Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-03-28


countenance that puzzled Carter. He
had been one of those who objected to
the coffin being brought on board, and
hence he was not predispOsed to look
very favorably upon its owner. The
woman's eye ran over the schooner's
deck with strange quickness, and Car
ter eyed her very sharply. Soon she
went to the tatfrail and looked over st
the stern boat, and then she came and
stoop by the pinnacle again.
"Look out, or you'll gibe the BOOM"
uttered the passenger.
Carter started, and found that the
mainsail was shivering. He gave the
helm a couple of spokes aport, and then
cast his eyes again upon the woman,
whose features were lighted by the
pinnacle lamp.
"Thank'e ma'am," said Dan. cha,
hold on-why, bless my soul, there's q
big spider right on your hair. No--not
there. Here-Pll-UghP'
| This last ejaculation Dan made as he
seemed to pull something from the
woman's hair, which he threw upon
the deck with an "Ughl"
Shortly after the passenger went be-
low, and are long Tucker came on
deck.
Commodore" said Carter, with q
remarkable degree of earnestness in
his manner, "is the 'oman turned in p
"I rather think So" said Tucker,
looking at the compass. "Look out,
look out, Carter! Why, man alive,
you're two points to the southland of
your course"
"Blow me! so am," said the man,
bringing the helm smartly aport.
But say, didn't you notice anything
peculiar about the old oman"
"Why, Dan, you seem greatly inter
ested about her."
SO am, Commodore, an SO am
about the coffin, too. Wouldn't it be
well for you and l to overhaul it"
"Pshaw! you're as scared as child
In q graveyard"
"No, not bit. just bark bit
That 'oman amt no oman"
The Commodore pronounced the
name of his satanic majesty in the
most emphatic manner.
cts the truth, Commodore can
swear to it. | purtended there was q
spider on her hair, and I rubbed my
hand agin her face. By Sam Hide, if
it wasn't as rough and bearded as a
| holy-stone. You see, she told me as
how I'd let the boom gibe if I DIDN'T
look out. I know'd there wasn't 40
'oman there, and SO l tried her. Call
somebody at the wheel, and let's 60
and look at the coffin"
The Commodore was WOnderstruck
By what he had heard, but, with the
| calm presence of mind that made him
what he was, he sat coolly to thinking.
In g. few minutes he called one of the
men aft to relieve Carter, and then he
went down to look after his passenger.
The latter had turned in, and seemed
to be sleeping. Tucker returned, and
| took Carter to one side.
"No noise now Carter; follow me as
though nothing had happened"
"Sartln"
| The two approached the main hatch,
and stopped to raise it, when Dams
hand touched small ball that seem ed
to have been pinned up under the af-
ter break of the hatch.
It's ball of twine," said he.
"Don't touch it, but rue and get a
lantern" replied Tucker.
Carter sprang to obey, and when he
returned number of the men had
gathered about the spot. The hatch
was raised, and the Commodore care
fully picked up the ball of Irvine, and
found that it was made fast to some
thing below. He descended to the
hold, and there he found that the
Irvine ran in beneath the lid of the
coffin. He had no doubt in his mind
now that there was mischief boxed up
below, and sent Carter for something
that might answer for screw driver.
The man soon returned with stout
knife, and the Commodore set to work.
He worked very carefully, however,
at the same time keeping bright
lookout for the string.
At length the screws were out, and
the lid very carefully lifted from its
place.
'Great God in Heaven |! F" burst from
the lips of Commodore.
"By Sam Hyde" dropped like a
thunder clap from the tongue of young
Dan.
"God bless you'll" said the commo-
dore.
81 know'd it y! uttered Dan.
The two men stood for moment,
and gazed into the coffin. There was
no dead man there, but, in place there
of, there was material for the death of
a.score. The coffin was filled with gun
powder and Fleetwood; upon a light
frame work in the centre were ar
ranged four pistols, all cooked, and the
string entering the coffin from without
communicated with the trigger of each.
The first movement of the Commo-
dore was to call for water, and when it
was brought, he dashed three or four
| buckets full into the internal contriv.
ance, and then he breathed more freely.
"No, no." he uttered as he leaped
from the hold. No, no-my men.
Do nothing rashly. Let me 60 into the
cabin first. You may follow me-"
Commodore Tucker strobe into the
cabin, walked up to the bunk where his
passenger lay, and grasping hold of the
female dress, he dragged it's wearer out
upon the floor. There was sharp re-
sistance, and the passenger drew a pis-
al b,,t r. ma O o,1ick1v knOok od awav-