The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1869-09-10
CHAPTER II.


Before Ally Bell reached the brig lying al
the wharf, his uncle, Colonel Nichols, had
been there, and arranged with the Captain,
who went by the name OF Hiley, to carry
Ally off to China, for which service the
Colonel promised to give Ally the hrig and
ten thousand dollars, in case the bog neuer
came back. Hiey was o murderer, whose
real name was Sprouts, and Colonel Mich
OILS knew 1t. And Colonel Nichols had rob-
bed 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. s.
"Where is the lad?' be asked, as be and
Colonel Nichols finished drinking success to
their nefariOus schemes, to which the Cole
mel replied:
Gle should be here at this very moment.
Ah, hear his step on deck now! Here he
comes "
Even as he spoke Ally Bell came hurry
ing into the cabin, his face fushed with
pleasurable excitement.
SIN just in time to see you off, Captain
Hiley," he said, not noticing the guilty
looks Of bis cOEspirators. 'Tho wind is fair,
and tho crew anxious. a good voyage 10
you, Captain. Bring me some rare shells
when you return. They are for q little
|
Aye, aye, Mr.. Allen" responded the
Captain, heartily. "Didu't you see my col.
lection OF shells in yonder stateroom? No?
You are welcome to your choice Of them
all. SIR"
He advanced and flung open the state
room door,
Ally bent forwarl 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 adieu, and went ashore.
| Tho next minute the hurried tranpling
OF feet was blended with the songs of the
stout seomen, as the brig moved slowly
from the wharf towards the sea.
Ally's first thought, on finding himself
shut up in Captain Hiley's stateroom, was
that the two men were joking-merely iu.
tending to scare him little, and then let
him out; but te soon discovered that the
QucFstep-the brig was so named-had
lett her wharf, and was standing down tho
Elizabeth river towards the ocean.
The truth flashed upon himl
81 soc it ali.' he cried leapine to bis
feet "Hiley is taking me to sea with him
Captain Hiley," he shouted pounding ON
the WALL ''open the door, this minute! Let
me ont, or it will be bad for you!'
No reply was made to him no attention
paid 10 his cries.
lie saw that he was fast.
For moment he was stunned by the
knowledge Of bis situation.
Then he drew up his slight boyish figure
proudly, his eyes flashing defiance.
''The thing for me to do" he mused 81,
to help myself A boy who can't fight bis
own way will never be mani"
Drawing from his pocket match, o.
which he usually carried supply, he light
ed the candle in its box at one end of th,
staieroom.
II see" be mentally commented, looking
around in the light thus furnished. Here.
a whole dray load oil boxes and bundles
And here's canoon, too added Ally, ga
small one, which is expected, no douht, tc
bring big price from those simple natives
In the South Sea.
81 can use this thing" thought the boy,
with kindliDg eyes. Il have plenty of pow
der in my pocketr'
! lie had bought this powder just before b,
|, came aboard of the brig, for the expert
, mens he had promised to show Amy tina
very evening.
| Without more ado, Ally set about load ng
anu firing the little cannon as rapidly a.
! possible smashing the door, and calling on
for everybody to keep cut Of the way. Tat
, captain and crew were frantic with fear, at
there was large quantity of powder in The
sta'eroom, and tho prospect was that the
snip would be blown to atoms. Having
filled the statercom and cabin with smoke
} Ally seized one of the Captains revovers
burst open the shattered door, rushed upor
deck, and leaped into the river.
"Thunder aud lgbtning!" cried Hiley
startled beyond expression. ''After thu
boy, all OF you! Sitau himself is in him