Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-08-06
"Ay, ay, sir !"


visible 20 all. 1t appeared to he an old II
hulk. with single mast i'll the - ".
The bell was suspended from the lhh
head. and ever and anon sent forth Its c
solemn tolling, as the hulk rose ana
sank with the heaving Of the sea.
Before the ship was brought to, we
had passed the hulk some distance, so {
that when we halted there were several
hundred yards intervening, and II was
only dimly discernible.
A boat was lowered, and the Captain,
having selected crew, pulled away
toward the latter.
There was something so extraordinary
regarding the appearance and action OF
the hulk that the curiosity OF US all was
40 intense as to be painful. We strained
our gaze as the Captain and crew drew
rapidly near it.
We saw the distance swiftly decrease
between tho two objects, until the
shadowy forms merged into one. And
.ban followed an impressive silence
suddenly broken by howl, pistol
sbot and a scream and, as our hearts
almost stopped beating, we saw a mo-
mant later the boat pull off from the
hulk, and the men rowing with all their
might back to the ship. As they came
nearer, We discerned that the Captain
was missing.
Backstay Bob dashed toward the boat,
and. shaking ihis fist at the men, de-
manded furiously, "You cowardly dogs,
where is Capt. Luster -.
1.-The devil has got him "
Absurd as the reply might have
!. seemed at any other time, 1t was uttered
in solemn earnest, as the CHASTITY faces
Of tho crew attested. In reply to oul
eager questions, they said the moment
4 ! they came along the craft they heard I
:. low, hollow, unearthly sound. which
caused them to hesitate. The Captain
climbed up the side of the vessel, de
:, sceuded the hatchway and disappeare'
= from view. he was hardly out OF sight
:. when the noise they had heard at firs
. was repeated far louder and fiercer. Th
next moment the report OF the Captain
pistol was heard, followed by q terrlb
shriek. and then all was still
he Horror-struck, they called loudly an
,v repeatedly to their commander, but r'
i ceiving no answer, pulled away from I'll
Il. ship. :,
an YOU'RE purity set OF cowafo
~ snenks. amt you, to go and desert yo'
!, CAPTAIN that way, when, like enough
af. needed you to save his life" exclalm'
Backstay Bob, forgetting, in his fur
,ss that the first mate was among tho
70 xhom he denounced. "Tm going la
no 10 that old hulk, and. if cant get
re- the devil in any other way, Ill p"
ing keg of powder in it and blow it
Ter, blazes!'
"Bob is right, if his excitement dc
ap- make him forget his manners, SAID
ude mate. cit was not my intention to
sert Can't. Luster in trouble. The N
ent- were so frightened that I thought 1t b
in 70 come back and get new set.
There WAS some trouble in procur
ain the reouisite number, and accoriln
lilies Prescott and myself were accepted
Of the passengers. The boat showed
med and we rapidly neared the hulk wi
ilor. had acquired strange interest ''
all.
,lied Prescott. in addition to his revol
, are lad long italian dagger, winch
served him handle. as if to assure
was Iself that it was reliable. Then, al
and replaced it, he remarked to me, "Ih
nent. NO telling what's inside that mas
his lumber. and this may be the wear
emily need after all.
ed it, Arriving at the craft, after
dark consultation it was agreed that
raves, four oarsmen, the mate and m
}. YOU should remain behind, while Bacl
v one Rob and William Prescott shoul'
Of it." nlore the hulk. As it was morally
wheel tain that some dreadful danger mel
rward all who entered the cabin, and as
to his GOOD for nothing, Ineeded no more +"
speak than did the mate to remain In ID
even sition. III.
word Prescott was nrst' no''hns ,i'
ally he in one hand and ian'erh ~ I =;
"She while Bob followed closely with d
hoom lass. We saw them descend the
Ls like xav: all was still, and then l heal
Hold single exclamation from Prescott
rugged my God!"
swings This was followed oy 'erii',
me the quick succession OF pistol 81
fierce struggle. and then all Wa
}" again. The next moment both r
)" and Backstay Bob emerged 70
points," covered from head to foot with D
st tho Come aboard. said he.. y
ger is over"