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

hIucTSOH Jlle Sc-Ollu lluIC, lnaNS WV ~
mark that he thought change was COM
ing and then our attention was taken up
by Mr. Ray passing close by us, and de-
scending as if to the Captains cabin.
Chow has he been to-day /" said, as
Mr.. Ray disappeared
"Worse than ever" was the reply. eff
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 temperance of the mate, who
beckoned hastily to my companion.
Something wrong" he exclaimed, as he
lcaped to his feet; and quite as quickly 1
followed him to the hatchway,
"Good heavens, Anderson ~ exclaimed
Mr. Ray, "what's to be done He's raving
mad"
"Have you no medicines ?" I said.
"Medcines e? Yes but how are we to
deal with man in his state2 Just
listen"
In effect, as he ceased speaking, there
came from below the sound of breaking
chairs, smashing glass, and noise as of
some one leaprng from side to side of the
cabin, followed by tremendous gathering
at the door.
"I've locked him in," said Ray, for
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 then
it was decided to call one of the old seamen
a sturdy, quiet man, and to do all as quiet
ly as possible, so as not to alarm the rest
of the passengers and crew.
Anderson fetched the old sailor, who
came rolling up, turning the lump of tobac-
co in his mouth; and from his remark it
was evident that he had been enlightened
upon the business in hand.
"Ah," he growled, "what thing it is
as any one will 90 on wasting precious
liquors, and turning blessings into pison
| knowed this would be the end of it,"
"Don't preach, man." said Ray, angrily,
, "but come along. Now, look here" he
whispered, as we descended: "as soon as
open the door, all step quietly in together.
He'll dash at us the same as he did at me
while ago; but he can only tackle one
man at once, so that while he is engaged,
= the others must secure him."
We had hardly nervcd ourselves for our
, task, and the mate was holding up his
! hand as a signal as he unlocked the door,
when we were staggered by the sharp re,
port of pistol, simultaneous with which
there was dull thud close to my ear and
started back with the knowledge that a
, bullet had just passed through the cabin
, door and whstled by my head Then came
: a loud, harsh laugh, followed by couple
] more pistol-shots, both of which passed
through the panel Of the door,
+ need hardly say that we beat retreat
! directly; aid as we stood once more on
deck, the first mate wiped the perspiratior
= from his forehead, and looked from one t.
y the other, as much as to say, What shAl
h we do?
+ 1t was, indeed trying position; and fol
n few moments no one spoke. Then Mr.
;. Ray seemed to recover himself, and spoke
out firmly and quietly: ave should only
4, be casting away our lives if we were to e
i in now. The only plan can suggest is tt
q watch him through the skylight and go il
A when he is asleep"
81 don't think he can do any mischiefil
the meantime" | said; "but we must seiz
- him soon."
= "Mischiefr' said the old sailor dryly
Il "Well, | dunno; but what if he keeps OF
- popping off that revolver thing ? W.
~ shall be having bullet in among thu
y. powder, and blow-up."
;, "Powderp ' said
i eyes; in the magazine"
q "Is there powder on board ?" ] said
II with a strange tremor in my voice, as
Il turned to Anderson.
% "Yes, heavy lot of it" he said huskily
u and as he spoke, his eyes glanced inyolun
tarily in the direction of the boats.
it Anothershot made us all start and nov
o passengers and crew began to collect, eager
d y asking what was wrong-questons
Is though, which, in dread of rush at TIA
IN boats, we forebore to answer.
The peril, though, was indeed great, 70
- in one small cabin, especially strengthened
lc for its reception, a large quantity of powde
e. was stored; and if one bullet happened t
in pass through, the chances were that tn
heat evolved in its passage would cxplod
it all, and in moment the whole vesse
W would be blown to atoms.
TX There we're two courses open to us; t
N seize the boats at once, and push off, or t
is make bold and manly effort to subdu
, the mailman, in whose hands our live
10 seemed to hang.
,e The same feeling must have pervaded a
Id our breasts as we stood looking at one ar
e. other, and then saw the old sailor wet tn
is palms of his hands and rub them gent
together.
re ave must run in on him, Master Ray,
,e he said"
he "Could we not shoot him down throug
IN the skylight 2" said the chief mate; an
as then, as if blushing at his own proposition
OF he added hastily: "No, no that would
I'd like murder. We must dash in on him
v all risks. But what's that2 Look out
n he's coming on deck"
tn As he spoke, we heard the cabin doc
il, unlocked; then the rafting of keys and tn
IL crashing of n door when Raw cautiOusl