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

should there be any real danger. The feel |
ing did not trouble me long, for, the weather
again Frightening, hope rose, aid day after
day glided pleasantly by. We saw but little
Of the captain, and only learned that he was
confined to his cot by indisposition, the cause
of this indispOsitlon being only kn1w to
few; but could see that the first mate,
Mr.. Ray, looked more anxious than usual,
and, taking the opportunity Of being on deck
one night, | had long talk with my friend,
to learn that the captain ouly recovered from
one ct to seek the means Of bringing on an
other.
Pity we did not leave him behind alto.
gether," l said at last.
i've thought so dozen times, said my
friend, for the sailing with a madmOu on
board does not suit my book"
The days glided slowly by with varying
weather. The hot ATTITUDES we're reached
There was little horse.play as we crossed
the line then shark was caught, and at
times a dolphin or bonito and at last, pant
ing with the heat we lay beneath the al
most vertical rays of the sun, without a
breath Of wind to fill the sails as they hung
from the yards, the vessel gently rolling in
the swell as the sea heaved and fell without
as much as ia 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 reflected from the sea, which shone like
a vast mirror of polished metal. Gaping
seams with the tar ooling forth, rails and
stanchions so heated that hand could not
be borne upon them, /; 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, watching 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 by us and descending as it to the cap
tains cabin.
How has he been to-day ?" | said, as
Mr.. Ray disappeared.
Worse than ever" was the reply. "lf
| were Ray Id make prisoner of him and
take sole command. He'd he quite justified
in doing So"
Further conversation was cut short by the
appearance Of the mate, who beckoued hasti-
ly to my companion.
" Something wrong he exclaimed as he
leaped to his feet, and quite as quick fol-
lowed him to the hatchway,
GOOD heavens, Anderson :" exclaimed
Mr.. Ray, what is to be done? He is raw
ing mad ~
&" Have you no medicines p | asked.
" 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 Of some
one leaping from side to side of the cabin,
followed by tremendous battering at the
door.
a have locked him iu, said Ray, " 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,
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 remarks it was evil
dent that he had been enlightened upon the
business in hand
All" he growled, what thing it is as
any one will go on wasting precious liquors
and turning blessings into poison knowed
this would be the end of it."
Don't preach, man" said Ray, augrily,
but come along. Now look here he whis
pered, as we descended as soon as | open
the door, all step in quietly together. He'll
dash at US the same as be dashed at me
while ago; but he can only tackle one man
at once, so that while he is engaged the 9th.
ers must secure him."
We had hardly nerved ourselves for the
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 a
pistol, simultaneously with which there was
dull thud close to my ear, and | started
back with the knowledge that bullet had
Just passed through the cabin door and wits.
tied by my head. Then followed loud,
sharp laugh, followed by couple more
pistol shots, both of which passed through
the panel of the door.
| need hardly say that we beat retreat
directly, aud we stood once more on deck,
the first mate wiped the preparation from
his forehead and looked from one to the 9th.
er, as much as to say, What shall we do ~
1t was indeed trying position, aul TO, a
few moments no one spoke. Then M. Ray
seemed to recover himself, and said quietly
and firmly -
ave should only be casting away our
lives if we we're to go in now. The only
plan can suggest is to watch him through
the skylight and 60 in when he is asleep"
81 don't think he can do any mischief in
the meantime" | said "but we must seize