Connecticut western news., 1871-09-08

tain, and only learned that he was confined by indisposition to his cot, the cause of this indisposition being only known to few; but 1 could see that the first mate, MT. Ray, looked more anxious than usual and taking the opportunity of being on deck one night, had long talk with my friend, to learn that the Captain only recovered from one fit to seek the means for bringing on another.
 "Pity we did not leave him behind alto gether," said at last.
 I've thought 50 a dozen times," said my friend, flor this sailing with madman on board does not suit my book"
 The days glided slowly by with varying weather. The hot attitudes were reached. There was a little horse-play as we crossed the line then a shark was caught, and at times a dolphin or bonito and at last, panting with the heat, we lay beneath the almost vertical sun, without breath of wind to fill the sails as they hung from the yards, the vessel gently rolling in the swell as the sea heaved and fell without so much as a ripple visible. Rough coverings were rigged up; but in spite of all that could be done to mitigate it, the heat was unbear able, beating down upon our heads, and reflected from the sea, which shone like a vast mirror of polished metal. Gaping seams, with the tar oozing forth, rails and stanchions so heated that hand could not be borne upon them, and the tween decks stitling as an oven, it was no wonder that we were constantly longing for the comparative cool of the night; but even then there was not time for the tempera- ture to grow much lower before the sun once more rose, each day apparently hotter than the last.
 We were seated one evening, watching the last glow of the setting sun, when Anderson, the second mate, made the re- mark that he thought change was con- ing and then our attention was taken up by MT. Ray passing close by us, and de scending as if to the Captains cabin.
 "How has he been to-day ?" I said, as MT. Ray disappeared.
 Worse than ever,'' was the reply. elf I were Ray, I'd make prisoner of him, and take sole command. He'd be quite justified in so doing."
 Further conversation was cut short by the reappearance of the mate, who beckoned hastily to my companion.
 Something wrong," he exclaimed, as he leaped to his feet; and quite as quickly l followed him to the hatchway.
 "Good heavens, Anderson p exclaimed MT. Ray, what's to be done2 He's raving mad" .-.
 "Have you no medicines ?'' I said.
 Medicines Yes; but how are we to deal with a man in his state2 Just listen."
 In effect, as he ceased speaking, there came from below the sound of breaking chairs, smashing glass, and a noise as oi some one leaplng from side to side of the cabin, followed by tremendous battering at the door.
 "I've locked him in," said Ray, "fo1 he's not fit to come on deck. But get help and we must secure him, and strap him into his cot"
 A short consultation was held /; and ther it was decided to call one of the old seamer sturdy, quiet man, and to do all as quiet ly as possible, so as not to alarm the rest l of the passengers and crew. Anderson fetched the old sailor, whC came rolling up, turning the lump of tobac co in his mouth and from his remark il was evident that he had been enlightened upon the business in hand. | "Ah," he growled, "what thing it Ii as any one will go on wasting precious liquors, and turning blessings into pisoa I knowed this would be the end of it."
 Don't preach, man," said Ray, angrily |" but come along. Now, look here" h,
 whispered, as we descended: 6 as soon as open the door, all step quietly in together
 He'll dash at us the same as he did at m while ago; but he can only tackle on man at once, so that while he is engaged
 the others must secure him.'
 We had hardly nerved ourselves for ou task, and the mate was holding up hi
 hand as a signal as he unlocked the door
 when we were staggered by the sharp re
 port of pistol, simultaneous with whic
 there was a dull thud close to my ear an
 I started back with the knowledge that
 bullet had just passed through the cabin
 door and whistled by my head. Then cam
 more pistol-shots, both of which passe
 through the panel of the door.
 need hardly say that we beat retrea
 directly; ald as we stood once more o
 deck, the first mate wiped the perspiratio
 from his forehead, and looked from one t
 the other, as much as to say, What shA we do?
 It was, indeed trying position and ft a few moments no one spoke. Then M Ray seemed to recover himself, and spok out firmly and quietly: "We should onl |. be casting away our lives if we were to g in now. The only plan can suggest IS { watch him through the skylight, and go when he is asleep"
 "I don't think he can do any mischief the meantilne,' said: " but we must sei1 him soon."
 "Mischiefp' said the old sailor dryl,
 "Well, dunno; but what if he keeps c f popping off that revolver thing W , shall be having bullet in among u powder, and blow-up." Powder ]" said.
 , Yes; in the magazine"
 Is there powder on board 2" I sai |, with strange tremor in my voice, as e turned to Anderson.
 = Yes, a heavy lot of it." he said huskil n and as he spoke, his eyes glanced involul
 tarily in the direction of the boats.
 Another shot made us all start and no ' passengers and crew began to collect, cage k ly asking what was wrong-question n though, which, in dread of rush at t. S boats, we forebore to answer.
 The peril, though, was indeed great, 0 in one small cabin, especially strengthene e for it's reception, large quantity of powd d was stored; and if one bullet happened - pass through, the chances were that tl S heat evolved in its passage would explo,
 it all, and in moment the whole vess e would be blown to atoms. e There were two courses oper to us e seize the boats at once, and push off, or D make bold and manly effort to subd S the madman, in whose hands our liv t seemed to hang.
 d The same feeling must have pervaded ; = our breasts as we stood looking at one a T. other, and then saw the old sailor wet h palms of his hands and rub them gent ], together.