The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-10-14

one bullet happened to pass through,
chances were the heat involved in its
passage would explode it all, and In a
moment the whole vessel would be
blown to atoms.
There were two courses open to us !;
to seize the boats at once, and push off,
or make a bold and manly effort to
subdue the mailman, in whose hands
our lives seemed now to hang.
The same feeling must have pervaded
all our breasts as we stood and looked
at one another, and then [ saw the old
sailor wet the palms Of his hands and
rub them gently together.
I'VE must run III on him, Master
Ray" he said
"Could we not shoot him down
though the skylight2n SAID the chief
mate and then, as if blushing at his
own proposition, he added hastily:
:. No, no; that would be like murder
We must dash in on him ut al risks
But what's that Look out he's com
ing on deck"
As he spoke, we heard the cabin door
unlocked: then the rafting of keys and
|
tiously teered down the hatch and rs
he kneeled there gazing down / could
see tremor running through his whole
frame, and when at last he TUNED to
us, his voice was so husky as to be al
most inaudible, when be whispered
"He's got into the powder-rooin
] shall never forget his colntenauce
as he gazed up at us with his eyes fixed
rigid to degree For few moments
horror and dread OF impending death
seemed to have robbed HIM of Ill pow
er. Then he sptang zip, The nan once
more.
"Quick." he exclaimed, q for your
lives -
Then leadfng the way, he dashed
down the cabin stairs, we following
him, but only to find our progress ar
rested by the closed door, which resist.
ed all our efforts
Listen !" whispered Ray; and then
he continued: Good heavens, # he
were to fire new"
The next moment theie WAS i sound
which scented TO make every nerve III
my body thrill. ahd I frankly own that
had my limbs oheyed my viii, | should
have rushed on deck, seized coop or
grating, and leaped over the side for
plainly enough to be heard came a
sharp cracking noise, and IT wanted
not the mates word 10 enlrghtcn us as
J he Kissed out, "Luciiers -
Here. QUICK, for Gods sabeln OK
claime1 Anderson look here we
) are iorciug the wrong way the door -
: He dragged at it, but in vain, for a
few minutes, till running on deck, the
old sailor returned iii an instant with u
: couple Of marine spikes, which We're
inserted lust as we once more heard
the crackle Of Il match
Quick it's for dear life cried
Ray; and the door crushed, gave way,
and flew open, to reveal "a ~, standing
perfectly unmoved by our forciblc en-
try, the captain holding lighted splint
to an non bound chest, which was
already blackened aud charred at the
edge.
For few moments we could none of
us stir. IL seemed as if ut the slightest
motion on our part. the chest when !
afterwards learned was filled with car
fridge, for the supply of one OF the
petty armies engaged III the Paraguay
an war, would explode, followed by
the other chests and kegs piled around.
Then came The captains low, chuckling
laugh, and we heard linn say, This
will drive you ont, then, strong rs you
are
Then with a gesture of Impotence,
he threw down the hurnt-out splint,
took q fresh match from the box ne
held, and vas about TO strike il, when
I n ~ liza Il a
Anderson ieaped upon him, and, with
one tremendous blow, struck him down,
trampled on him the next moment, and
applied his moist lips to the charred
and smoking edge of the chest
The captain was not stunned, though ::
and directly after, q fearful struggle
took place amid these kegs, my part
beng confined to the securing OF the
match box, which | tore from his han0,
trembling as | did 50. lest Il should cy~
plode. Then came the loud painting
breathing of the wretchcd man, as held
down hy four strong men, he bowed
his body mp again and again with a
power t hat was almost surerhrman.
But the danger was now passed, aud
without losing q moment, We dragged
him out into his own cabin Water
was ahuIl'lahllN aplllSt 10 III" tn'ftEN
side of the box; and Mr.. Rly s tir=t act
was to make the carpenter screw M the
door IN way that restored confidence
rs every screw was driven n. ! say his
first act for his second Wa to sat down
on the deck and cover lus face with hla
/ hands. and remain III that position fer
! fully half an hour
Constant watching. binding and the
use OF potent drugs. placed the captain
out OF the reach of means to place us
again III peiil. But though a breeze
sprung Mp the next day, and ON we'll
managed ship prospeIouslv finished
| her voyage, | never lay down IT, deep
the rest of the time without \ shndder
and never once dropped oft without
waking with start from a horrible
dream OF seeing the captain, matchbox
IN hand, applying a light TO the edge 81
the cartridge chest I toRj,E5 ,iolU-
nat.
The Rush TO the African Diamond t,esds, |