Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-29
NO. II.
IN A POWDER MAGAZINE.
[CoNrINUsD FROM YESTERDAY. !

In effect, as he ceased speaking, there
came from below the sound of breaking
chairs, smashing glass and a noise OF
some one leaping from side to side of the
cabin, followed by tremendous battering
at the door.
81 have locked him in," said Ray, "for
he Is not ut to come on deck. But get help
and we will secure him and strap him into
his cot"
a snort consultation was held, and then
IL was decided to call one of the seamen,
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 to.
bacco in his mouth, and from his remarks
1t was evident he had been enlightened
upon the business
"Ah, 'ht growled, "what thing it is as
any one will go on waiting precious liz.
uors and turning blessing into poison /
knowed this would be the end of it,"
Don't preach, man." said Ray, angrilv,
but come along. Now look here he
whispered, as weldesccnded, las soon as
open the door, all step quietly in together.
He'll dash at us the same as he dashed at
me while ago; but he can only tackle
one man at once, so that while he is en-.
gagged, the others must secure him.
We had hardly nerved ourselves for the
task, and the mate was holding up his hand
as signal as he unlocked the door, when
we were staggered by the sharp report of
pistol, simultaneously with which there
was a dull thud close to my ear, and
started back with the knowledge that a
bullet had Just passed through the cabin
door and whistled by my head. Then fol-
lowed a loud, harsh laugh followed by
couple more pistol shots, both of which
passed through the panel of the door.
l need hardly say that we beat retreat
directly, and as we stood once more on
deck, the first man wiped the perspiration
from his forehead and looked from one to
the other. as much as to say, "What shall
we do -
It was indeed trying position, and for
lew moments no one spoke. Then Mr..
quietly and firmly
"We shall only be casting away our
lives ii we were to go on now. The only
plan can suggest is to watch him through
the skylighl and go in when he is asleep"
II do not think he can do any mischief
in the mean time" said "but we must
seize him soon."
Mischief" said the old sailor drylv.
'Well, | dunno; but if he keeps on pop
ping off that revolver thing? We shall be
having bullet in among the powder and
then "a blow up"
Powder ?" | said.
'1es; in the magazine"
''ls there powder on board ?" l said
with strange tremor in my voice, as l
turned to Anderson.
''1es. heavy lot Of. it, " he said huskly;
and as he spoke he glanced involuntarily
in the direction of the boats.
Another shot made us all start, and now
passengers and crew began to collect,
eagerly asking what was wrong-Ques.
tons, though, which, in dread of rush
to the boats, we forebOre to answer.
The peril, though, was indeed great, for
IN one small cabin, especially strengthened
Tor ITS reception, large quantity ofpowder
was stored, and if one bullet happened to
pass through. the chances were that the
heat evolved in its passage would explode
1t all, and in 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 to
make bold and manly effort to subdue
the madman, in whose hands our lives
seemed to hang
The same feeling must have pervaded
all our breasts as we stood looking at one
another; and then | saw the old sailor
wet the palms of his hands and rub them
gently together.
I'VE must run in on him, Master Ray"
he said
Gould we not shoot him down through
the skylight ?" said the chief mate and
then, as if blushing at his own proposition,
he added hastily; mo, no that would be
like murder We must dash in upon him
at all risks. But what's that ? Look out
He is coming on deck"
AS he spoke, we heard the cabin door
unlock then the rafting of keys and the
crashing of door, when Ray cautiously
peered down the hatch and as he kneeled
there gazing down, could see tremor
running through his whole frame. and
when at last he turned to us, his voice
was so husky as to be almost inaudible.
''IIe has got into the powder room" he
exclaimed.
| shall never forget his countenanee AS
he gazed up at IT'S, tixed,-rigid, to de
gree. 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 followed him, but
only to find our progress arrested by the
closed door, which resisted all our efforts.
Listen" whispered Ray; and then he
continued; Good heavens, if he were to
fire now :"
Thenext 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 OH
deck, seized coop or grating, and leaped
over the side, for plainly to be heard came
il. sharp, cracking noise, and it wanted
not the mates word to enlighten us rs he
hissed, 'Lucifers'
Here, quick. for Gods sake!" ex-
claimed Anderson. Look here; we are
forcing the wrong way at the door,"
He dragged at 1t, but in vain. for few
minutes, Till, running on deck. the old
sailor returned in an instant with couple