Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1870-12-22
"Dye notice what'n eye she's got,
oontinnol Cartnr

NO." said Tucker; "only 'twa
swollen with tears !"
, my eyes ! but they shone, though
when she stood her looking at the com
pass.
Tucker smiled at the mans quain
earnestness, and went down into the
= cabin,
, When the woman came up from the
, hold, she looked about the deck Of the
schooner for few minutes, and then
went aft, There was something in heI
couutenance that puzzled Carter. lie
had been one of those who objected to
the coffin being brought on board, and
hence he was not dredisposcd to look
very favorably upon its owner.
The woman's eye run cr.the steamers
deck with a strange quickness, and
Carter eyed her very sharply.
Soon she went to the tafrail and
looked over at the stern boat, and then
she came and stood by the pinnacle
again.
"Look out, or you'll iibc the boom" "
uttered the passenger.
Garter started, and found the mansail
was shivering He gave the helm 4
couple Of spokes apart, and then cast
his eyes on the woman, whose features
were lighted up by the biunacle lamp.
"Thank'e, ma'am," said Dan. "Ha,
hold on-why, bless my soul, there's a
big spider right on your hair No
not there. Here-I'l-Ugh ~
The last ejaculation Dan made as he
seemed to phil something from the wo-
mans hair, which he threw upon the
deck with the ''ugh" above mentioned.
Shortly after this the passenger went
below, aud ere long Tucker came on
deck.
"Commodorc," said Garter, with a
remarkable degree of carnestness 10 his
manner, "is the old oman turned NJ"
II rather think So said Tucker, look
ing at the compass. 'Look out, look
out, Carter! Why, man alive, you're
two points to the southward of your
cour.c.'
"Blow me, so | am said the man,
bringing the helm smartly aport "But,
say, didn't ye notice anything peculiar
about the old 'oman?
"Why. Dan, you seem to be greatly
interested about her.
$50 | am, Commodore, and so am
about the coffin, too. Wouldn't il be
we'll for you and to overhaul it"
"Pshaw! ! yon are as scared as child
in a graveyard"
"No, not bit. Just hark Bit
The Commodore pronounced the name
Of his Satanic Majesty in the most en-
phatic manner.
'It's the truth Commodore-I can
swear to it. | purtended there was q
spider on her hair, and | rubbed my
hand agin her face. By Sam Hyde, if
it was not as rough and bearded as an
holy-stone. You see, she told me as
how I'd let the boom gibe if | didn't
look out. | Iknowd there was no oman
there, and so | tried her. Call some
body at the wheel, aud let's go and look
at that coffin
The Commodore was thunderstruck
by what he had heard, but with that
calm presence Of mind that made him
what he was, he set coolly to thinking.
In few minutes he called one OF the
men aft to relieve Garter and then went
below to look after his passenger. The
latter had turued in, and seemed to be
sleeping. Tucker returned and took
Garter one side. "No noise, now, Car
ter, follow me, as if nothing had hap
pened.'
"Sartiu."
The two approached The main hatch,
and stopped to raise it. when Dams
hand touched small ball that seemed
to have been pinned up uuder the after
break of the hatch.
'It's ball of twiue,' said he.
"Don't touch it, but run and get
lantern said Tucker.
Garter sprang to obey, and when be
returned, number had gathered about
the spot. The hatched was raised, and
the Commodore carefully picked up the
ball of twine, and found that it was
made fast TO something below. He de-
scended to the hold, and there found
that the twine ran in beneath the lid of
the coffin. He had no doubt in his mind
that there was mischief boxed up below,
and he sent Carter for something that
might answer for a screw. driver, The
men soon returned with stout knife,
and the Commodore set to work. He
worked away very carefully, however,
at the same time keeping sharp look
out at the string. AT length the screws
were out, and the lid lifted from its
place.
"Great God in Heaven" burst from
the lips Of the Commodore.
SPY Sam Hyde!" dropped like a
thunder clap from the tongue Of young
Dan.
"God bless you, Dan y said the Com