The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-02-02


him that wish to see him, and let the
quartermaster and yourself return with
him. Should he be fractious, do moth
ing but report at once. Have paper and
pencil ready, and make notes ofmy con-
versation with him. We may need proof
of what is said"
After the purser left, the captain
| opened a drawer, from which he took a
pair of hand-cufis, which he unlocked
two navy revolvers, the caps of which
he closely examined, and put the tools
under the edge of his mattrass within
easy reach. He then sat down, and
quietly awaited the return of his officers.
In few minutes the purser returned
with the murderer, closely followed by
the quartermaster, whom the captain
directed to close the door and to remain
outside. Motioning the man to a seat,
the captain said: "Good-morning, sir.
OF course you know me, and / presume
YOU are convinced that l know YOU.
Purser, please examine this mans
ticket"
Without a word the man handed the
purser his ticket.
'.The ticket is all right, captain, ex-
cept the name," said the purser.
Pulling the photograph out of his
that man Why is his name not on the
ticket?'
A gleam of surprise passed over the
mans features, as he replied: captain,
/ see that you know me. What do you
want of meP Have not behaved my
self on board your ship?"
''YOu have come to the point at once"
replied the captain. '.In threatening
the life of another passenger you have
rendered yourself amenable to ship dis
cipline, and my purpose in calling you
here is to tell you that you must let that
townsman of yours alone. Ifyou threat
en- him again, or modest him, l will put
you in double irons and take you back
to San Francisco. Besides this, / will
see that you are marked man on the
transit. You will be pointed out to the
sergeant of the guard in charge of the
specie, and on the slightest attempt at q
disturbance, you will be shot down in
your tracks. Your fate is in your own
hands behave yourself, and you will not
be disturbed f..t
'.That's pretty hard lay for man,
captain" said the desperado.
s.Well,' replied the captain, '.it is
onsy hard in case you deserve it. Now
go forward, and mind you keep quiet
no more threats. | shall hear of them,
and if harm befal1s your townsman 1
shall hold you to account"
A few days later the Pacific voyage
was ended, and the passengers COM
menced their trip across the transit, ac-
cOmpanied by a guard of twenty Mica
raguan soldiers, who told to look
day u '-iilibuster" was particularly dis
lil-a1 IN, fb1, ,raf,
lively and anything but pleasant rec
objection of Walker So our Virginia
City passenger received an amount of
personal attention which he did not at
all relish. But he kept his place, and
went his way undisturbed.
Three years had passed, and the cir
cumstance had nearly faded from the
captains memory. Meanwhile he had
been assigned to duty on the Atlantic.
One cloudy afternoon in December,
while the steamship was doggedly fight
ing IA strong head-wind and high head
sea in the Caribbean, off Morant KEYS,
an accident to the machinery forced her
to call at Savannah, where she anchored
off Tybee. Early next morning the cap
tain left ship with the purser, in the cap
tain's gig, and went up the river to Sa-
vannah. At that time Savannah was
under martial law, Sherman, with his
victorious legions, had reached it on
their way to the sea.
The streets were patrolled by the pro-
vost-guard, and sentinels in blue stood
at the corners. After telegraphing to
New York, the captain and purser were
Immediately occupied in buying coal
and stores, as well as chartering schoon-
er to carry them to the ship at Tybee,
for she drew too much water to reach
the city. These arrangements being
and the work of loading the
schooner started, the captain and purser
went TO the Pulaski House, and ordered
dinner While standing together in the
hotel office, rough looking character
and, walking close to the cap
tain, said, in a surly voice: Captain,
1 s'pose you don't know me?''
..Really, sir,'' replied the captain, II
do not. presume you may have been
a passenger with me at some time.''
The captain hardly wondered at his IN
ability TO recognize the man, for his eyes
We're blOod-shot-one of them showed |
signs of a free-fght, his clothes were
shabby. and his head covering was an old
slouched hat.
We'll" said the seedy fellow, '.you
the man you were going to
have shot in Nicaragua. I'm the man;
and want to tell you, captain, I've got |
you now. You won't leave this town
III cut your ID heart out -
The captain stepped back a few feet,
and, quickly recovering his presence CT |
mind, replied '.rn try to be ready for
you, sir.'
With this, the desperate left the room,
and the proprietor of the hotel said
'Why, captain, where have you met |
that man? He is one of the most desper
ate scoundrels in town, and will kill you
on sight, if he can for he means what
he says. Are you armed?"
"No." replied the captain.
swell, You must not leave this house
without being heeled." And, leaving
the office, the landlord soon returned |
with pair of navy revolvers and two !
bowie knives, which he handed to the
captain and purser, saying: ''Here are
the tools take them with you to the
ship, and return them by the pilot. Look
sharp when you turn corners, and don't |
run any unnecessary risks after dark. l
will now report to the provost-guard
what the scoundrel said to the captain,
and have him watched. He don't want
to get into their hands, for they are
down on him, and he knows they VIII
make short work ofhim if he gives them
a chance"
The captain and pursor acted on his
friendly advice. They turned corners
with care, and when finally, at ten
o clock that night, they went on board
the coal-laden schooner at the levee,
they walked as if in an enemy country.
But they reached the ship in safety, and
were soon on their way to New York,
where the captain bade adieu to his pas
sengers, and the incident at Savannah
passed from his mind. 1t was suddenly
recalled to his attention by reading the
following extract from a Savannah
paper:
A DARKROOM MURDER.-James NJ, known
to the police as ''Fightin9 Jimmy" trouble
some character and well-known desperate, was
shot by an unknown party in a bar-room light
two nights since at saloon near the levee.
Savannah can well spare him. Noarrests have
been made thus far.
4 l.. L. T.; f,ta