Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-04
THE RIVALS.
A Thrilling Episode - The Part a
shark Played i'm Furnishing Treach-
Z cry and Saving q Brave Man.

dawn or my nautical career, joined the
ship Sultan, then nearly new. The owners
W. re old friends Of my father, through
whose Influence obtsined the situstion.
had been MARI ed but short time when
the orde- arrived, which forcsd me to leave
the arms Of my fainting bride and hurry to
the city, where the ship pas In readiness to
proceed 10 sea. The captain came On board
when We were we'll down the bay, and as
he stepped over the rail, the pilot bade us
farewell, aud the last link that bound US to
our native land was severed.
felt strange thrill, feeling of disap
pointment when recognized in the captain
an old scnoolmate and former lover of my
wifs's. 1 had disliked him from boy; in
! the village and at school be had the name,
character and characteristics of bully. He
had tried in vain 10 win the hand of Helen
May, who repulsed him with loathing that
could scarcely be concealed. Il wss said
that be uttered threats of vengeance against
| Us both, when had succeeded in capturing
| the prize; bot l paid no attention to the
gossip, as l never supposed thai our paths
| in life would bring Us in contact. A G. ep,
dark owl rested on his handsome, reck-
less features, IS advancing toward me, he
| said:
.In what capacity are you aboard this
ship"
s'Supsrcargo, Capt. WATSON
ssVery well, Jack Richmond, l am Cap
tain, remember that fact; perhaps l shall
have occasion to remind you of it before
this voysge is over | feel that am IN
debt to you.p i
| knew what he was driving at, but
would not allow him to think for an instant
| that / felt uncomfortable, SO assuming a
careless air, / replied:
State, Capt Watson, has thrown us to-
| gether; it was none of my seeking, assure
| you; but know my duty, and shall discharge
ali the requirements of my Office, looking
to the owners Of this vessel, and not to you,
| for appreciation. As for matters that are
past and gore, II you chooss to treasure up
hard feelings, Of course am not to blame.
l am competent to take care of myself, and
neither care for your friendship nor
hatred"
''Boid words, Jack Richmond, bold words.
Take care, or we'll have trouble before our
jackets are wet with salt water"
"No, sir; shall not quarrel"
l. ga wise conclusion
could see the devil lurking IN the
depths of his large Dark eyes, but his atten-
ton was called away by the mate. For q
time he was busy with the Sultan, being
anxious to gain an offing before night.
The manner in which be cursed the men,
raviQg and stamping around the quarter
deck, convinced me that my life on board
the Sultan would be anything but pleasant.
Had it been possible, / would have cancelled
my engagement and left the ship; but it
was too late, and the hills of my country
were rapidly receding from view.
The voyage proceeded without any Incl
- dent occurring worthy of note, unless it
was the rounding of the cape, and favored
good winds, together with irsweather, the
Sultan bid fair to make q passage that
would reflect credit on all concerned. Ca3L
Watson seldom addressed me except when
absolutely compelled, seeming to avoid aud
shun me, with which behavior was secret
ly plea ed, thinking that so long as we re-
mained apart there was but little possibility
of our having any trouble. l was watchfnI
and guarded in all my actions, being con-
vinced that Watson ouly lacked the oppor-
turity to wreak bis vengeance and hate
upon me.
The weather was warm and sultry, so
much so that l was forced TO move my
desk from the state room occupied to the
cabin. / was busy with my accounts,
papers, etc., never once dreaming of giving
ofense, when quick heavy step sounded
behind me, and the next instant my desk
was sent spinning in one direction, while
was whirled in another.
"Confound your impudencew were the
first words heard as 1 gathered myself up
and collected my shattered senses. "Who
gave you permission to clutter up my cabin
turning it into an office? am strongly
tempted to kick you on deck, you sneak
, ing, quill driving, good for nothing lane
crab"
found myself confronted by Watson
who was Tuning and frothtng in impoten
fury. His breath was almost exhausted
after delivering this beautiful harangue Il
! which listened with blood boiling will
rage. Completely losing my temper, for
getful of all rules of caution, planted 8
blow full in the bully's face that caused hin
to reel and stagger, while the blood spurteC
forth as sufficient evidence of the force O
my attack. With cry like an enraged
, bull, he recovered himself and snatched uE
Ia chair, bringing it down on my head will
crushing violence. 1t must have rendered
me insensible, for when next was able tt
think, act and see for myself, was lying il
my stateroom, with dull, aching sensation
> in my head. attempted to lift my hands
but to my intense indignation, they were
! handeuffsd. The rascal had put me in iron
while lay insensible.
= A week passed by, during which he hat
. the efrontery to place me OF bread NJ
water, all of whico indignities l inward,
resolved should be resented when had th
opportunity.
! One night was awakened by the tramp
T ling of men IS they hurried to and fro
: while the oaths of Watson, the thumps of
heavy sea under the counter, and an occs
r sional pitch and roll of the Sultan, were sui
, ficient indications that gale of wind wa
5 blowing. With caution and considerab
l maneuVerirg, finally succeeded in gainiDI
+. the cabin door, and standing in the narrow
J companion way, glanced cautiously forth
The heavens were entirely obscured
not star or a ray OF light was visible, ex
3 cept the vivid flashes of lightning viii h Ii
e up the dark background with an intense
glare, followed by the low mutter and grow
: ing of the distant thunder, and darkness ter
!. times more profound than before the fash
s The sea was rising rapidly, aud occasionally
: the white crests of an angry billow could b
3 seen looming up in the darkness ss il hisse
D and frothed alongside. With an anxiou
= | ear lSLeD6Q 10 Inc howl anu rush Oh III
g gale, as it whistled through the RIGGING, an
the mournful creski7g of the spanker ga
/ as it swung to windward. Both officers al
8 men were busy taking in sail, while the Su
y tan darted forward, rushing at a mad psc
r through the darkness anu gloom. As ha
g crawied, half reeled back to my stateroom.
: l thought with a shudder of the awful fat
/ that would await me in case of any accideI
K happening to the ship. My mind was haunte
e with strange forebodings as l again sougt
e my pillow, which the soothing effect of sluu
Der could scarcely drive fIom my brain.
9 was suddenly aroused by shock wbic
= threw me with violence from my bertl
q while the crash of falling spars, mingle
e with cries of agony and shrieks for hell
Q penetrated even 10 my state-room. A serie
!. of sudden jars followed one another il
J, rapid succession, and with difficulty sue
D, ceeded in forcing back my state-rOoI
E. door. As did so, q vast column of wSte
W poured down through the cabin sky-ligh
70 causing me to scramble hastily across th
cabin, and crawl up the after companion
n way. AS l reached the door, terriol