Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-09-14

peered down the hatch and as he kneeled
there gazing down, / could see a tremor
running through his whole frame, and when
at list he turned to us, his voice was so
husky as to be almost inaudible, when he
whispered; "He's got into the powder
roomW
shall never forget his countenance as
he gazcd up at us fixed--rigid to degree.
For few moments, horror, and dread OF
impending death seemed to have robbed
him of all power. Then he sprang up, the
man once more"
"Quick !" he exclaimed "for your lives"
Then leading the way, he dashed down
the cabin stairs, we following him, but only
to find our progress arrested by the closed
door, which resisted all our efforts.
"Listenw whispered Ray; and then he
continued: "Good heavens, if he were to
fire now ~
The next moment there was sound
which seemed to make every nerve IN my
body thrill, and frankly own that had my
limbs obeyed my will, | should have rushed
on deck, seized coop or grating and leaped
over the side, for plainly enough to be
heard came sharp cracking noise, and it
wanted not the mates word to enlighten
us as he Kissed out Lucifers"
"Herc, quick, for Gods sake |" exclaim-
ed Anderson. "Look here; we are forcing
the wrong way at the door,"
He dragged at it, but in vain, for few
minutes, till, running on deck, the old
sailor returned in an instant with couple
of marline-spikes, which we were inserting
Just as we once more heard the crackle OF
a match.
"Quick it's for dear lfew cried Ray,
and the door crashed, gave way and flew
open, to reveal to us, standing perfectly
unmoved by our forcible entry, the Captain,
holding lighted splint to an outbound
chest, which was already blackened and
charred at the edge.
For few moments we could none OF us
stir. 1t seemed as if at the slightesl
motion on our part, the chest-which |
aftcrwardle learned was filled with cartridges
for the supply of one of the petty armies
engaged in the Paraguayan war-would
explode, followed by the other chests and
kegs piled around Then came the Cap
tain's low chuckling laugh, and we heard
him say This will drive you out, then,
strong as you are"
Then, with gesture of Impotence, he
threw down the burnt out splint, took d
fresh match from the box he held, and was
about to strike it, when, with cry that
did not sound human, Anderson leaped
upon him, and with one tremendous blow
struck him down, trampling on him the
next moment as he applied his moist lip;
to the charred and smoking edge of the
chests.
The Captain was not stunned though
and directly after fearful struggle took
place amid these kegs, my part being con
fined to the securing of the matchbox
which | tore from his hand, trembling as
did so lest it should, explode. Ther
came the loud painting breathing OF the
wretched man, as held down by four strong
men, he bowed his body up again and agar
with a ROVER that was almost superhuman
, But the danger was now passed anc
without losing moment, we dragged hin
out into his own cabin. Water was abun
, dainty applied to the charrcd side of thu
, box; and Mr.. Rays first act was to MAKE
f the carpenter screw up the door in way
, that restored confidence as every screw wa
, driven in. | say his first act; for hi
second was to sit down on the deck anc
r cover his face with his hands, and remail
=, in that position for fully half an hour.
/ Constant watching, binding, and the us
of patent drugs placed the Captain out q
\ the reach ofmeans to place us again in perl
4 But though breeze sprung up the mex
: day, and our well-managcd ship prosper
t ously finished her voyage, l never la.
down to sleep the rest of the time withou
o shudder, and never once dropped Of
: without waking with start from horri
t BILE dream of seeing the Captain, match-bo
in hand, applying light to the edge
the cartridge hest.-ChamberS' Journal.