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

my friend, to learn that the captain
only recovery from one fit to seek the
means for bringing on another.
"Pity we did not leave him behind
altogether, l said at last.
GIVE thought so q dozen times"
said my friend, "for the sailing with a
mailman on board does not suit my
book"
The days glided slowly by With vary
ing weather. The hot latitu, s were
reached. There was little horse-play
as we crossed the line; then a shark
was caught, and at times dolphin or
donito; and at last, painting with the
heat, we lay beneath the almost VERT.
cal rays of the sun, without breath of
wind to fill the sails as they fell from
the yards, the vessel gently rolling in
the swell as the sea heaved and fell
without as much as a ripple visible.
Rough coverings were rugged up; but
in spite of all that could be done to
mitigate it the heat was unbearable,
beating down upon our heads and re-
Elected from the sea, which shune like
vast mirror of polished metal Gap
ing seams with the tar oozing forth,
rails and stanchiOns SO heated that a
hand could not be borne upon them, it
was no wonder that we were constantly
longing for the comparative cool of the
night; but even then there was not
time for the temperature to grow much
lower before the sun once more rose,
each day apparently hotter than the
last.
We were seated one evening watch
ing the last glow of the setting sun,
when Anderson, the second mate, made
the remark that he thought a change
was coming, and then our attention
was taken up by Mr.. Ray passing close
to us and descending as if to the cap
tain's cabin.
"How has he been to-day ~ 1 said,
as Mr.. Ray disappeared.
Worse than ever was the reply
+" If were Ray I'd make prisoner of
him and take sole command He'd be
quite justified in doing SO. ."
Further conversation was cut short
by the appearance of the mate, who
beckoned hastily to my companion.
Something wrong" he exclaimed
as he leaped to his feet, and quite as
quick l followed him to the hatch
way.
''Good Heavens, Anderson 20 exclaim-
ed Mr. Ray, "what is to be done ? He
is raving mad ?"
Have you no medicines 2" asked.
Medicines Yes F; but how are we
to deal with man in his state Just
listen.'
In effect, as he ceased speaking, there
came from below the sound OF breaking
chairs, smashing glass and noise of
some one leaping from side to side of
the cabin, followed by tremendous
battering at the door.
have locked him in said Ray,
g for he is not fit to come on deck. But
get help and we will secure him and
strap him into his cot. ]"
A short consultation was held, and
then it was decided to call one Of the
seamen, a steady, quiet man, and to do
all as quietly as possible, 50 as not to
alarm the rest of the passengers and
crew
Anderson fetched the old sailor. who
came rolling up, turning the lump of
tobacco IN his mouth, and from his re-
marks 1t was evident that be had been
enlightened upon the business on
hand,
All, " he growled, "what thing it
is as any one will go on wasting pre-
cious liquors and turn blessings into
poison. [ knowed that this would be
the end of it,
" Don't preach, man." said Ray an
grily, "but came 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
tue same as he dashed 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 nerved ourselves for
the task, and the mate was holding I'D
his hand rs a signal as he unlocked the
door, when VIZ staggered by The sharp
report vi pistol, simultaneously with
which there was . dill thad close 10
my ear, and 7 started back with the
knowledge that bullet had Just come
through the cabin door and whistled by
my head. Then followed a loud harsh
laugh followed by couple more pistol
shots, both Of wh'ch passed through
the panel of the ucor.
l need hardly say that NE beat a re-
treat directly and. rs We stood oncs
more on deck the first mate wiped the
perspiration from his forehead and
looked from one to the other, as much
as to say, '.Wbat shall ] do %
It was indeed trying position, and
for few moments no one spoke. Then
Mr.. Ray seemed to recover himself, and
SAID quietly and firmly:
b" We should only be casting away
our lives 1t we were to go in now. The
only plan | can suggest is TO watch him
throneh the shAEsht aid 30 III Htleii
he is asleep"
" [ don't think lie can do any mis-
chief in the meantime" | said "but
we must seize HIM soon"
a" Well, [ dunno but what if he
keeps on popping Of that revolver
thing We shall lie has ing bullet in
snloilg the powder, and blow up
" Powder 2" ] said.
Yes, heavy lot of it, he said busk-
lily; and as he spoke he glanced invoI-
UNFAIRLY in the direction of the boats"
Another shot niada Il, all start. and
how passengers and crew began to col
lect, eagerly asking what was wrong
questions, though, which, in dread of
rush to the boats, we forbade to an
swer
The peril, though, was indeed great,
for in one small cabin, especially
strengthened for It's reception, large
quantity of powder was stored. and if
one bullet happened to pass through.
the chances were that the heat evolved
In It's passage would explode it all. and
IN moment the whole vessel would be
blown to atoms.
There were two courses open to US