New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-23
close by US, and descending as # to tn. Cap.

Show has he been to-day ?" asked.
"Worse than ever" was the reply. "f
were Ray, I'd make a prisoner of him, and
take sole command. He'd be quite justified
in so doing"
Further conversation was cut short by the
thy to my companion.
''Something wrong" he exclaimed, as he
leaped to his feet and as quickly followed
him to the hatchway.
"Good heavens, Anderson" exclaimed
Mr.. Ray, "what's to be done =? He's raving
mad"
"Have you no medicines ?'' l said.
medicines Yes; 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 as Of
some one leaping from side to side OF the
cabin, followed by a tremendous battering
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,
sturdy, quiet man, and to do all as quietly
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 tobacco in his
mouth; and from his remark it was evident
that he had been enlightened upon the bust
ness in hand.
''Ah," he growled, "what thing it is as
any one will go on wasting precious liquors,
and turning blessings into poison! 1knowed
this would be the end on it."
Don't preach, man." said Ray, angrily,
shut come along. Now, look here" he
I,vhi nc
open the door, all step quietly in together.
He'll dash at us the same as he did at ME
awhile 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 our
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 pis-
toll, simultaneous with which there was dull
thud close by my ear; and / started back
with the knowledge that a bullet had just
by my head. Then came a loud, harsh
laugh, followed by a couple more pistol-shots,
both of which passed through the panel of
the door.
need hardly say that we beat a retreat
| directly; 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.. Ray
seemed to recover himself, and spoke out
| firmly and quietly: "We should only be cast
| ing away our lives if we were to 60 in now.
The only plan can suggest is to watch
him through the skylight, and go in when ne
| is asleep"
II don't think he can do any mischief in
4 the mcantime,n said: "but we must seize
| him sOon."
"Mischiefv' said the old sailor dryly.
| swell, dunno but what if he keeps pop
ping Off that revolver thing? We shall be
having bullet in among the powder, and q
| blOw-up.o
| Powder ~ said.
| Eyes; in the magazine"
lis there powder on board ?" said, with
strange tremor in my voice, as turned to
Anderson.
| "Ycs, heavy lot of it," he said huskily
and as he spoke, his eyes glanced involun-
tarily in the direction of the boats.
Another shot made US all start and pas
| sengers and crew began to collect, eagerly
asking what was neutrality-suspicious., through
| which, in dread Of a rush at the boats, we
| fOrbore to answer.
| The peril, though, was indeed great, for in
one small cabin, especially strengthened for
|
| 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 a moment the whole vessel would be
blown to atoms.
There were two courses open to us /; to
seize the boats at once, and push of, or to
make bold and manly effort to subdue the
mailman, in whose hands our lives seemed
now to hang.
The same feelings must have pervaded all
our breasts as we stood looking at one
another, and then 1 saw the old sailor wet
| the palms of his hands and rub them gently
together.
1--WE must run in on him, Master Ray" he
SAID.
"Could 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 muir
der. We must dash in on him at all risks.
But what's that? Lookout /; he's coming on
| deck.o
As he spoke we heard the cabin door I'M
locked !; then the rafting of keys and the
| crashing of door, when Ray cautiously
peered down the hatch; and as he kneeled
| there gazing down, l could see tremor run
| ming through his whole frame, and when at
last he turned to us his voice was so husky as
to be almost inaudible, when he whispered
"He's got into the powder-room"
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 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 following 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"
The next moment there was q sound which
seemed to make every nerve in my body
thrill, and frankly own that had my limbs
obeyed my will 1 should have rushed on deck,
seized coop or grating, and leaped over the
side, for plainly enough to be heard came a
sharp cracking noise, and it wanted not the
mates voice to enlighten us as he Kissed out
"Lucifers !"
Here, quick, for Gods sake ~ 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
line-spikes, which were inserted Just as we
once more heard the crackle of match.
al i