Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 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 q 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, and found the lower hatch
way open.
The hold was not so closely slowed but
what one could move about in it quite
freely, and on lowering himself carefully
Dan SAW that the light came from
lantern, and that it cast glare directly
upon the face of the passenger, who was
kneeling and working at something upon
the floor.
$50 that is the way death looks, hey?"
thought Dan. He couldn't we'll look
worse, and he eyed the haggard, CHASTITY
face.
What grating noise is that?" he asked
himself; and in the same instant he sprang
forward with cry of horror.
Tho 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 Farnell and shook him
like wild beast. You are sinking the
ship. Help! help!"
The mailman turned upon him quietly,
and nodded.
Yes, We'll all 60 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
edthat, and became suddenly silent. Hor-
ror and fear only made thought more vivid
body to drive it back but himself, and he
was in this madman's hold.
He stared in the fierce, CLASSY eyes with
an agony of hesitation.
Farnell looked back at him.
Il thought of burning, but this is quietest.
want to go calmly into the great hereafter.
We shall all go together ina few min
| utes," glancing at the stream of water gush-
ing out of the opening.
oh mother, mother!" cried the shiv-
ering boy.
We'll all go together Kings among
the ancients went across the Styx attended
by the slain on their burial will be fol-
| lowed by the Yankee captain and his crew."
| A 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 chill run over him. He tried
to 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 his
hold, and pushing Dan away.
Dan walked slowly to the ladder, then he
made one wild spring up.
ITO the hold! To the hold! A leakr
he sbrieked. and fell to the deck
Within another hour the mailman was in
irons, the leak hat been stopped, and the
| water was pumped out of the hold. This
danger was past, and all snug and taut.
The crew made q 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 youl
wits, my boy?"
MY mother, sir" said Dan.