The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-11-26

Half hidden by sundry hampers at the 1901
OF the maln-shrouds, Denny Breeze nad lis
tened to every word of this conversation.
"a general desertiOn, eh = saiu Oenn. W
himself, as he saw the perhdous sseo as n
becoming the centre OF little KNOT OF eager
men forward "This thing won't work, my
fine fellows"
nroceeding directly to the commanders state
room. The old sea-dog was just in the act of
turning in.
"You are pale"
"Perhaps have reason to be. Mr.. Bum
Gle and good share of the men are Matching
up plot to leave the schooner in the long
boat and make the islandr'
''What tonight
Eyes, sir-to-night. Now is our time,'
they say, while the old man is sleepingv"
The commander slipped nciseessly from
the cabin. and soon his voice was heard upon
the forecaste. The truth was he had waited
unseen and silent until the conspirators were
about to resort to the measure of getting out
the long boat, and then he had fallen upon
item with all the stern authority OF his posi-
ton and the still steiner authority of his
character.
A few minutes only the din lasted, and
then the commal der slipped back to the cab
in.
''rve fixed them," he muttered, as he rub
bed his hands gleefully together. 81 waited
till they were getting out the boat, and then
| went for them. You can imagine how
Buncie is cut up. Mr.. Skill is now in charge
| of things. Here, steward. -
| The steward Immediately responded to the
| call.
SNAKE me my usual favorite punch,' added
the commander, "and let us have it while it
is hot"
The steward bowed Understandings, and
ct about obeying the order
After remaining alone ia the cabin an hour
or two. musing intently upon all be had seen
in the direction OF the island, Denny B: eeze
again took his way to the deck, which seemed
to him snsulary dark and deserted.
The wind had freshened rotably. A chop
ping sea had arisen, and the vessel was labor
ing more than she had done Tor several days
preceding. The heavens were nearly OBJ
scured by mist of impending rain.
is it you, Pete ?" asked a voice, as Denny
emerged from the cabin.
Pete was the colored steward.
''No, it's ne-the passenger, Mr.. Breeze"
answered Denny.
"Oh. it you, eh?' said the voice, which
our hero now recognized as that of Mr.. Bun
Gle, Gan right, sir. 1 thought it was Pete!'
Advancing upon the deck, Denny Breeze
continued to look around him. waiting for
the schooner to tack forward again.
ga rough night, Mr.. Breeze"" said the
mate.
Eyes, sir, quite rough" he responded.
'sDo you know where the cap'n is?" was
the next gu stion of Buncle.
"Abed and asleep, sir"
do you know how sleepy he is? But OF
course you don't, and so / will tell you; he
| is as sleepy as a good dose of medicine can
make him.
"Do you mean to say he has been drug
| ged?' asked Denny.
| 'Thats just what mem to say. A good
| dose OF medicine was put in the punch Pete
made just before the old man turned in.'
1t was easy enough for Denny to see, by
| this time, that something wrong was taking
place-that at the very least the villainy he
had interrupted was gathering head again.
II know not why you tell me this" said
Denny, shut I know that I'll soon see for
myself if you are telling me the TRUTH
| He turned toward the cabin.
''Softly! One moment" said Bunkle, ad-
vancing nearer. want to speak word
further with you, my young gentleman
''Say on. thenp
"What have to say is this" said Buncle.
..Did you not tell Capt Morrison that 1, and
Tom and Bill, and some others of the crew,
were about to run away in the long-boat p
| Othuy was hOo PtOooCu WIN Vic SttudbiOu.
especially as several of the intended runaways
had gathered about him, but his was soul
inaccessible to fear, and he responded:
''Ye., told Captain Morrison OF your in
tended flight. What ofit?"
''You shall soon see, my young BANTAM
said Buncle, with suppressed passion. ''The
long-boat is in the wafer, duly provsioned
and stored, and we are ready to push off in
her."
"But Mr.. Skill?" cried Denny, looking
around excitedly. "Where is Mr.. Skill?"
He referred to the executive, in whose
charge Capt. Morrison had left the vessel
mir. Skill is bound hand and foot and
gagged iu the forecastle, as are several of the
men who took part with him." declared Bun
Gle with brutrl insolence.
Denny Breeze, at these words, bounded TO-
ward the cabin, shouting:
'More viainy, Captain Morrison! Help!
helpv'
He had scarcely finished this cry, when he
found himself intercepted by several pairs Of
hands and numerous fingers clutching his
throat.
Cup with him, bnysP' was the short but
| fateful command of Buncle.
1t was in vain that Denny, realizing the
horrible intention of hts enemies, essayed to
defend himself-all in vain He was lifted
clear of the deck in an instant, and hurled
over the bulwarks into the raging waters!