The Grant County herald. (Big Stone City, Grant County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1883, 1880-04-03

charge of the deck, was reclining list.
lessly against the rail further aft. where
the hatchway was hid from view bv the
cabin.
The slide was open.
tbs heart beat quick with excitement,
! pQt nolselessly as a cat, Dan crept down
TO to the lower deck and groped for the
| ilatchWay that opened into the lower
hold.
He was so certain that danger was afoot
that he was not startled when he saw a
pale, faint, reddish light, and found the
lower hatchway open.
Inc hold was not SC closely slowed
bat what one could move about in it
quite freely. And lowering himself care
lully, Dan saw that the light came from
a lantern, and that ii cast a glare direct
Y IN the face of the passenger, who was
kneellng and working at something upon
tie floor
$50 that's the way Death looks, eh9,'
thought Dan, He couldn't we'll look
worse and he eyed the haggard, ghast-
ly face.
hat grating noise is that?" he asked
himself; and the same instant he sprapp
forward with crv of horror.
The passenger had IN auger in his
hands, and saw lay beside hlm.
i.e had bored hole through the side
o1 the vessel below the water line, and
the water was already coming through.
The boy clutched Farnall and shook
hlm like a wild beast
y on are sinking the ship Help.
help"
The madman turned on him quietly,
and nodded.
"l es, We'll all 60 down together
Don't make that outcry. Nobody can
hear you.
He had caught tile bows wrist. and
held n.iu with the unnatural strength OF
the insane.
Nobody could hear him. Dan rcmem-
bercd that, and became suddenly silent.
Horror and fear only made thought more
vivid
Death was just at hand There was
nobody to drive 1t back but himself, and
nc was In this madman hold.
Lie stared into the fierce CLASSY eyes
Farnall laughed back at him.
Il thought Of burning. but this is
quletest ] want to GO calmly into the
great hereafter. We shall all 90 together
in-a few Minutes glancino at the
stream q waite. grsliiFs, oat Of he open
ing
. mother, mother" cried the shiver-
n1g boy.
Wen al go together. Kings among
the anclents went across the styx attend
cd hy the slaves slain on their burial T.
viii be followed by the Yankee captain
and his crew y
4 sudden flash lighted Dams eyes.
Not by the captain he said
His own voice startled him, it was 50
calm, and in a tone 50 different from any
In which he had ever spoken before
"The captain and Mr.. Briggs will es-
cape !" he cried.
why, what ito you meanz' cried Far
nell Escape How can they escape2'
Because they are not in the hold
They Will take to the boats
| never thought of the boats.
Dan felt a chill run over him. He
tried to speak but his voice failed He
had but one chance, and he must try it.
Il will 90 and bring the captain and
Mr.. Briggs down, if you like. Then they
can [ get away.
la, ha. Pretty good Joke. Well, 20
bring them and be quick" looscnlng his
hold and and pushing Dan away.
Dan walked slowly TO tire ladder, then
he made one wild spring up.
To the hold To the hold 4 leak T
he shrieked, and fell, gasping, to the
deck.
Within an hour the madman was in
irons, and the leak had been stopped,
and the water pumped out Of the hold.
The danger was passed and all snug and
taut.
The crew made hero Of Dan. Even
Captain Payson spoke out his hearty
praise:
"The lad saw what was to be done, and
did Il. He had courage, and what is
better, good sense Who taught YOU to
use your wits, my boyl'
INV mother, sir. said Dan.