Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-07-09

coffin being brought aboard. The wo-
mans eyes ran over the schooners deck
with a strange quickness, and Carter
eyed her very sharply. Soon she went
to the taffrail and came and stood by the
pinnacle again.
"Look out, or you'll jibe the boom,'
uttered the passenger.
Carter started, and found that the
mainsail was shivering. He gave the
helm couple ofspokes apart, and then
cast his eyes again upon the woman.
"Thank'e ma'am, "said Dan. "Ha, hold
on-why bless my soul, there's big
spider right on yourhair No-not there
Here-rll-Ugh"
The last ejaculation Dan made as he
seemed to pull something from the
woman's hair, which he threw upon
the derk with the "Ugh!' above men,
toned.
Shortly after the passenger went be-
low, and ere long Tucker came on deck.
Commodore" said Carter, with a
remarkable degree Of earnestness in his
manner, "is that 'oman turned in?
~ rather think So" said Tucker,
looking at the compass. Look out,
look out. Carter! Why, man alive,
you're two points to the south'ards of
your course"
elbow me! sol am, said the man,
bringing the helm smartly aport. "But
say, didn't you notice anything peculiar
about the old 'omanp
"Why, Dan, you seem greatly inter-
ested about her."
$50 I am Commodore, an so | am
about the coffin too. Wouldn't it be well
for you and | to overhaul it %
"Pshaw! you're as scared as a child
in a graveyardw
"No, not a bit. just bark bit. That
oman amt no 'oman."
The commodore pronounced the name
Of his satanic majesty in the most en-
phatic manner.
"Ies the truth, commodore-I pur--
tended there was spider on her hair,
and l rubbed my hand agin her face.
By Sam Hyde if it wasn't as rough and
bearded as a holy stone. You see, she
told me as how I'd let the boom jibe if
didn't look out. Iknowed there was no
oman there, and SO | tried her. Call
somebody to the wheel and let's 90 and
look at the coffin"
The commodore was wOnderstruck by
what he had heard, but, with calm
presence Of mind that made him what
he was, he set coolly to thinking. In
few minutes he called one of the men
aft to relieve Carter, and then went
down to look after bis passenger. The
latter had turned in and seemed to be
sleeping. Turner returned and took
Carter one side.
ono noise now Carter; follow me as
though nothing had happened"
"Sartin."
The two approached the main hatch
and stopped to raise it, when Dams
hand touched small ball that seemed
to have been pinned up under the break
of the hatch.
otis ball of twine," said he.
"Don't touch it, but run and get a Ian
term" replied Tucker.
Carter sprang to obey, and when he re-
turned q number of the men had gath
cred about the spot. The hatch was
raised, and the commodore carefully
picked up the ball of Irvine and found
that it was made fast to something be-
low. He descended to the hold, and
there he found that the Irvine ran in be-
meath the lid of the coffin. He had no
doubt in his mind now that there was
mischief boxed up below, and sent
Carter for something that might answer
for O screw-driver. The man soon re-
turned with a stout knife, and the COM
modore set to work. He worked very
carefully, keeping q bright lookout for
the string.
At length the screws were out and the
lid very carefully lifted from its place.
"Great God in heavenw burst from
the lips of the commodore.
"By Sam Hyde ~ dropped like thun-
from the tongue of Houng Dan.
"God bless you, DAM said the COM
81 know'd it, muttered Dan.
The two men stood for a moment and
gazed into the coffin. There was no
dead man there, but inplace thereof was
for the death of score. The
coffin was filed with gunpowder and
Fleetwood, upon light framework in
the centre were arranged four pistols,
4 4 4 II