Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-01-23

visible. Rough coverings were rivppi mn.
but in spite al an that could be done to mill
gate 10, the heat was unbear ahle. beating
down upon our heads. n IA ref citing from the
SEA. which shone like a vast mirror of Do
hshed metal Gaping seams. with the tar
OOZlng forth, rails and StanchiOnS so heated
thar hand could not be borne upOn them.
a the tween decks sitting rs an oven il
was no wonder that we We're constantly
. longing Tor the comparative cool of the night;
bat even then there was not time for the
mpcrature 20 grow much lower before the
sun once more rose. each lay apDareutly
hotter than the last.
We W. re seated one evening, watching the
last glow Of the setting sun. when Anderson.
thN second mate, made the remark that he
T. ought a change was coming; and then our
attention was taken up by Mr.. Ray passing
close by MS. and descending as if To the cap
fain'S cabin.
How has he been today asked
Worse than ever" was the reply If
were Ray, I'D make prisoner of him. and
take sole command. He'd be quite justified
Further conversation was cut short by the
REAP pearance OF the mate, who beckOned to
INV companion.
Something wrong" he exclaimed. nc he
leaped To his feet: and quite as quickly 1 fol-
lowed him to the hatchway.
Good heavens Anderson exclaimed Mr.
Ray, whats TO be done? He : a maniac"
'lfave You no medicineS?' j said.
Medicines? Yes; but how are We 10 deal
with a man in his state? Just listen"
In effect. as ne ceased speaking. there came
from below the sound of breaking chairs.
smashing glass. and noise of some one
lcapinc from side of the cabin. followed by q
Tremendous battering ut the door.
I've locked him in said Ray for he's
not fit To come on deck. But get help, and
cot
A short consultation was held; and then it
was decided To call one of the old seamen, a
sturdy quiet man, and TO do all as quietly as
possible, 80 as not to alarm the passengers
and crew.
Anderson fetched the old sailor. who came
rolling mp, turning the lump of tobacco in
his mouth; and from his remark it was evil
ness i'm hand.
''Ah.-' he growled, s'what thing il is az
anv one will 90 on wasting precious liquors,
and turning blessings urv son! Knowed
this would be the end on it,
do Mt preach man." said Ray. angrily
nut come along. Now, look here,' he
open the door, all step quietly in together.
lie III dash at us the same a. he did at me
little while ago: but he can only tackle one
man at once, so that while he is engaged the
others must secure him."
We had hardly nerved ourselves for our
TASK, and the mate was holding up his hand
as signal as he unlocked the door, when We
were staggered by the sharp report of pistol
simultaneous with which there was a dull
thuu close by my ear; and / started back
with the knowledge that bullet had just
passed through the cabin door and whistled
by my head. Then came a loud, harsh
laugh, followed by a couple more pistol
SHOTS: Doth OF which passed through the pa
mel of the door.
need hardly say that we beat retreat
directly; and as We stood once more on deck.
the hrst mate wiped the perspiration from
ms forehead, and looked from one TO the
dO?''
IL was, indeed, a trying position; and for
Few moments no one spoke Then Mr.. Ray
seemed to recover himself, and spoke out
nrmly and quietly: I'VE should only b.
casting away our lives if we were To go i'll
4Raa liz In n
watch him through the skylight, and 60 in
when he is asleep"
II do mt think he can do any mischief in
him soon
mischief" said the Old sailor drylv.
ell, j dunno: but what il he keeps pop
ping OIL that revolver thing? We shall he
blOw-up."
Powder" said
res; in the magazine"
''Is there powder on board?" said with
strange tremOr in my voice, as / turned to
Anderson.
Yes, "a heavy lot of he said huskfly;
and as he spoke, his eyes glanced iuvolun-
tarlIy IN the direction OF the boats.
Another shot made us all start; and now
passengers and crew began TO collect, eagerly
ASKING what was wrOng-QueStiOnS, though.
winch, III dread of rush at the boats, we
fOrebOre To answer.
The peril. though. was indeed great, for in
one small cabin, especially strengthened for
us reception, a large quantity OF powder was
stored; and If one bullet happened TO pass
through, the chances were that the heat
eNolVed III its passage would explode all. and
m moment The whole vessel would be
blown To atoms
There were two courses open TO us; to seize
me boats al once, and push off, or to ma he q
bold and manly effort to subdue the mad
man, IN whose hands our lives seemed TO
hang.
The same feeling must have peryaded all
our breasts as we stood looking at one
another, and then saw the Old.saiiOr wet the
palms OF his hands and rub them gently to-
We must run in on him, Master Ray" he
Could we not shoot him down through the
>Kytlght' said the chief mate: and then, as if
blushing at his own proposition. he added
hastily: No. no. that would be like murder
We must dash in on him at all risks. But
deck"
As he spoke. we heard the cabin door I'M
locked; then the rafting of keys and the
crashing OF a door. when Ray cautiously
pecred down the hatch; and as he kneelpi
there gazing down. could see a tremor run
hing through his whole frame, and when at
last he turned to us, his voice was so husky
As TO be almost inaudible. when he wills
pered: He's got into the powder room"
shalI never forget his cOuntenance as he
sazed up at W. ixed-right to a degree. For
lew moments, horror and dread OF impend-
ing death seemed 10 have robbed him OF all
power Then he sprang up, the man once
mon. ,,-.
TSen Iaadi,. The way, he dashed down the
cabin stairs. we fo,,,, wing him, But only To
nnd our progress arrested -, 'A0 NiO''' "''''
which resisted all our efforts. bo,,
Listen" whispered Ray; and tiic,, ie O'h
tlnucd: what. ifhe were TO fire now"
Inc next moment there was sound which
seemed 10 make every nerve in my body
thrill, and frankly own that had my limbs
obeyed my will, 1 should have rushed on
deck, seized coop or grating, and leapei
over the side, for plainly enough 10 be heard
came sharp cracking noise, and il wanted
not the mates voice 10 enliglIten Us as he
Missed out "Lueifers."
Here. quick.' exclaimed Anderson; we
are forcing the wrong way at the door
lie dragged at il, but in vain, for few
minutes, till. running on deck, the Old sailor
returned IN an instant. with a couple of mar
ilne spikes which were inserted Just az we
once more heard the crackle of a match.
quick it's for dear life.' cried Ray, and
the door crashed. gave way and flew open, TO
reveal 10 Us. standing perfectly unmoved by
our forcibie entry, the captain, holding a
lighted Splint to an iron bound chest. which
was already blackened and charred at the
edge.
For few moments we could none of us
STIR III seemed as if at the slightest motion
on our part, the chest-which ! afterward
learned was filled with cartridges, for the