The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-02-13
below, leaving me in charge of the


Giving my men orders to keep a
strict look out, wearily paced the
quarter deck my bead ached, and
there was n weight on my spirits,
that endoavored in vain to shake
of.
Suddenly, much TO my surprise,
FOR I had supposed him to be nsleep
below--the voice OF the mato start
led me from my revery.
Disregarding my impatient ges-
tnres, he joined mo iu my walk. en-
deavoring to enter into friendly
conversation.
But in addition TO my rooted dis
like to my companion. my headache
rendered ms irritable. aud my replies
were none OF the longest.
So far from resesting my rudeness
however. he bore 1t all with unrufii ID
good nature. "what ia the matter
with you. Mr.. Ilcrno = he asked at
length. "You seem ont Of sorts Z
MY head aches badly answers
cd.
There's no fun in that, that's q
fact. I'll tell you what, you go be-
low and turn in for an hour. will
take charge OF tho deck for you.
Maybe you will feel better for lit.
tic rest
Unexpected as was the offer, I did
not feel thankful for it Somehow,
il came natural for me to contradict
him on oil possible occasions, apart
from my duties on board
A moment before I had been wish q.
ing that | was FREQ to turn in noe
I declined the proffer Of relief
"But I insist upon it he exclaim-
cd, aud he did insist upon it no
strongly that my curiosity was A.
reused Us 10 what his motives c)ull
be, for desiring my absence, as he SO
evidently did.
! determined to remain where /
was. Tho mate grew angry at last.
"Mr. Herne 80 below, sir !! he ex-
claimed. 90 beloS and turn in !!
Yon wish to make yourself sick, /
suppose, aud shirk duty tomorrow
but you can't come that dodge over
mo ! / order you to go bslowi'
10 have disregardsd 50 positive a
command, would have, laid me open
to the charge OF insubordination, SO
I obeyed apparently
In reality paused on the ladder,
my bead being just below tho level
Of tho combiugs round the hatch
way,
Tho mates inexplicable conduct
had now excited feeling deeper
than neutrality-suspicious. within me,
aud urged by IN irresistible impulse,
resolved to ace what he would do,
now that he had. rs he supposed, SO
cnred nv absence.
The night was intensely dark, and
unless he should approach, 80 as to
look down ths h,tchway, was se-
cure from detection.
There WAS short silence, and
then long, low whistle sounded
from the direction in which | had
left the mate.
An instant more. and he was Join.
ed by one OF the watch.
Then I heard his voice, in close
proximity TO my concealment.
else. 30 low and cautions were his
words, must have lost there sense.
Now. Robbins, that I've managed
to get rid of that mar-plot-lets
have our talk. We must be quick
about it too, for l half believe the
.llow suspects something, 'hough he
can't make out exactly what. He
may pop on deck again at any min
ute
II thought you we're 80 sure of
him over, growled another
voice.
"ihopsd to, at first, but he's not
of our sort, Robbius. I have not
dared to hint on our designs to him
on the contrary, I've soft soaped him;
but he don't take very kindly to the
bait. He hates me, curse him.
"Let him walk the plank with the
others, then.
"That's inst what mean to do
and what's more, We must give him
to the fishes this very night !! The
crew are all ready. you say?
Say! That they are ; as hungry |
for the gold as you could wish. But
thought you said Tomorrow night
was the time to rise
$50 I did; but | tell you that fel'
low suspects something / kao~
he does, and he will keep watch on
ne. There's no time like the pres
ant, in such cases. He will be on
deck again in half an hour, and I'll
pretend to see vessel bearing down
On us, and 80 get him forward to tue
bows; once there we can easily give
him o shove overheard aud then we
,an rush down on the captain and
passengers. We shall have no troub
n getting rid Of them.
"What 7 exclaimed the other, kill
hem in their sleepi'
"What would you have, man
Shall we wake them, put weapons
% their hands. and ask them to fight
Is 4? I tell you know how these
.hings must be done. Hark ye,
in an hour We shall be
masters OF the ship, and s.ch OF rs
% worth ten thousand dollars 10
,olid gold +! just think Of that /
"But you arc sure the money is on
BOARD z