Middletown transcript., 1877-01-27

all our breasts as we stood and locke
at one another. aud then l saw the oil
sailor wet the palms Of his hands an
rub them gently together.
1--WE must run in on him, Maste
Ray" be said.
Gould we not shoot down througI
the skylight?" said the chief mate; AM
then, as if blushiug at his own PROPOSE
ton, be added hastily: "No, no tina
would be like murder We must dasI
in on him at all risks. But, what
that? Look out? He's coming on deck ,
AS be spoke we heard the cabin dool
unlocked. then the rattling Of keys anG
the crashing of door, when Ray eau.
tiously peered down the batch, and a,
be kneeled there gazing down l could
see tremor running through bis whole
frame, and when at last be turned tc
US, his voice was so husky as to be al.
most inaudible, when he whispered
Hes got into the powder room !"
shall never forget bis countenance
as he gazed up at us with his eyes fixed
rigid to a degrse. For q few mo-
ments horror and dread of impending
death seemed to have robbed him Of all
power. Then be spraug up, the man
once more.
"Quickl !" be exclaimed; "for your
lives II
Then leading the way. he dashed
down the cabin stairs, we following
him, but only to find our progress ar
rested by the closed door. which re-
sisted all our efforts.
Listen" whispered Ray; and then
he continued: GOOD heavens if be
we're to fire now !"
The next moment there was a sound
which seemed to make every nerve in
my body thrill, and | frankly own that
had my limbs obeyed my will, l should
have rushed on deck seized a coop or
grating and leaped over the side, for
plainly enough to be heard came sharp
noise. and it wanted not the
mates word to enlighten US as be hiss
ed out:
"Lucifers p
"Here, quick, for Gods sake !' sx-
,laimed Anderson. 'Look here we
ire forcing the wrong way at the door
He. dragged at it. but in vain, for
ieW minutes, till. running on deck, the
I'D sailor returned in an instant with
couple of marline-spikes, which we're
Inserted just as we once more heard the
irackle of a match.
"Quick it's for dear life p cried |
Ray.
And the door crashed. gave way and
lew open. to reveal to us standing, per-
ectly uumoved BY our forcible entry.
be captain, holding lighted splint to
u irou-bound chest, which was already
'lackened and charred at the edge.
For few moments We could none Of
IS stir 1t seemed as If, at the slight
st motion on our part, the chest
Ihich I afterwards learned was filed
nth cartridges for the supply of one Of
be petty armies engaged in the Par
guayan war-#ould explode, followed
y the other chests and kegs piled
round Then came the captains low
hucking laugh, and we heard him say:
This will drive you out, then strong
5 you are. +"
Then with gesture Of impatience
e threw down the burRt-out splint,
,Ok fresh match from the box be
ED, and was about to strike it, when
ith cry that did not sound human,
.nderson leaped upon him, and with
ne tremendous blow struck him down,
ampling on him the next moment as
e applied bis moist lips to the charred
I'D smoking edge of the chest
The captain was rot stunned, though,
I'd directly after a fearful struggle
ok place amid these kegs. my part
ling confined to the security Of the
atch- box, which l tore from his hand,
as | did SO, lest it should ex-
ode. Then came the loud painting
of the Wrotchsd man, as held
'wn by four strong men, be bowed bis
'dy up again and again with power
lat was almost superhuman.
But the danger was now passed, and
ithout losing moment, we dragged
N out into bis own cabin. Water was .
'undantly applied to the charred side
the box, and Mr. Rays first act was
make the carpenter screw up the door !
a way that restored confidence as
cry screw was driven in. l say bis
st act, for his second was to sit down
the deck and cover his face with his
nds, and remain in that position for
lily half an hour.
Constant watching, binding, and the I
9 Of potent drugs, placed the captain d
t Of the reach Of means to place US t
ain in peril. But though breeze t
rung up next day, and our we'll I
lnaged ship prOsperously finished ber t