The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-01-18
A TALE OF TWO SEAS.

! Ii was steamer daV IN san trGn-
cisco-a dull June morning, some
seventeen years ago. The warf was
crowded with eastern-bound Califer-
mans. who were embarking on the
steamship Precisely at noon the
engine bell struck, the ponderous
wheels revolved, and as the echoes
Of the parting gun reverberated
among the hills and over the placid
waters of the bay, eight hundred
souls commenced the homeward
Journey via Nicaragua.
Scarcely had the vessel passed
Meiggs wharf before The passengers
observed with surprise that she had
stopped, simultaneously they were
all ordered on deck, while half a
dozen police officers made Il thor
ough search Of the ship, which oc-
cupied two hours. During this
time the Captain impatieatly walk
ed the bridge, and occasionally in
response to his bell, the engines
made few revolutions to keep the
ship in position. At last the we'll
known face of Captain l., the
chief of the detective force, present
ed himself at the gangway, accom-
panied by his aids. With a wave
of the hand, and an adieu to the
Captain, they entered their boat, and
were pulled toward the shore.-The
wheels once more commenced their
long task. Passing at full speed
through the Golden Gate, the steam
er reached the open sea, and as the
sun dipped the waters of the Pacific
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 pas
senger list.
"By the way, Purser," said he,
"what occasioned the unusual peril
nacity Of our friend, Captain l.,
in searching the ship this afternoon?
| felt like bringing him to sea and
giving him all the time he wanted.
The Purser made no reply, but
took from his pocket 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 Pur
ser, ''that murder in Virginia City a
fortnight since? That is the portrait
of the murderer. L said that be |
had positive information that he
would be on board here, and tried |
hard to find him. One of his men |
was an officer from Nevada, with a
and, as a large reward is |
offered for the man, they were very /
anxious to get him, but failed
However, the detective left his pic /
.ure, and requested me to tell you |
about it. We may see him on board /
during the down trip, and you may /
feel like using your magisterial au- I
thority in returning him TO the po-
ice when we get back"
The Captain looked carefullya the /
portrait, which was that of a young
man, rather fast looking. but with
1ut any popularity that would dis
.inguish him in a crowd. well, |
Purser," said he, look out for him,
md let me know if you see him.
He may be slowed away some
where. | think ! shall know him
should | set eyes on HIM" With
his the Captain returned the pic
,ure, babe the Purser good night
md went to the pilot house.
The fogs and winds OF the Cali
fornia coast had given place to the
.ropical warmth Of the Mexican
coast. when, one afternoon, as the
Captain was leisurely walking to-
ward the dining saloon, his eyes fell
lpon a face that startled him-the
ace of a man who for an instant
yithstood his searching glance with
,ut flinching as the Captain nom
.halenuy passed by, turned into
he dining saloon, then, quickening
lis pace, passed through and enter
d the Purser's room, where he found
hat gentleman making his dinner
oilet.
aYou know that fellow Of whom
We were speaking, Purser? Let noe
ee his picture" said the Captain.
Yes, that is the man. Lave spot
ed him; his whiskers are cut off, !
nd his hair is long, but that is the
nan. Iknow the cut of his jib."
The Captain had indeed spotted
lis man, but what to do with him
Fas the question. There were no
,apers on board authorizing his ar
est, and if such authority was as
umed, while the task was easy, it
oight iii the end prove a trouble ]