The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1871-11-01

il was enough to make any landsman
nervous as to our fate, should the heavy
weather continue; but there was still the
satisfaction of knowing that the two mates
were thorough sGamcn, and would, no
doubt, take upon themselves the manage
ment Of tie ship. should there be any real
danger. These feelings did not trouble me
long, for the weather again Frightening,
hope rose, and day after day glidcd pleas
antly by. We saw but little of the captain,
and only learned that he was confined by
indisposition TO his cot, the cause of this III
disposition being only known to few: but
| could see that the first mate, Mr.. Ray,
looked more anxious than usual; and taking
the opportunity Of being on deck one night,
[ had 4 long talk with my friend, TO learn
that the captain only recovered from one tit
10 seek the means for bringing on another.
PITY VI Gid not leave him behind alto
getber," l said at last.
"rve thought so dozen times said MY
friend, "for this sailing with u mailman on
board does not suit my book
The days glided slowly by with varying
weather. The hot ATTITUDES were reached.
There was 4 little hOrse-play as we crossed
the line then a shark was caught, and at
times a dolphin or bonito; and at last,
painting with the heat, we lay beneath the
almost vertical sun. without q breath of
wind to fill the sails rs they hung from the
yards, the vessel gently rolling in the swell
"SOmething wrong he exclaimed. 2Shc
icapcd to his feet; and gate as quickly |
followed him to the llatchway.
"Good heavens, Anderson :" exclaimed
Mr.. Ray, whats to be done? Hes rsying
mad"
Have yCu no medicines? q | said.
"NedicireS? Yes; but how are - ia
deal with I man in this state? J;St !iSt.n."
In effect, Is he ceased Speaking. there
came from below The sound OF lryahiEg
chairs, smashing glass, and 4 noise Is Of
some one lCapinE from sd" Ia side Of the
cabin, followed by a tremendous lait;r;ng
ut the door.
81 have locked him in said Ray" for
he's not iii To come on dtCk. Elt get hep.
and We must secure him ard strap hin, in.o
his cot
\ short consultation MIS- lrlt. AMI I'll, il it
waS decided to cali one Il the old -,tnicn, 4
sturdy quiet taan, and 10 do all n quietly as
possible, so as not to alarm the rest ni the
passengers and crew.
Anderson brought the cd sailor, who
came rolling ur, tanning the lump of to-
hacco in his mouth /; and from his remark il
WIS evident that he had been enlightened
upon the business in hand.
"Ah," he growlcd what 4 thing it is as
anyone will go on wasting precious Ii
" asaANh u laA4is tLAo Nv SUI.
| knowcd this would be the end on it.
Don't preach. man. said Ray angrily,
''but come along. Now look here" he whiS-
pcrCd, as w descended !: "aS soon as |
open the door. all step quietly in together.
He'll dash 1T us the same Il he did at me 4
While ago but he can only tackle one man
at once, So that while he is engaged, the
others must secure linn"
We had hardly ncrytd ourselves for our
r1SL 1,>.l flla1 ,,.tn ,t-p- tnl2inr ~, 49, Ia,l
is a signal as lie unlocked the door, when
We were staggered by the sharp report of Il
pistol, simultaneous with which there was a
dull thUd close 10 my car; and l started
back with the knowledge that a bullet had
just passed through the cabin door and
whIS!lcl by my head. Then came a loud.
harsh laugh, followed by q couple more pis-
tol shots. both Of which passed through the
panel Of the door.
l need hardly say that VIC beat a retreat
directly and rs We stood once more on
deci; the lirst-mate wiped the perspration
from his forehead, and looked from one TO
the other, IS much as to say, What shall
we do
1t WAS indeed 4 trying position, and for 4
few moments no one spoke. Then Mr.. Ray
seemed to recover himself, and spoke out
firmly aud quietly We should only be
casting away our lives if We were to 90 in
now: The only plaa l can suggest is 10
watch him through the skyli@ht, and 20 in
when he is aslecp.''
~ don't think he can do any mischief in
the meantime" said; but We must seize
him soon."
Mischief" said the old sailor drylv.
:" Well, l dunno, but what il he keeps on
popping off that revolver thing !, We shall
be having a bullet in amongst the powder,
and a blow-up."
:. Dnu-Iar %. 7 z.Gl /
"Yes in the magazine
SIS there powder on board:'I said with
a strange tremor in my voice, as | turned to
Anderson.
"Ies, a heavy bit of it, " he saii huskily;
and as he spoke his eyes glanced i%nvoluntar-
lily in the direction OF the boats.
Another shot made US all start and now
passengers and crew began to collect. ca
gerly asking what was wrou@-questious.
though which. in dread Of the rusl, at the
boats, we foreborc to ans yer.
Tx peril, though, was indeed great, for
in one small cabin, especially strengthened
for its reception. a large quantity OF powder
was stored !; and if one bullet happened to
pass through, the chances were that the
heat involved in its passage would explode
it all, and in a momen the whole vessel
would be blown to atoms.
There were two courses open to rs 20
SCiLC Nv pOdiS i oACC. am push Oh. OF
to make a bold and manly effort to subdue
the mailman, in whose hands our lives SEEM
ed now to hang.
The same feeling must have pervaded all
our breasts rs we stood looking at one an
other, and then | saw the old sailor wet the
palms OF his hanl5 and rub them gently to-
ave must run in on him, Master Ray"
he said.
Gould W. not shoO5 him down through
the skylight?' said the chief mate; and
then. as if b!usling at his proposition,
he added hastilv-"N No, no; that would be
like murder. We must dash in OH him at
risks. Bat whats that? Look cut; he's
on deck
AS he spoke, We heard the cabin door um-
then the rafting OF keys and the
crashing of a door, when Ray cautiously
pecred down the hatch; and as he kneeled
there, gazing down, l could see a tremor
through his whole frame. and when
At last he turned to us, his voice was so
husky az to be almost %inaudible, wI,ru he
whispered: Hes got into the l..vdcr
shall never forget his count.nanco Is lie
.aZed up at us-iixed, rigid to 4 degree.
Il few moments horror AMI dread of
impending death seemed to have robbed ;
lin of all power. Then he spraug up, the {
nan once more. {
Quick" lie exclaimed, lJryour ljvcs,.r !
Then leading the way, he dashed down |
lie cabin stairs, We following HIM, bat I
tn find prIr prnOrasc arra.taI by tho \