Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

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Gaping seams. with the tar oozing forth,
rails and stanchions so heated that hand
could not be borne upon them, II was no
wonder that we were constantly longing
for the comparative cool of the night; but
even then there was not time for the tenn
perature to grow much lower before the
sun once more rose, each day apparently
hotter than The last.
We we're seated one evening, watching
the last glow of the setting sun, when An
derson, the second mate, made the remark
that he thought change was coming. and
then our attention was taken up by Mr..
Ray passing close by us and descending as
If to the captains cabin.
"How has he been to-day?" I said, as
Mr.. Ray disappeared.
"Worse than ever" wns the reply. "If
were Ray L d make prisoner of him and
take sole command. He'd be quite justi-
fed in so doing"
Further conversation was cut short by
the appearance of the mate, who beckoned
hastily to my companion.
"Something wrong;;" he exclaimed as he
leaped 10 his feet, and quite as quick fol-
lowed him TO the hatchway.
'"Good heavens, Andersonr' exclaimed
Mr.. Ray, "what is TO be done2 He is raw
ing madr'
"Have you no medicines ?" asked.
"Medicines2 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 a noise Of sumo
one leapng from side to side of the cabin,
followed by tremendous battering at the
door.
II have locked him in," said Ray, "for he
is not fit to come on deck. But get belp
and we will secure him and strap him into
his cot"
A short consultation was held, and then
1t was decided TO call one of the seamen, a
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 tobnc-
co in his mouth, and from his remarks it
was evident that he had been enlightened
upon the business in hand.
"Ah," he growled, "what a thing it is az
any one will go on wasting precious liq-
uors aud turning blessings into poisonl l
knowed this would be the md of it,"
"Don't preach, man." said Ray, angrily.
"bIt come along. Now look here" be
whispered, as we descended, "as soon as I
open the door, all step in quietly together.
He'll dash at us the same as he dashed at
me while ago; but he can only tackle one
man at once, 50 that while he is engaged
the others must secure him.
We had hardly nerved ourselves for the
task, and the mate was bo'diug up his hand
as signal as he unlocked the door, when
we were staggered by the sharp report of
pistol. simultaneously with which there
was dull thud close to my ear. and start
ed back with the knowledge that bullet
had just passed through the cabin door and
whistled by my head. Then followed
loud, sharp laugh, followed by couple
more pistol shots, both of which passed
through the panel of the door.
I 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, aud for a
few moments no one spoke. Then Mr..
Ray seemed to recover himself, and said
qrietly and firmly:
"We should only be casting our lives
away If we were to go in now. The only
plan I can suggest is TO watch him through
the skylight aud go in when he is asleep"
81 don't think he can do any mischief in
the meantime" said "but We must seize
him soon."
"Mischiefr' said the old sailor dryly.
"Well 1 dunno; but what If he keeps on
popping Off that revolver thingY We shall
be having a bullet in among the powder,
and then blow up"
"Powder ?" I said.
"Yes in the magazine"
as there powder on board ?" said, with
strange tremor in my voice, as 1 turned
to Anderson.
"Yes, heavy lot Of it," he said huskilv;
and as he spoke he glanced involuntarily
in the direction of the boats.
Another shot made us all start, and now
passengers and crew began to collect. ca
gerly asking what was wrong-questions,
though, which, In dread of rush to the
boats, we forebore to answer.
The peril, though, was indeed great, for
in one small cabin, especially strengthened
for its reception, large quantity of pow
der was stored, and If one bullet passed
through, the chances were that the heat
evolved In its passage would explode it all,
and in moment the whole vessel would
be blown to atoms.
There were two courses open to us: TO
seize the boats at once, aud push off. or to
lake a bold and manly effort to subdue
the madman, in whose hands our lives
seemed to bang.
The same feeling must have pervaded all
our breasts as we stood looking at one an
other; and then I saw the old sailor wet
the palms of his hands and rub them gent
ly together.
"we must run In on him, Master Ray"
he said.
"Could we not shoot him Down through
the skylight2' said the chief mate; and
then, as If blushing at his own proposition,
he added hastily: mo. no; that would be
like murder. We must dash In upon him
at all risks. But what's that? LookY He
is coming on deck"
As he spoke we heard the cabin door un-
locked then the rattling of keys and the
crashing of door, when Ray cautiously
peered down the hatch aud as he kneeled
there gazing down, could see a tremor
running through his whole frame, and
when nj last he turned TO us. his voice was
so husky as to be almost inaudible.
APE has got into the powder room r. he
exclaimed