The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-11-09

BY this time all hands had come down
from aloft.
The Captain soon returned and stated
that he could find nothing out of the
way, but was convinced in my own
mind that something was out of the
way. So the old man gave me leave to
go below and satisfy myself. / could
find nothing, but at the same time was
far from being satisfied. i asked why
was Barker, of all others, down belowY
We told the crew of our suspicious, and
ordered them to keep lookout on Bar
ker's movements.
AS the night came on the guard was
relieved and cautioned by the sergeant
to be on the alert. 1t seemed kind of
queer to me that the convicts remained
so quiet, for beyond low conversation
their voices were scarcely audible, but 1
thought afterward that probably they
intended to get good nights rest, and
preferred to keep still.
l lay awake some time after turning
in; but my eyes finally grew heavy,
and was In the land of dreams away
off in Boston. My mother came up to
my room I was still in my dreams) to
tuck in the bed-clothes. felt her gen.
tie touch on the blankets but why did
she place her hand over my mouth? 1
opened my eyes to see the reason.
The glittering blade of sheath-knife
was held before them. knew the reason
then pretty quick, assure you, for Bar
ker held it.
"Now, Steeraway," says he. 'you
just keep quiet, and you wont be hurt.
Open your mouth and you won't know
what hurt you."
1 knew that any movement on my
part would be my death warrant.
'Will you keep quiet If take my
hand from your mouth ?'
nodded my head in the affirmative
and his hand was removed.
Now, Steeraway," says he, 81 am
going to put little stopper in your
mouth. 1 won't hurt you, for L know
how to do these things"
He evidently did, for 1 was very soon
bound hand and foot, a gag placed In
my mouth and your humble servant
was rendered as useless as dead man.
The convict then left me and disappear
ed. had not been alone more than ten
minutes when heard voice near the
berth say, "All right"
In moment more light draft of air
entered my stateroom, and it smelt
strongly of pentup air--a sort of convict
odor, so to speak.
The bulkhead had been removed and
the cabin was soon crowded with pris-
oners. Not a sound did they make, for
their irons were off, and the thought
flashed quickly upon me, our ship is in
their hands, may the Lord have mercy
on our crew.
Silently they went up the cabin stairs;
then heard quick rushing sound,
shouts, yells, curses, then few shots in
quick succession several splashes near
my cabin headlight; more shouts and
yells.
"Down with them Now or neverl"
mo Van Dieman's for us Down
with theml !"
In vain heard several voices pleading
for mercy. Finally the shouts and yells
ceased, then the quick, hurried tramp
of feet overhead. Presently step
descends the stairs, the rope binding me
was cut, the gag torn from my mouth,
and gruff voice said:
"Come, Steeraway, you are wanted
on deck. Lively, now"
came to the conclusion that it was
useless to deliberate, and obeyed the
order at once. 1t was not necessary for
me to ask what the matter was. knew
that well enough, at glance.
Barker-that scoundrel Barker-was
an escaped convict, and had shipped on
board the Marathon for the purpose of
aiding his friends, and, from the appear
ance of things, he had succeeded beyond
his utmost expectations. AS emerged
from the cabin, 1 was greeted with /.
Here he is, by several of the striped
jacket gentry. Now, Steeraway, we
want you to mind and do just as we tell
you-or what Joe Gosshawk, the Cap
tain tells yojsrsan you won't be hurt !;
but If you don't why overheard you go.
We know you can navigate; now which
is1it,shafks' dinner or obey orders 2"
4 OF course L. didn't want to ease the
appetite of the jetfinned wolves that