The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-03-06
g The watch isn't out replied the

The watch isn't OUT" replied the
mste.
In the meantime the sail was Tapping,
and two men ran out to stow il. When
a large portion Of the sail had been
taken of the ship, eight bells struck,
and the larbosrd watch prepared to go
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, sit is his
helm, and he ought to 90 there"
The mate gave a 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
oroered 8 strict search to be made for
him.
He's gone overheard, of course"
said an old sailor. ..
Why do you think so" .
Because he was the first man on the
deck when Mr.. B. called the watch"
What did Mr.. B. call the watch ?''
demanded the second mate.
g Yes, sir"
"And Bolton came up first l should
think that Mr.. B. must have seen him go
overheard"
"Or heard him YELL" added the tar.
No more was said at the time but it
was afterward saying among the sailors
that if Bolton had not been 50 great a
iavorite OF the first mate. they should
have believed that the latter had thrown
him overheard. Brit what is the life of
a friendless, unknown sailor? There's
nothing wonderful in a 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 being forgotten
by every one."
The Spaniard's face wss dreadfully
flushed, and his eyes were flaming.
Suddenly he half screamed, more as if
forced to speak than as if the revelation
came from him of his own accord.
mo! mop calculated he, wildly.
Every one did not forgetl The muir
dered youth was never, never. never to
be forgotten by one-One man on board
that cratt-h- who flung that unhappy
lad into the sea ~
We leaped to our feet, in apprehension
of what was to follow.
"I-I was the first mate, Birbeak 1,
Gaspard, ManuelO, what name you
please / slew him He knew that
great secret of mine When a schoolboy
he saw me from the housetop, on the
top gallant yard of a brig, in company
with a seaman. He saw us quarreling,
and he saw me knock poor Charley flor
that was his namel off the yard.
Chsrley'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 fiogging;
but it was too dangerous q secret for me;
it placed me in the power of this Bolton
as long as he lived. | resolved TO put
him out of the way on the first OppOr-
tunity, and the better 10 conceal my
purpose, l pretended to be very much
his friend After | threw him overheard
l could hear his cries mingiiDg with the
shrek of the tempest, and | was much
surprised that others did not hear them
too. Oh, God l hear them now !"
So screaming, he tried to spring up
from the cask ne sat astride of, but his
dizzied brain mystifed his vision, and
he fell to the ground On the ruins of the
goblet he had fourished so recklessly
awhile before. And we picked him up
dead-ay, dead as the victim Of his malice
so long ago overwhelmed, who had per-
ished because he knew so much of the
crimes of the wesrer of the Red Jacket.