Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-01-24

make a bold and manly effort 70 subdue the
mailman, in whose hands our lives seemed to
hang.
The same feeling must have pervaded all
our breasts as we stood looking at one anoth-
err and then saw the old sailor wet the
palms of his hands and rub them gently to-
gether.
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 II blushing at his own proposition,
he added hastily; mo, no that would be
Ike murder. We must dash in upon him at
all risks. But what's thatP Look? He is
coming on deck"
As he spoke we heard the cabin door un.
locked then the rattling Of keys and the
crashing ola 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 room |" he
exclaimed.
| shall never forget his countenance as he
gazed up at US, 6xed,-rigid, to a degree.
For few moments, horror and dread Of i'm.
pending 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 followed 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 a sound which
seemed to make every nerve in my body
thrill, and | frankly own that had my limbs
obeyed my will, should have rushed on
deck, seized coop or grating, and leaped
over the side, for plainly to be heard came a
sharp, cracking noise, ana it wanted not the
mates word to enlighten us as he Kissed,
Matches :"
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 few
minutes, till, running on deck, the old sailor
returned in an instant with a couple of mar
lin.spikes, which we inserted just as we once
more heard the cracking Of match.
Quick it's for dear life! !" cried Ray,
and the door crashed, gave way and few
open, to reveal to us, standing perfectly un.
moved by our forcibe entry the captain,
holding lighted splint to an iron-bound
chest, which was already blackencd and
charred at the edge.
For few moments we could none of us
stir. 1t seemed as il on the slightest motion
on our part the chest-whch | afterward
learned was filed with cartridges for the
supply of one of the petty armies engaged in
the Paraguayan war-would explode, fol.
lowed by other chests and kegs piled around
Then came the captains low chuckling laugh,
and we heard him say -
This will drive you out, then, strong as
you are"
Then with a gesture of impotence, he
threw down the burnt-out splint, took n fresh
match from the box he held, and was about
to strike it, when, with cry that did not
sound human, Anderson lcaped upon him,
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 con.
fined to the securing Of the matchbox, which
| tore from his hand, trembling as did So
lest it should explode. Then came the loud
painting breathing of the wretched man as
held down by our four strong men, he bowed
his body up again aud again with power
that was almost superhuman.
But the danger was now passed and
without losing a moment, We dragged him
out into his own cabin. Water was abund.
antly applied to the charred side Of the tox
and Mr.. Rays first net was to make the car.
penter screw up the door in way that re.
stored 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 foI
fully half an hour.
Constant watching, binding, and the use oil
potent drugs placed the captain out of the
reach Of means to place us again in peril
But though breeze sprang up the next day
and our wel.managed ship prosperously fin
ished her voyage, never laid down to SLEEP
the rest Of the time without a shudder, and
never once dropped of without waking with
a start from a horrible dream of seeing the
captain matchbox in his hand, applying q
light to the edge Of the cartridge chest
Chambers Jouraql.
THE INCEST WIDOW IN THE
BLUE GRASS REGION.