Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-12-24

you, better, en- !?
"No, cannot show the contents of it even
to Bill. If the matter is pressed hard, shall
appeal to the captain for protection, though
don't know that it would do any good"
None at all, said Wightman and [, both at
once.
"What would he do, do you think"
Exercise his authority and demand the
key at once, or open it by force. He has
heard about the thefts,s you know; and
heard him tell Mr. Baldwin that if anoth-
er case was reported, he should make gen
eral search and fog the thief, if he could be
found"
The boy rested his face upon his hands in
thought, but made no answer.
"Never mind, John," said Wightman
"don't fret about it. No harm shall come to
you, anyhow. I'm satisfied of your truth,
and if you still decline to show your things,
YOU shan't be forced to, at least by anybody
in this part of the ship. But think this mat:
ter over, and perhaps tomorrow you'll feel
differently about it."
That night, in the middle watch, [ was
awakened by slight clicking noise, and saw
California Tom, by the hanging lamp, steal
thily opening Johns chest with key. John
himself, as we'll as all the rest of my watch,
we're sleeping soundly but I knew that he
never left his key where it could be found.
1t was always about his person, night and
day. Tom must have found duplicate key
to fit the chest.
I was about to speak, and give the alarm
to Wightman and others; but, on second
thought, determined to wait moment and
see the result. Tom had bundle in one
hand, which appeared to be new flannel
shirt, and as the lock flew open at last,
he lost no time in looking into the chest, but
pushed in the bundle, relocked it, and went
on deck.
I considered the matter and determined to
tell Frank Wightman, which did as soon as
our watch turned out.
"Don't tell John," were his first words. "l
hope he won't open his chest and discover 1t,
for I want to see what kind Of plot is hatch
ing"
John Merrill had the morning masthead,
and went up to his post at daylight, without
having had occasion to look into his chest
Tom was up and stirring soon afterwards
an unusual proceeding for him in morning
watch, off duty-and accosted Captain Sale
as soon as he made his appearance above deck:
Presently the order was given to call all
hands and muster them up. One OF the
mates was sent into the forecastle to see that
no one fingered, and to have all the mems kits
and effects reused up to the light of day. The
captain was evidently in towering rage, for
he had passed lightly over several previous
reports Of theft, hoping the matter would be
adjusted without his interference. But Tom
had lost new shirt during the night, and
Captain Sale had lost-his patience.
"I'll find it, if it's inside the ship" said he,
"and I'll fog the man that stole it."
Several chests and bags had been emptied
of their contents in the presence of US all; for
John Merrill had been called down from aloft,
and stood, thoughtful and agitated, at my
side. When the captain came to the locked
chest, "Whose is this?" he demanded
"Mine, sir" spoke up the lad.
"Give me your key"
eff you'll excuse me, sir, I would like to
speak a word with you-by ourselves, sir, if
you please"
But the captain was not in humor to lis
ten to any remonstrance. He swung back
his heavy boot and with a single kick under
the proJectinS euSe IL ue" oPeu.
"There's my Shirt" exclaimed Tom, seizing
the bundle that lay on top.
Enough said We're on the right track,
now" said Captain Sale. "Take up this chest
and carry it aft" And he closed the lid with
a bang. "Mr Baldwin," he confined, "strip
John Merrill's back, and tie him up. Its
new thing for me to fog one of my men, but
I've sworn in this case and III keep my word"
The poor boy overwhelmed with confusion,
could hardly find word to protest his inno-
cence, as the mate led him aft. But Frank
Wightman at this moment approached the
captain respectfully, and touched him gently
captain relaxed his angry brows to listen
to it, for Wightman was the best man in the
forecastle. The two walked aft together,
conversing earnestly. l kept my eye on them
till Frank Wightman made signal which |
understood, when I followed.
"Mr. Derrick" said the captain to the Sec
ond mate, "keep every thing as it stands,
with the chests forward. Don't allow man
to touch thing, till further ORDERS"
He beckoned Frank Wightman and my
self to come below. But he did not counter
mand the orders he had given about lashipg
John up; the mate, it seems, proceeded to obey
them. He prepared the ropes, but when he
ordered the boy to remove his shirt, he met
with unexpected resistance While 1 was
relating to Captain Sale, in the forward cabin,
what had seen during the middle watch,
there was a scuf1e over our heads, and John
Merrill, in a frenzy of excitement, rushed
down the stairs and into the after cabin.
Hold on, Mr.. Baldwin! Never mind
what told you, for the present." cried the
captain, and he followed the boy into the
sanctum, while we awaited the result
In a minute afterwards he put his head out
at the door, with the strangest look on his
face that had ever saw mortal man wear.
"Wightman, you and Bill pass John Mer-
rill's chest down stairs-right into this room."
We obeyed the order, and set our burden
down at his feet. But the lad was not to be
seen as We looked about US.
"That'll do. You can 60 on deck, now
III talk with you again soon )" and the door
was closed between US and the mystery.
1t was half an hour before Captain Sale
came up, and ordered the search to be contin-
ued. When he came to Toms chest, he over
hauled it very carefully; but it was, appa-
renty, emptied to the bottom, without find
ing any stolen property. But, still unsatis-
fed, he stood it up on end, thumped it heav-
lily, and threw it bottom up. A false bottom
was dislodged and fell out followed by the
various missing articles!
A general cry of Indignation was raised,
and strong disposition was manifested to
lynch California Tom. But Mr.. Baldwin
took upon himself the office of executor, this