The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-01-18


was nearing the shores Of Contra
America, an incident occurred whicl
neoessitated prompt action, an,
I brought the murderer face to fac
with power that could control him
One morning, about 10 o'clock,
steerage passenger knocked at th
Captains door. He was man il
the prime OF life, with the appear
ance Of 4 miner, aud was shakin.
,gith fright-too excited to talk co
herenly. When he had collected
himself a little, he asked to speak ;
word in private TO the Captain.
There is a very bad man in tht
steerage, Captain" said he. "it
murdered q man in Virginia City
a fortnight before he left. | knew
him there by sight, and seeing hin
on board | told one or two about
him, and other passengers got hold
OF it. He has found out that ex'
posed 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 viii
do it, too, Captain, if he gets a
chance, either on boaid or after we
have landed. Can't you do some
thing to eep him quiet, Captain
/ think / viii go back to San Fran
cisco in the ship, as know he viii
XIII me when get ashore at Nicar-
ague."
The man was trembling in every
Joint evidently very much frighten-
ed, and said he was unwell. The
Captain, in calm way, explained
to him that the certainty OF imme-
diate arrest and punishment would
deter the desperate from carrying
out his thre.ts while on board and
if he had anv such marderous in
tentions, he would no doubt wait
until the transit across the Isthmus.
Meanwhile he advised the panic
stricken passenger to arm himself,
and use his arms without hesitation
should he find it necessary. The
Captain further assured him that he
would take steps to insure his safe
ty while on board, and, as far as pos
sible, until the Atlantic steamer was
With this the threatened
man went forward, partially reas-
sured and tie Captain sent for the
Parser.
-Purscr,n sid ne. Il am about 10
invite the murderer 10 my ROOM
You viii pleas accompany q G aar-
termaster - the Storage ganrway
Say to him that ! wish to see him
and let the Qua rtermaster and your
selfretarn with hin. Should he be
do nothing, but report at
once.-EIavo paper and pencil ready
end make note Of my conversation
with him. Wemay need proof OF
what is said.s
After the Purser left, the Captain
opened 2 drawer, from which he
took a pair OF handouts, which be
two navy revolvers, the
,aps of which he closely examined,
md put the tools under the edge of
his mattress, within easy reach. lie
hen sat down and quietly awaited
he return of his officers. In q few
the Parser returned with |
he murderer, closely followed by |
he Quartermaster, whom the Cap
ain directed to close the door and |
'emain od,side. Motioning the man |
o a seat, the Captain said Good |
sir. OF course you know |
ne, and / presume you are convinc-
d that l know you. Purser please |
examine this mans ticket"
without word the man handed I
he Purser his ticket.
~ he ticket is all right, Captain, I
Except the name" s.4id the Purser
Pulling the photograph out of his
pocket, the Captain said +: ''Do you
NOW that man Why is his name
lot on the ticket ?"
A gleam of S lrprise passed over
he mans features, as he replied
Capsa q, / see that you know Inc.
What do you want Of me ? Have
lot behaved myself on board your
hip?"
.iYou have come TO the point at
nee" said the Captain. In threat
ming the life of another passenger
-ou have rendered yourself amena-
lie to ship discipline, and my pur-
,ose in calling you here is to tell
ou that you must let that towns
nan of yours alone. IL you threat
n him again, or attempt to taolest
i'm, ! viii put you in double irons
nd take YOU back to San Francisco.
,esides this, ] VIII see that You are
marked man ON the Isthmus. You
ill be pointed ont to the Sergeant
f the guard in charge Of the specie, /
nd on the slightest attempt at .
isturbance YOU viii be shot down
4 your tracks. Your fate is in your
wn hands, behave yourself, and
on win not be disturbed"
That's pretty hard lay for 4
ian, Captain said the desperate.
Well ? replied tie Captain, 1T is
My hard in case you deserve it. {
low go forward, and mind you |
eep quie' more threats. ]
hail hear of them, and if harm be-
Ills your townsman ] shall hold !
on TO account.
4 few days later the Pacific voy-
&c was ended. and he passengers {
5mmenced their trip across the
.ansit. accompanied By a guard of
Iicaraguan soldiers, who were told /;
, look out for the filibusters. Even {
t that late day q "flibuster" was |
disliked in Nicaragua,
le natives retaining a lively and
nything but pleasant recollection I
f Walker. So our Virginia City
assenger received an amount Of
ersonal attention which be did not
all relish. But he kept his peace, I
I'D went on his way undisturbed. {
Three years had passed, and the
rcumstance had nearly faded from
le Captains memory. Meanwhile
G had been assigned to duty on the I
tIantic. One cloudy afternoon in {
ecember. while his steamship was
firrhtinn q strong head / {