The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-03-09


as he gazed up at us, fixed-rigid. to a
degree. For a few moments honor and
dread of impending death seemed to
have robbed him of all power. Then
he sprang up, the man once more.
"Quick," he exclaimed 81 for your
lives ~
Then, leading the way, he dashed
down the cabin stairs. We followed
him, but onlyt find our progress ar
rested by theclosed door, which resist
ed all our efforts.
Listen !" whispered Ray; then he
continued: "Good heavens, if he
were to fire low"
The next moment there was IL sound
which seemed to make every nerve in
my body thrill, and l frankly own that
had my limbs obeyed my will, should
have rushed IN deck, seized coop OF
grating, and baped over the side, for
plainly to be heard came sharp
cracking noise and it wanted not the
mans word toenlighten us as he Missed
g Lucifers !"
Here, quIk, for Gods sake !" ex-
| claimed Anderson. "LoOk here: we
are forcing ihe wrong way at the
| door"
He dragged at it, but in vain, for a
few minutes, I'll, running on deck, the
old sailor returned in an instant with a
couple of malline-spikes, which were
inserted just as we once more heard
the cracking IF match.
"Quick IFS for dear life - cried
Ray, and the loor crashed, gave way
and flew open, to reveal to us standing
perfectly unmved by our forceible en-
try the captaii holding lighted splint
to an iron bor~ chest, which was al.
ready blacke j and charred at the
edge.
For few moments we could none of
us stir. Itseemed as if on the slight.
est motion on our part, the chest
which | dterward learned was filled
with cartridges for The supply of one OF
the petty armies engaged in the Para
guayan w.r-would explode, followed
by other chests and kegs piled around.
Then came the captains low chuck
ling laugh, and we heard him say
"This will drive you out, then, as
| strong as you are"
Then, with a gesture of Impotence,
he threw kowh the burnt out splint,
| took fresh match from the box he
held, and was about to strike it, when.
with coy that did not sound human,
and with one tremendous blow struck
him down tranpllng on him the next
moment as he applied his moist Ii pa to
the charred and smoking edge of the
chest.
The captain was not stunned, though 4;
and directly after fearful struggle
took place amid these kegs, my part
being confined to the securing of the
match boy, which l tore from his hand
trembling as / did so, lest it should
explode. Then came the loud painting
breathing of the wretched man rs, held
down by bur strong men, he bowed
his body up again and again with q
power that was almost superhuman.
But the danger was now passed and
| without losing a moment, we dragged
him into his own cabin. Water was
| abundantly applied to the charred SIDE
Of the box; aud Mr.. Rays first act was
to make the carpenter screw up the
door in way that restored confidence,
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 in that
position for fully half al hour
Constant watching, bingding, and the
uBa If patent DRUGS placed the captain
out of the reach of means to place us
again in peril.
But though a breeze sprung up next
day, and our well managed ship pros
perously finished her voyage, | never
lay down to sleep the rest of the time
without shudder, and never once drop
ped off without waking with start
from a horrible dream of seeing the
captain, matchbox IN hand applying a
light to the edge of the cartridge chest