Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-27
we had better give the old tub the slip to-


ted Bill, energetically.
Il think we had better see Tom and til,
rest, and make our escape Immediately il
| the long boat while the old man is sn0oz
ing.r
''Good! let's move at once"
Half hidden by sundry hamper at TIN
foot of the main slIrouds, Denny Breezt
had listened to every word of this converse
ton.
"a general DESCRIPTION, ell ?n said Denny
to himself, as he saw the pesfidious SECOND
mate becoming the center of little knot
of eager men forward. s'This thing wont
work, my fine fellows"
He lost no time in entering the cabin
and proceeding directly to the command
er's stateroom. The old sea-dog was just
in the act of stunning in"
why, what ails you, Denny?" he cried
s'Y on are pale"
perhaps | have reason to be. Mr.. Bun
Gle and good share of the men are hatch
ing up plot to leave the schooner in the
long boat and make the islandr'
"What! tonight"
''Yes, sir-to-night. Now is our time,
they say, while the old man is sleepingr'
The commander slipped noiselessly from
the cabin, and soon his voice was heard
upon the forecastle. The truth was, he had
waited unseen and silent until the conspi-
ratOrs were about to resort to the measure
of getting out the long-boat, and then he
had fallen upon them with all the stern au-
thority of. his position and the still sterner
authority of his character.
A few minutes only the din lasted, and
then the commander slipped back to the
cabin.
give fixed thenl," he muttered, as he
rubbed his hand gleeftllly together. 81
waited till they were getting out the boat,
and then l went for them. You can ina
CINE how Buncle is cut up. Mr.. Skill is
now in charge of things. Here, stewardr'
The steward Immediately responded to
the call.
''AIake me my usual favorite punch, .
added the commander, Sand let us have it
while it is hot"
The steward bowed understandingly, and
set about obeying the order.
After remaining alone in the cabin an
hour Or two, muSing intently upon all he
had seen in the direction of the island,
Denny Breeze again, took his way to the
deck, which seemed to him singularly dark
and deserted.
The wind had freshened notably. A
chopping sea had arisen, and the vessel was
laboring more than she had done for sever
al days preceding. The heavens were near
ly obscured by a mist of impending rain.
as it you, Pete?" asked voice, as Den
ny emerged from the cabin.
Pete was the colored steward.
''No, its me-the passenger, Mr.. Breeze, f"
answered Denny.
''Oh, it's you, eh?" said the voice, which
our hero now recognized as that of Mr..
Buncle. "All right, sir. L thought is 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.
"Yes, sir, quite rough" he responded.
''Do you know where the cap'n is?' was
the next question of Buncle.
"Abed and asleep, SIR"
"Do you know how sleepy he is? But of
course you don't, and so l will tell you: he
is as sleepy as a good dose of medicine can
make him."
500 you mean to say he has been drug
ged?" asked Denny.
"That's just what l mean 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 tax
ing place-that at the very least the vii
lainy he had interrupted was gathering
head again.
81 know not why you tell me this" said
Denny, shut L know that I'll soon see for
myself if you are telling me the truth"
He turned toward the cabin.
''Softly, One moment" said Buncle, adj
vancing nearer. II want TO speak a word
further with you, my young gentleman"
''Say on, them"
'.What l have say is this" said Buncle.
did you not tell Capt. Morrison that /,
and Tom, and Bill, and some others of the
crew, were about to run away in the long
boat?'
Denny was not pleased with the situa-
ton, especially as several of the intended
had gathered about him, but his
was a soul inaccessible to fear, and he re-
sponded:
eyes, told Capt. Morrison of your in
tended flight. What of it?"
You shall soon see, my young bantam"
said Buncle, with suppressed passion. ''The
lOng-boat is in the water duly prOvisioned.
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
''AIr. Skill is bound hand and foot and
gagged in the forecastle, as are several of
the men who took part with him." declared
Buncle, with brutal insolence.
Denny Breeze, at these words, bounded
toward the cabin, shouting:
'More villiany, Capt. Morrison! Help
helpr'
He had scarcely finished this cry, when
he found himself intercepted by several
pairs of hands and numerous fingers clutch
ing his throat.
"Up with him, boys,'' was the short but
fatefIl command of Buncle.
at was in vain that Denny, realizing the
horrible intention Of his enemies, essayed
to defend himself-all in vainl He was
lifted clear of the deck in an instant, and
hurled over the bulwarks into the raging
waters