The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-08-12
CITY OF MANITOWOC WIS, THURSDAY AUGUST12 1875

found that the twiue ran in beneath the
nd of the coffin. He had no doubt in his
mind now that there was mischief boxed
up below, and he sent Carter for something
that might answer for screw driver. He
soon returned with a stout knife, and the
commodore set to WORK. He worked very
carefully, at the same time keeping bright
look out for the string. II
| 7 AT length the screws were out, and the
| lid lifted from its place.
"Great God in Heaven!' burst from the
! lips of the commodore.
by Sam, Hyde!" dropped like a thun-
der clap from the tongue of Dan.
"God bless you, DAM said the commo-
dore.
81 knowed it" uttered Dan.
The two men stood fora moment and
gazed into the coifn. The coffin was filed
with pitch and gun powder. Upon a light
framework in the center were arranged four
pistols all cooked, and the string entering
the coffin from without, communicated with
the trigger Of each.
The first movement of the commodore
was to call for water, and when it was
brought he dashed three or four buckets
full in the Internal eontrivance, and then
he breathed more freely.
"No, no, he uttered as he leaped from
the hold. Do nothing rashly. Let me 90
into the cabin first. You may fellow me-
Commodore Tucker stro de into the cabin,
walked up to the bunk where his passenger
lay, and grasping hold of the female dress
he dragged its wearer upon the floor There
was sharp resistance and the passenger
drew a pistol, but it was knocked away
the gown was torn off and a man came
forth frem the remnants of calico and
linen.
The fellow was told that lis whole plot
had been discovered, and he owned that it
had been his plan to turn out in the course
of the night aud get hold of this ball of
twine, then to have gone aft, carefully un.
winding the string as he went along; then
to have got into the boat, cut the fall, and
as the boat fell into the water he would
have pulled smartly on the twine.
"And think you know" be continued,
with wicked look "what would have fol.
lowed. Id have got out of the way with
the boat, and you would have all been In
the next world in short order And all |
can say is, that | am sorry l didn't do it,
1t was with much difficulty that the COM
modore prevented his men from killing the
villain on the spot. He proved to be one
of the enemy's officers, and he was to have
a heavy reward if he succeeded in destroy
the main rigging, where ne Wis -"
he would remain until the vessel got into
port
''What a horrid death that villain ment
for us, muttered Carter.
eyes, he did," said Tucker with shud-
der.
''IIe belongs to the same gang that's been
q robbin' and burning the poor folks hous
cs on the eastern coast said one Of the
men.
A bitter curse from the prisoner here
broke upon tie air, and with q clenched
fist the commodore went below.
In the morning, when Tucker came ou
deck, Seguia was in sight, upon the star
board bow, but when he looked for the
| prisoner he was gone.
| Garter, where's the villain lashed here
last night?'
"I'm sure don't know where he is, COM
modore. Perhaps he's jumped overheard -
The comm odore looked sternly in Carter 5
eyes, and he saw a twinkle Of satisfaction
cleaning there. He turned and muttered
to himself:
"WelI, ] can't blame them. If the vii
lain has gone to Ceath, he's only met his
fate. Better far, than that my noble crew
were now all in old oceans grave"