Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1879-03-08

How long this would bave continued, it
Is impossible to say, had not Bolton been
lost overheard in storm of the cape.
There seemed TO be something singular
about the manner Of BoltOn's death.
The mate came to the forecastle and
summoned all hands at midnight.
"The watch is called" said Bolton,
springing from his hammock and hasten,
ing on deck. His watchmates followed
him leisurely. The ship was plunging
badly, being sharp on a wind, and as they
came up the spray flaw all over them.
" Lay hold Of the jib-downbsul here p'
shouted the mate. Where's Bolton
! just told him To-"
" It's his helm" interrupted an old
sailor.
The watch isn't out" replied the
mate.
In the meantime the sail was tapping,
and two men ran out to stow it. When
a large portion Of the sail had been
taken of the ship, eight bells struck,
and the larboard watch prepared to 60
below,
"Bolton isn't at the helm, said the
mate to one of the sailors; "you will
have to take it,"
But" objected the other, "it is his
helm, and he ought to 60 there"
The mate gave perceptible start,
seemed for moment confused and said
" Yes, yes, of course-where can that
fellow be ?"
The second mate came up and took
charge Of the starboard watch, while the
mate went below On hearing that
Bolton was missing, the second mate
orcered a strict search to be made tor
him.
He's gone overheard, OF course"
said an old sailor.
Why do you think go ?"
Because he was the first man on the
deck when Mr.. B. called the watch"
" What did Mr.. B, call The watch 2"
demanded the second mate.
Yes, sir"
And Bolton came up first ? | should
think that Mr. 3. must have seen him 20
overheard"
"Or heard him YELL" added the tar.
No more was said at tae time but it
was afterward a saying among the sailors
that if Bolton had not been 80 great
iayorite of the frat mate, they should
have believed that the latter had thrown
him overheard. But what is the life of
a friendless, unknown sailor There's
nothing wonderful in poor tar being
forgotten by every one."
"Well," said one or two of us who were
comparatively sober, where's the point
of your yarn, Gsspard ? There's nothing
wonderful in a poor Tar beiug forgotten
by every one"
The Spaniard's face was dreadiully
flushed, and his eyes were flaming
Suddenly he half screamed, more IS If
forced TO speak than as if the revelation
came from him OF his own accord.
" No no" calculated he, wildly.
" Every one did not forget. The mur-
deTed youth was never, never. never to
be forgotten by ope--one man on board
that cratt-h7 who flung that unhappy
lad into the sos p
We leaped to our feet, in apprehension
Ol WhaG was TO fellow.
IL was the fist mate, Birbeak |,
Gaspard, Manuelo, what name you
please slew him He knew that
great secret of mine When schoolboy
he saw NE from the housetop, on the
top gallant yard Of brig, in company
With seaman, He saw US quarreling,
and he saw me knock poor Charley (for
that was his namel off the yard.
Charley's brains were dashed out when
he struck that deck, and swore that his
fall was accidental. The knowledge of
this secret saved Bolton from hogging
but it was too dangerous secret for me
it placed me in the power of this Bolton
as long as he lived. l resolved to put
him out of the way on the first oppor>
tunity, and the better to conceal my
purpose, | pretended to be very much !
his friend. After threw him overheard |
| could hear his cries mingling with the
shrek Of the tempest, and was much
surprised that Others did not hear them
too. Oh, God ! | hear them now -
So screaming, he tried to spripg up
from the cask he sst astride of, but his
d.sZied brain mystifed bis vision, and |
ne fell to the ground on the ruins of the
goblet he had houTished so recs lessly |
sWhile before. And we picked him up
dead--ay, dead as the victim Gf his malico |
SO long ago overwhelmed, who had pera
ished because he knew 30 much of the
crimes OF the wearer of the Red jacket. |