Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-10-25
CHAPTER Xxx.
WHAT WAS FooND ON TIE BRIG.

los8T CHAPTER Xxx.
WHAT WAS FooND ON TIE BRIG.
Tho pirate captain was thorough eeaman
aud knew every part Of a vessel to pcrfcc-
top lie. did not mako a mstcp or
stumble Silently aud surely he led his
companions until they stood at tho cabin
door of tho brig. Tho, detective, beside
his weapons, was well provided with other
articles which he calculated he would use
under certain circumstances. The officer
prepared to take the load. Tho cabin door
was upfastcned. 4 Walton Sprague stepped
over the threshold, pistol iu hand. His
companions were ordered to remain without,
until they heard a given sighal A lamp
was suspended from tho ceiling and its
shadowcd light cast aickly CLEANS about
Tho detective was so intent upon the bust
pess which had brought him that bo did
bot observe an object lying upon tho floor.
lie tripped against it, and with loud
noise fell forward. Tho next Instant n
piercing shrek broke tho stiffness. The
voice was thatof female, and it was cry
Of terror. Tho officer for momcnt, after
having rcgainod his feet, stood transfxcd
with wonder and establishment. lie moved
cautiously forward, expecting every moment
to SOC a number OF armed mon leap from
behind a crmson cloth which divided the
fore part of tho cabin from the rcar. Sud
denly q lnnd wos laid heavily upon his
shoulder. lie turned and encountered
Frank hlidgely 1t was not necessary for
our hero to speak, Ills working features
told volumes, aud his speaking eyes put the
question: hi. ,ya ra
"Did you hear that scrcam?"
Thc two men had not time to exchange
words, when report sounded through the
cabin, pnd tho next moment the contracted
apartment was envolopod in flames. 1t was
the depending crimson scresu which was
on fire. Walton Sprague leaped forward
and tore it down. A horrible sight met his
gaze. On tho cabin floor lay u human
figure 10 flames. The detective flung the
still smou)dcring scarlet cloth toward Frank,
With the, command, to stamp out the fire,
while hc'prolnptly assisted the writhing G;.
urc before him.' The fire was quickly cxtir.
gnishe:, when the mystery vas partially
explained. The man on the ioor was
fierce featured, blazing5cyed fellow, with a
complexion almost black. Around his head
NssJ tiled snow white turban, and the con-
| tTast made his features all tho moro black
and horrible to gaze upon, In tho fellows
hind was pistol, which in his wild writh-
! inss'he' had retanod, still firmly grasped.
| The fierce looking creature was dressed in
flowing robes, which were partly burnod.
The detective spoke to the fellow, but re-
oaXed nd reply. ? T109 suffering man owl
dently did not updGrstand the language in
whioh' he Was Addressed The moment the
fire was cxtngushca Frank Midgely had
left the detective to, deal with the scorohed
man, while he seatrhcd the thtee or four
berths. One berth was cnrtaincd with "A
heavy blue cloth. 'hTle young 'mnn's hand
was updn 'thc turtpih when, in<tinotivcly,
hYe. drew back. =, The scream Of terror had
COME from female. 1t may have come
from behi ndt tpihau very cumain.c Frank
.Midsely was too iibuoh Of a gentleman to
thus rush upon tho privacy of a stranger,
or even a friend Irc spoke, moving his
;, hand across the curtain, torindcate that his
words wore addressed to whoever might be
tho occupant Of the berth. There came no
answer to his words. Frank's attention
was distracted from tho berth moment
hteG,bJ'a scene Of excitement. Tho man
with the. turbon aabout his head, had
suatohed a scimetcr f,oin the cabin wall,
and had commemorate violeht assault on the
! dctcotiva, while the tho latte. was in tho
very act ofallaying the pain Of the ingrato's
wounds, The detective Ii ad received a
severe ent before he had become aware of
thc misorennts Intention The officers pity
Rhs turned TO another feeling as he drew his
pistol and aimed it at tho black face mur-
derp's hcart..g Tho cap snapped, while tho
gloamins seimcter oIoft tho air, and che
next moment tho dc,ectivo's hand would
have been severed from his arm. when the
| arm OF the assassin, YRS seized from behind,
and he was borne to the floor.
oil fix himrso that ho will not give us
any more trouble" rcmarkcd Walton
Spraguc, rs he handcuffed the man and
Ightly bound bin at tho ankles
| GLOW did the fire originated" asked
Frank.
,"Tho fellow frod at us through tho screen,
and tho blazo from his weapon isni,cd tho
curtain, and his long flowing robos took fire
al tue same instant"
"ls nc badly buraed?"
"No."
1t was mystery to the detective that
but theoc two individuals had been disco
ycrcd on the vessel
"l wonder whore tho crow isl" asked
Frank.
".If,thcy are; not in the forccastlc all
hands mnat DC ashore" answered the dctcc.
two. ,J5 tiNI%
"lf they arc aboard they must BE around
by this timc.'
"Not necessarily; We would be warned
instantly, as the furCcastlo hatch is under