The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-04-21

Here-lll-ughl
The last ejaculation Dan made as he
seemed to pull something from the wo-
mans hair, which he threw upon the
deck with the "ugh" above mentioned.
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, sis the oman turned in?'
81 rather think so" said Tucker,
looking at the compass "Look out,
look out, Carter. Why, man alive,
you're two points southrd of your
course.
"Blow me, so am" said the man,
bringing the helm smartly apoIt. "But
say, didn't you notice something pecu-
liar about the old 'oman?"
"Why, Dan, you seem greatly inter,
ested about her"
$50 am, Commodore, an so am
about the coffin, too. Wouldn't it be
well for you and l to overhaul it?"
"Pshaw! you're as scared as child
in graveyard
'No, not bit. Just bark bit. That
oman amt no oman
The Commodore pronounced the
name of his satanic majesty in the most
emphatic manner.
'It's the truth, Commodore, | 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 holy stone, You see
she told me as how I'd let the boom
jibe if / didn't look. l knowed there
was no oman there, and so l tried.
Call somebody to the wheel and let's
90 and look at the coffin"
The Commodore was thunderstruck
by what he heard but with a cool pres
ence of mind that made him what he
was he set calmly to thinking In a
few minutes he called one of the men
to relieve Carter, and then went down
to look after his passenger. The latter
had turned in and seemed to be sleep
ing Tucker returned and took Carter
to one side.
"No noise, now, Carter follow me
as though nothing had happened"
"Sartin"
The two approached the main hatch
and stopped to reach it, when Dams
hand touched small ball that seemed
to have been pinned up under the break
of the hatch.
''It's ball of twine," said he
''Don't touch it, but run and get the
lantern replied Tucker.
Carter s3rang to obey, and when he
returned number of men had gather.
ed about the spot. The hatch wa.
raised, and the Commodore carefully
picked up the ball of twine and found
that it was made fast to something be
low. He descended to the hold, and
there he found the twine ran in beneath
the lid of the coffin. He had no doub
now that there was mischief below, anC
sent Carter for something that nigh
answer for screw driver The mar
soon returned with stout knife, ant
the Commodore set to work. He worked
very carefully, keeping bright outlool
| ior lhe sIIlhS'
AT length the screws were out ant
the lid very carefully lifted from it
place.
"Great heavens" burst from the lip
of the Commodore.
"By Sam Hyde" dropped like
thunder clap from the tongue of young
Dan.
"God bless you, Dan !" said the Com
modore,
81 knowcd, mutttred Dan.
| The two men stood for a momen
and gazed into the coffin. There wa
10 dead man there, but in place thereo
was material for the death of ascore
| The coffin was filled with gunpowde
and pitchwood; upon a light fran
work in the centre were arranged fou
pistol, all cooked, and the string enter
ing the coffin from without commun
Gated with the triggers of each.
| The first movement of the Commc
dore was to call for water, apd when
was brought he poured three or fou
bucketfuls into the Internal contriyanc,
and then he breathed more freely.
mo, no" he muttered, as he leape
from the hold. "No, no, my men. ID
nothing rashly; let me go into the cabi
first.
Commodore Tucker strobe into tl
cabini walking up to the bunk whel
his passenger lay, and grasping hold
the female dress he dragged its weare
out upon the floor There was a shar
resistance, and the passenger drew
pistol, but it was quickly knocked ava
the gown came forth from the remnan
of calico and linen.
} The fellow was assured that Il
: whole plot had been discovered, and
length he owned that il had been b
plan to turn out in the course of Il
night aud intended to have gone a
) carefully unwinding the string as
4 went along, and then TO have got int
the boat, cut the falls and as the be