The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-03-09

way unquestioned. for the mate, who had
charge Of the deck, was reclining listlessly
against the rail further aft, where the
hatchway was hid from view by the cabin.
The slide was open.
His heart beat quick with excitement,
but noissless as a cat, Dan crept down to
the lower deck. and CROPPED his way for
the hatchway that opened into the lower
hold.
He was so certain danger was afoot that
he was not startled when he saw q faint,
reddish light. aud found the lower hatch
way open.
The hold was not so closely slowed but
what one could move about in it quito
freely, and on lowering himself carefully
Dan saw that the light came from a
lantern, and that it cast glare directly
upon the face Of the passenger, who was
kneeling and working ut something upon
the floor.
$50 that is the way death looks, hey2"
thought Dan. HE couldn't well look
worse" and he eyed the haggard, CHASTITY
face.
"What grating noise is that2" he asked
himself; and in the same instant he sprang
forward with cry of horror.
The passenger had an augor in his hands,
and a saw lay beside him.
He had bored hole through the side of
the vessel, below the water line, and the
water was already coming through.
The boy clutched Fnrnell and shook him
like wild beast. ''You are sinking the
ship. Help! help!"
The mailman turned upon him quietly,
and nodded
Eyes, we'll all go down together. Don't
make that cutlery. Nobody can hear you"
He had caught the boys wrist and held
him with the unnatural strength of the in
sane.
Nobody could hear him. Dan remember
ed that, and became suddenly silent. Hor-
ror and fear only made thought more vivid.
Death was just at hand There was no.
body to drive it back but himself, and he
was in this madmans hold.
He stared in the fierce, CLASSY eyes with
an agony of hesitation.
Farneu looked back at him.
II thought of burning, but this is quietest.
I want to go calmly into the great hereafter.
We shall all 90 together ina few min
ing out OF the opening.
"Oh, mother, mother!" cried the shiv-
ering boy.
We'll all go together. Kings among
the aucients went across the Styx attended
by the slain on their burial. will be fol-
lowed by the Yankee captain and his crew."
\ sudden flush lighted Dams eyes.
"Not by the captain he said
His own voice startled him, 1t was so
calm, and in tone so very different from
any in which he had spoken before. "The
captain and Mr.. Briggs will escaped" he
cried.
"Why. what do you mean?" cried Far
nell Escape! How can they escape?"
Because they are not in the hold. They
will take to the boats"
Il never thought of the boats"
Dan felt q chill run over him. He tried
20 speak, but his voice failed. He had but
one chance, and he must try it.
II will go and bring the captain and Mr..
Briggs down, if you like. Then they can't
get away
"Ha, ha! Pretty good joke. Well go
bring them and be quick!" loosening Ills
:iold and pushing Dan away.
Dan walked slowly to the ladder, then he
made one wild spring up.
ITO the hold! To the hold! A leak"
he sbrieked. and fell to the deck.
Within another hour the mailman was in
irons, the leak hau been stopped, and the
water was pumped out Of the hold. The
danger was past, and all snug and taut.
The crew made hero Of Dan. Even
Capt. Payson spoke out his heavy praise:
The lad saw what was to be done: and
did it. He had courage, and, what is better,
good sense. Who taught you to use your
wits, my boy?"
INV mother sir" said Dan