Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-05-29

| uneasy 6CaC0 OF nina, ana 1t was with
establishment that they found themselves
in the morning, still in full possession OF
their worldly goods. This improved
condition of affairs seemed to reassure
our passengers, who once again began to
look cheerful and at ease.
Reginald Moore's pleasant face wore
its wonted smile, and, as heretofore, he
enlivened and charmed us with his
vivacity and anecdotes. All day
through he worked on the model of the
Janet's Pride, still using the top of the
empty water cask for work table.
That night we retired to rest with mind
far more at ease than on the previous
one. Alas! what a sense of anger and
distress came with the morning! Every
passenger on board possessing jewelry had
been robbed during the night.
The three old gentlemen, the young
married couples, and the kind-hearted
brother and sister, found themselves
minus of every article of jewelry that
they had possessed. Even the grumbline
old gentleman had lost his gold snuff
box.
There was no keeping matters quiet
this time. The thief must be traced and
brought to justice. What was the wiaest
method of procedure? What would Mr..
Moore suggest3
To this proposition We unanimously
agreed.
"This," he continued, "must be most
humiliating to the feelings of your crew,
captain, and therefore, in common fair
ness to them as our fellow.men, let me
also suggest that every passenger and
every passengers luggage be also thor
oughly searched"
A little hesitation on the part of one
or two of the passengers was demon
strated before acceding to this last pro-
posal, but our pleasant passenger soon
contrived to bring those who at first
demurred to his side of thinking.
"Of course" he said, "there is not a
passenger on board who is not ak owe sus-
picion, yet, in justice to the feelings of
the crew, it is in my humble opinion,
the least we can do"
This delicacy of feeling and this
thong Oh the part Of Reginald
Moore rendered him, If possible, more
admirable and praiseworthy in our eyes
than ever.
Many of the crew objected strongly to
this mode of procedure, but all were
compelled to submit. The old boatswain
was furious with indignation, and vowed
that if it cost him his life he would trace
the thief who had caused him to be
searched like common pickpocket.
Even the pleasant passenger failed to
soothe his sense of injury.
Well, thorough search was made bv
myself, in company with the kind
hearted old gentleman and his sister.
Every ones straps" were ransacked
from top to bottom without success.
Further search was useless. What
was to be done?
That night, all having been made snug,
and the passengers having turned in,
none of them, as you may imagine. in
very brilliant spirits, l went on deck, it
being what we call at sea "the captains
watch"
turned in about A. NJ, the second
officer then coming on duty. My cabin
was amidships and on deck, and from a
window therein could command view
Of the after-deck of the ship.
Somehow or other, I could not rest one
atom; so, dressing myself, determined
upon sitting up and smoking. drew
aside the blind of the window I have
and looked out.
1t was just the gray light of early
morning, and there was q stifiish breeze
blowing. To my surprise, 1 beheld Mr..
Reginald Moore on deck.
was about to open my cabin door
and invite Linn to join me in my rest
[essness, when the peculiar nature of his
proceedings riveted my attention. He
looked around on all sides, as ii afraid of
observation.
Then, suddenly, as if assured the
:oast was clear, he made rapidly toward
he empty water cask, on which he was !
to manufacture his model of
|anet's Pride. Once more glancinq
about him, he then applied
lis hands to the top of the cask. and
With a rapid movement, lifted half of !
he top bodily of.
My astonishment and my excitement
we're intense. Another hasty glance /
'ound, and he plunged his hand down
nto the cask, then quickly withdrew it,
holding in his grasp a small bag, which
le rapidly concealed in the breast of his
,oat.
Again he took a hasty survey. and
vas about making another dive into this
TRANCE receptacle for hidden goods.
Vhen he suddenly withdrew, having,
nth astonishing rapidity, replaced the
id of the cask. In another moment
he cause of his alarm was made appar.
Mt, as couple of sailors passed him on
heir way to relieve the man at the
'heel.
When all was again quiet, for an
Instant he seemed determined to at once
eturn to the cask, and no doubt with
raw something more that the interrup.
ion had prevented him Withdrawing in
ne first instance. But suddenly chang.
ng his mind. he went down the stairs
nat led from the deck to the saloon and
leeping cabins.
Scarcely had he disappeared when an.
Their 1gure, stealthily crossing the deck.
net my anxious observation. It waa the
oatsWain. ~" $3.50 .'-~
l saw him glance towards the stairs.
own which Mr.. Reginald Moore had
aken his departure. He then made
lrect for the water cask. It was nov
bvious to me that the old boatswain had
zen Watching the pleasant passenger.
Just % he reached the water cask a
eavy green. sea struck the ship to wind
ard, necesaitating the boabwain to hold
. BY the ropes 50 Is to keep his footing,
I'D precisely at the same moment Reei.
Il Moore appeared at the top of tie
bin stairs. I shall never forget the
enc.
The instant the ship had steadied her.
ii the boatswain commenced his exam.
'ation OF the water cask. For q mo.
ont only Moore stood looking ct him