The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-05-11

eence his vessel was lying Mt one of the low
wharves, where he would have to waittwo
hours for the tide to set him off; but he
FASTENED to have everything prepared to get
her off as soon as possible, for he had no de.
sire TO meet the ireate. .n...
| The schooner's keel was just cleared from |
! The mud AMI one of the men had been sent |
upon the wharf to cast off the bowliue, when |
! a wagon, drawn by one horse, came rattling |
down to the spot. The driver, rough look
ing coun frymaa, got out upon the wharf, |
uu1 then assisted p niddle-a1ed woman |
from the voLice. The lady 3 first inquiry
was Tor CommodorcIucksr. lie was point
ed oUt tn her, aud she stepped upon the
schoonrers deck and approached him
"Coam,d'te,' she asked, when do you
sail from here2"
ave sail right off, as soon as possible,
madam" .r
"Oh, then, know you will be kind to
me-" the lady urged, in persuasive toues
"My poor husband died yesterday, aud
wish to carry his corpse to Wscosset, where
he belong, aud where his parents will take
care OF it,"
"Bnt, my good woman 1 shan't go to Wis
casset." "a
IF you will only and me at tue mouth
of the Sheepscpt, will ask No more J.
can eaeily.hnd boat there TO take me up"
Where is the body2H asked Tucker. s.-
"ln the wagon rfeturned the lady, at
the same time raising the corner of her
shawl to wipe away the gathering tears. 81
have sum of money with me, and you shall
be paid for the trnuble." t--.- 5
"rut, tut, woman if accommodate you,
you, there won't beatty pay about it," Fa.
The kind-hearted Old commodore wsfnot
tho man to re fuse a favor, and, though he
liked not the bother of taking the woman
and her strange accompaniment on board
yet he could not refuse. When he told her
he would DO as she had requested, she thank
ed him with many tears in her eyes.
Some of the men were sent upon the
wharf to bring the body on board. long
buffalo robe was lifted oft by the man tina
drove the wagon, and beneath it appeared
A neat black coiaia Some words were pass
! pu DN tUt StdVlfii ~ thNN "ViO pNNN'it' w
coffin on board, which went to show prett.
nlainlv that the affair did not exactly sui
them But it may have been but preiudic
"Blow me! 80 am" said the man, brine
ing the helm smarty a.port "But say, didn
you notice anything peculiar about the oil
oman % f-
"Whv. Dan, you seem greatly intereste
about her"
so am, Commodore, an so am abol
the coffin. too Wouldn't it be well fl
you and to overhaul t?'
"Pshaw you're as scared as child in
graveyard"
mo, not a bit. Just bark bit. Th
'oman amt no oman"
The commodore pronounced the name
his Satanic Majesty in the most empha
manner. .. . .
"Ita the truth, Commodore-l can swe
to it. | purtended there was a spider
her hair, and rubbed my hand agin i
fare. By Sam Hyde, if it wasn't as rou
and bearded as an holystone. You see,
told me as how I'd let the boom gibe il
didn't look out | know'd there wasn't
oman there, and so l told her. Call son
body at the wheel, and let's 60 and look
that coffin. ="
The commodore was wonder struck
what he had heard, but, with that ca
presence of mind that made him what
was, he sat coolly to thinking. In
minutes he called one of the men aft to
lieve Carter and then he went down to lt
d. after his passenger The latter had turr
in, and seemed to be sleeping. Tucker
turned, aud took Garter one side.
"No noise now, Carter; follow me
though nothing had happened"
"Sartin."
I he two approached the main hatch
stopped to raise it, when Dams hand tou
ed small ball that seemed to have b
pinned up under the after break of
hatch. ....... ......
'It's ball of twine," said he.
:. "Don't touch it, but run and get
term" replied Tucker. q.
Carter sprsng to obey, and when he
turned number of men lad gathered al
the spot. The hatch was raised,
the commodore carefully picked up the
of twine and found that it was made fa'
something below. He descended to
hold, and there he found that the twine
in beneath the lid of the coffin. be
a. no doubt in his mind now that there
mischief boxed up below, and sent "a
for something that might answer for a s.
driver. The man soon returned with
knife, and the commodore set to work.
worked very carefully, however, at the
. time keeping a bright lookout tor the st
'. At length the screws we're out and tn
very carefully lifted from its place.
Great God in heavenw burst from
lips of the commodore.
"By Sam Hyde" dropped like thl
clap from the tongue of young Dan.
"God bless you, Dan ~ said the col
dore,
Il knowd it ~ uttered Dan.
The two men stood for a moment
gazed into the coffin. There was no
man there but, in place thereof, Their
}. material for the death Of a score. Th
fin was filled with gun-powder and
wood upon light frame work in tn
tire were arranged four pistols, all c.
p,;tl, and the string entering the coffin from
portion o"u ',' o'"'',''"'0"''' "''' WV "
of Tho The first movement Of the conn