The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-04-23
SELECT STORY.
IN THE JAWS OF DEATH
4 sronY oE y oooLIE REvoLr.


Considerable attentions had been
made for the accommodation of the ma
tives, and at the same time additional
security added for the safety of officers
and crew The fore and main matches
had been fitted with heavy iron graf
ing, securely bolted to the combings,
while over the main a species of iron
cage had been constructed, fitted with a
door, and secured by bolts.
The ship carried three mates, boat
swain, and sixteen men, which with cap
tain, steward, and cook, completed the
Transit's complement.
The chief mate, John MAYNARD, was
handsome young son of the ocean, stall
wart and brave. The second mate, Mr..
Halpin, was good, efficient officer,
while third officer was yet Young boy,
scarcely twenty.
Half dozen sailors, armed with cut
lasses ground sharp as razors, buckled
around their waists, and with loaded
muskets, stood on either side of the
gangway as the coolies fled over the
side from the ldrge tanka boats along
side that had received their freight at
the barracoona.
Two days out from port, the steward,
who had contracted the fever whiis a.
Macao, died, leaving no alternative to
Captain Sylvester, but to choose anoth-
er, and from the ranks of the coolies. He
could not well select one from the crew,
there was none too many on deck, and
the duties were far from light, so a
Chinaman, Assam by name, was duly in
stalled in the cabin.
His dark eyes glittered with some
strong inward emotion as he stood hum
bly,, ever crlnglngly before the captain
listening to his directions; but he made
no other demonstrations; the captain
took no notice of it, and he was suffered
10 depart without further delay.
Slowed away in the run of the ship
abaft the cabin, were some twenty thous-
and dollars, portion of the ships earn
ings, safely packed in kegs. The fact
had been carefully concealed by the Of
icers from the crew, and as for the cool
les it would have been adding Goals to
the fire had they but an inkling of the
dangerous secret.
On the morning of the third day Cap
tain Sylvester crawled into the run of
the vessel, leaving the door open behind
him, his object being to look after the
safe stowage of the specie. Without a
moments warming he came upon the
Chinese steward, who was too intent up
on what he had before him to notice
the approach Of his master.
The Chinaman by some means had
managed to break open a keg contain
ing the precious metal, and the glitter
ing contents lay exposed to the spark
ling avaricious gaze of the willy native.
For moment Sylvester was so taken
by surprise, so overcome by nameless
terror as to be incapable of motion, and
large drops of perspiration rolled down
his pallid face.
Recovering himself he roared out in
voice of thunder, 'fY ou internal scoun-
drel Whist are yon doing here?" And
scrambling forward the irate captain at
tempted to grapple with his dangerous
foe. But the steward, quick as fash
of lightning, eyaded the captains blow
dealt him one as he glided by and while
Sylvester was foundering among the
boxes and barrels, bewildered and hal
stunned, the Chinese steward sprans
through the low door, darted out of thu
cabin and disappeared on deck.
No one took particular notice Of th'
fellows movements as he sanntered care
lessIy along, pausing for moment b.
the iron cage which covered the mail
hatch. The ladder was crowded Will
coolies, and to them h. addressed a fev
rapid, gutteral sentences, at the sam
tune applying key to the door whicl
he had purloined from the captain
state room. Glancing quickly aft, h
withdrew to one side, and that instant
prolonged and terrible cry burst from
the coolies, followed by tremendou
rush Up the ladders.
With one bound the treacherous na
tive sprang upon the nearest sentine
and before the sailor, completely take
by surprise could recover his muske
had been snasched from his hand, and
blow from the same stretched the poo
fellow lifeless on the deck.
Like the rush Of some mountain toi
rent the coolies swarmed on deck, carry
ing everything before them. The ser
tinels were literally swallowed up b
the infuriated mob Of yelling demon
and were never seen again. Ci u
Maynard, togther with the secon
mate and man at the wheel, were ii
sole occupants of the quarter deck, an
upon them, ali unarmed as they wer
the mob rushed, 4s5 laa
Amid the din and uproar MaynaI
heard the voice of Captain Sylveste
calling upon bin 70 jump through Il
skylight.
"Jump, my lad, and cbear hand.
have the cabin doors barricaded."
The mate required nosecond biddin
With q shout to the second mate TO fc
low, he sprang through the frail stru
ture,t and the next instant the two OF
GERS were side by side with Sylvest'
who hurriedly thrust into their hands
loaded revolver apiece.
There was no time for congratul
tions, the aperture above their hea
.darkened for a moment by a huge Cool
whd was on the point of leaping aft
the fugitiyes, when the crack of Ma
nard's revolver saved him the troub
and he fell headlong into the cab
Another and another followed in qui
succession, but not Chinaman succee
ed in gaining an entrance alive.
With yell of baffied rage, the Co
les renewed the assault; but this til
their efforts were directed against I
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