The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-02-02
A TALE OF TWO SEAS.

1t was steamer day in San Francisco
"a dull June morning, some seventeen
years ago. The wharf was crowded with
Eastward-bound Californians, who were
embarking on the steamship. Precisely
at noon the engine-bells struck, the pom
derous wheels revolved, and as the
echoes of the parting gun reverberated
among the hills and over the placid wa
tiers of the bay, eight hundred souls
commenced the homeward journey via
Nicaragua.
Scarcely had the ship passed Meiggs
wharf before the passengers observed
with surprise that she had stopped, and
simultaneously they were all ordered on
deck, while half dozen police officers
made a thorough search of the ship,
which occupied two hours. During this
time the captain impatiently walked the
bridge, and occasionally, in response to
his bell, the engines made a few revolu-
tions to keep the ship in position. At
last the well-known face of Captain
L., the chief of the detective force
presented itself at the gangway, accom-
panied by his aids. With wave of the
hand, and adieu to the captain, they
entered their boat, and were pulled to-
ward the shore. The wheels once more
commenced their long task. Passing at
fullspeed through the Golden Gate, the
steamer reached the open sea, and as
the sun dipped in the waters of the Pa
cific, the shores of California faded in
the distance.
That evening, after inspection, at
eight bells, the captain was seated in the
purser's office, in friendly conversation,
looking over the passenger list.
by the way, purser," he said, ''what
occasioned the unusual pertinacity of
our friend, Captain L, in searching
the ship this afternoon. 1 felt like
bringing him TO sea, and giving him all
the time he wanted.''
The purser made no reply, but took
from his pocket a photograph, which he
handed to the captain, who looked at it,
and said: ''Well, what has this got to
do with it ?''
'.You remember" replied the purser,
''that murder in Virginia City fort
night since2s That is the portrait of the
l. said he had positive in
formation that he would be on board
here, and tried hard to find him. One
of his men was an officer from Nevada,
with a requisition, and, as a large re-
ward is offered for the man, tEey were
very anxious to get him, but failed.
However, the detective left his picture,
and requested me to tell you about it.
We may see him on board during the
down trip, and you may feel ike using
your magisterial authority in returning
him to the police when we get back"
The captain looked carefully at the
portrait, which was that of young
man, rather fast-looking, but without
any popularity that would distinguish
him in crowd. "Well, purser," said
he, ..look out for him, and let me know
if you see him. He may be slowed
away somewhere. think shall know
him should l set eyes on him." With
this the captain returned the picture,
babe the purser goodnight, and went to
the pilot-house.
The fogs and winds of the California
coast had given place to the tropical
warmth of the Mexican coast, when,
one afternoon, as the captain was lei
surely walking toward the dining saloon,
his eyes fell upon face that startled
him-the face of man who, for an in
slant, withstood his searching glance
without ilinching. rs the captain nom
passed by, turned TO the dim
then, quickening his pace,
passed through and entered the purser's
room. where he found that gentleman
his dinner toilet.
You know that fellow of whom we
were speaking, purser Let me see his
picture" said the captain, "Yes, that
is the man. ! have spotted him; his
whiskers are cut off, and his hair is long,
lslt that is the man. l know the cut of
his jib."
The captain had indeed spotted his
man. but what to do with him was the
question. There We're no papers on
board authorizing his arrest, and if such
was assumed, while the task
was easy, it might in the end prove
and thankless one. After
full consideration, it was deemed best to
take no notice of the fellow, and avoid
the legal complications which might en-
sue if he were returned to San Fran
cisco.
But three days after. as the ship was
nearing the shores of Central America,
an incident occurred which necessitated
prompt action, and brought the muir
derer face to face with power that
could control him. One morning, about
ten o. clock, a steerage passenger knocked
at the captains door. He was a man in
the prime of life, with the appearance of
a miner, and was shaking " it'll fright
too excited to talk coherently. When
he had collected himself a little, he
asked to speak word in private to the
captain.
'.There is very bad man in the steer
age, captain" said he. ..He murdered
man in Virginia City fortnight be-
fore we left. knew him there by sight,
and seeing him on board, told one or
two about him, and other passengers
got hold of it. He has found out that
exposed him, and he whispered in my
ear few minutes since that he would
get even with me by cutting my ID
heart out. And he will do it, too, cap
tain. if he gets Il chance, either on board
or after we have landed. Can't you do
to keep him quiet, captain?
i think L will go back to San Francisco
in the ship, as / know he will kill me
when i get ashore at Nicaragua"
The man was trembling in every joint,
evidently very much frightened, and
said he was unarmed., The captain, in
q icalm way, explained to him that the
certainty of immediate arrest and pun
ishment would deter the desperate from
carving out his threat while on board !;
and if he had any such murderous in
tentions, he would no doubt wait until
the transit across the isthmus. Mean
while, he advised the panic-stricken pas