The Worthington advance., 1882-03-09

! way unquestioned. for tho 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 noiseless as a cat, Dan crept down to
the lower deck. and groped 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 a faint,
! reddish light, and found the lower hatch
way open.
The hold was not 40 closely slowed bat
| what one could move about in it quito
| freely, AID on lowering himself carefully
Dan saw that the light came from .
santern, 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 Dar. HE couldn't we'll look
| worse, and he eyed the haggard, ghastly
face; !,
himself; and in the same instant he sprang
forward with cry of horror.
The passenger had an augcr in his hands,
and 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 madman turned upon him quietly.
and nodded.
Yes, we'll all 60 down together. Don't
! make that outcry. 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
Death WAS just at hand. There was no.
| body to drive it baek but himself, and he
was in this madman's hold.
He stared in tho fierce, CLASSY eyes with
| an agony Of hesitation.
| Farnell looked back at him.
II thought Of burning, but this is quietest.
| want to 80 calmly into the great hereafter
We shall all 90 together in---a few min
| ntes," glancing at the stream Of water gush-
! ing ont Of the opening.
"Oh, mother, mother" cried the shiv-
ering boy.
Wen all go together: Kings among
| tAe ancients went across the Styx attended
| by the slain on their burial. will be fol-
lowed by the Yankee captain and his crew."
4 sudden flush lighted Dams eyes.
| mot by the captain he said.
| His own voice startled him. it 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 10 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 ana bring the captain and Mr..
Briggs down, if You like. Then they can't
| get away
'Ha, ha! Pretty good joke. Well 90
bring them and be qlick!" loosening Lis
| hold, and pushing Dan away.
! Dan walked slowly to the ladder, then he
made one wild spring up.
| ITO the hold 10 the hold! A leak!'
he sbrieked. and fell to the deck
| Within another hour the mailman was in
irons, the leak hau been stopped, and the
water was pumped ont of the hold The
danger was past, and all snug and taut.
The crew made 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 your
wits, my boy?"
| "My mother. sir" said Dan.