The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-11

task, and the mate was holding I'D his hand
as signal as he unlocked the door. when we
were staggered by sharp report of pistol,
simultaneously with which there was dull
thud close TO my ear, al d started back with
inc knowledge that bullet had just passed
.lrougn the cabin door and whistled by my
mead. Then followed 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 a retreat di-
rectly and as we stood once more on deck,
the first mate wiped the perspiration from his
forehead and looked from one to the other, as
much as to say, ''What shall we do?''
1t was indeed trying position, and for a
few moments no one spoke. Then Mr.. Raw
seemed to recover himself, and said quietly
and firmly
I'VE should only be casting away our lives
II we were to go in now. The only plan l
can suggest is to watch him through the sky-
light and go in when he is asleep"
Il don't think he can do any mischief in
the mean tsme, ~ said; ''but we must seize
him soon."
''NIischiefr' said the old sailor drylv.
"Well, dunno; but what if he keeps on pop
ping of that revolver thing? We shall he
having bullet in among the powder. and
then blow up"
''Powder?" L said
Yes; in the magazine
rs there powder on board p' said, with a
strange tremor in my voice, as turned to
Anderson.
Yes, heavy let of it, he said huskiIy:
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-questiOns, though,
which of y-,cb TO he
fOrbore to answer.
The peril, though, was indeed great, for in
one small cabin, especially strengthened for
its reception, large quantity of powder was
stored, and if one bullet happened to pass
through, the chances were that the heat
evolved in its passage would explode it all,
and in moment the whole vessel would be
blown to atoms.
These 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
mailman, in whose hands our lives seemed to
hang.
The same feeling must have pcrvaded all
our breasts as We stood looking at one anoth-
er; and then L saw the old sailor wet the
palms of his hands and rub them gently to-
gether.
I'VE must run in on him, Master Ray" he
said.
Could we not shoot him down through the
sllylight?" 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 I'M
locked; then the rafting of keys and the
crashing of door, when Ray cautiously peer
ed 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.
He has got into the powder roomp' he
exclaimed.
shall never forget his countenance as he
gazed up at us, fixed, rigid, to degree. For
few moments, horror and dread of impending
death seemed to have robbed him of all DOW
er. Then he sprang up, the man once more.
quick he exclaimed, ''for your lives p'
linen leading the way he dashed down the
cabin stairs We followed him, but only to
hnd our progress arrested by the closed door.
which resisted ali our efforts.
Listen p whispered Ray and then he con-
tilued; "Good heavens. if he were to fire
nowv'
The next moment there was a sound which
seemed to make every nerve in nv body
thrill and frankly own that hadmy limbs obey-
ell my will, l should have rushed on deck.
seized coop or grating, and leaped over the
side, for plainly to be heard came sharp,
cracking noise, and it wanted not the mates
word to enlighten us as he Kissed ssLucifers p'
"Here, quick, for Gods sakep' exclaimed
Anderson. "Look here; we are forcing the
wrong way at the door,
He dragged at it, but in vain, for a few
minutes, till, running on deck, the old sailor
returned in an instant with couple of mar
Ine-splkes, which were inserted just as we
once more heard the cracking of a match.
Quick! it's for dear lifep' cried Raw.
ana the door crashed, gave way and flew
moved by our forcible entry, the CAPTAIN.
holding a lighted splint to an iron-bound
chest, which was already blackened and
charred at the edge
FOR few moments we could none of MS
stir. 1t seemed as if on the slightest motion
on our part, the chest-whch 1 afterward
learned was filled with cartridges for the sun
ply OF one of the petty armies engaged in the
faraguayan war-would explode, followed by
other chests and kegs piled around. Then
came the captains low chuckling laugh. and
we heard him say
you are" y
Then, with gesture of Impotence he
threw down the burnt-out splint, took a fresh
ihdtCn from Cne DOx ne held, and was about
to strike it, when, with a 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 lips to the charred and
smoking edge of the chest
The captain was not stunned, though: and
directly after, fearful struggle took place
amid these kegs, my part being confined to
the securing of the matchbox, which tore
from his hand, trembling as l did so, lest it
should explode. Then came the loud pant
ing breathing of the wretched man, as held
down by four strong men, he bowed his body
up again and again with power that was d.
most superhuman.
But the danger was now passed; and with
OUT losing moment, we dragged hin out in
70 ms own cabin. Water was Abundantly
applied to the charred side of the box; and
MI. hays hrst act was to make the carpenter
screw up the door in way that restored con-
ndence as every screw was driven in. | say
his first act; for his second was to sit down
on the deck and cover his face with his
hands, and remain ID that position for fully
half an hour. a t%
Constant watching binding and the Use of
potent drugs placed the captain out of the
reach of means to place us again in peril
But though breeze sprang up the next dav.
and our well-managed ship prosperously fin,
shed her voyage, l never Law down to sleen
The rest of the time without a shudder. and |
never once dropped off without waking with |
start from horrible dream of seeing the |
,aptain, match box in his hand, applying a |
lght to the edge of the cartridge Chest |
Chambers Journal.