessel got
in port.
"What horrid death that villain
meant for u.s." uttered Carter.
"Yes, he did, said Tucker, with a
shudder.
ale belongs 10 the same gang that's
been robbiu' aud burnin' the poor
folks houses on the eastern coast, said
one Of the men. a
YES" /" said the Commodore, with
nervous twitch Of the muscles about
his mouth. sl a.laais
A bitter curse from the prisoner here
broke upon the air, and with clutched
fist the Commodore went below.
In the morning when Tucker came
on deck, Seguin was IN sight upon the
starboard bow, but when he looked for
the prisoner he was gone.
Carter, where's the villain lashed
here last night?'
"Pm sure l don't know where he Is
Commodore Perhaps he's jumped
overheard"
The old Commodore looked steruly
in Carter's eyes, and be saw twinkle
Of satisfaction cleaning there. He