The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-01-06


out. And he will do it, too, Captain, if he
gets chance, either on board or after we
have landed. Can't you do something to
keep him quiet, Captain? 1 think viii go
back to San Francisco in the ship, as know
he will kill me when / get ashore al Nicar-
aqua -
The man was trembling in every joint evil
IDENTIFY very much frightened. and said he
was unarmed. The Captain, in calm wav,
explained to him that the certainty of imne-
diate arrest and punishment would deter the
desperate from carrying out his threat while
on board and if he had any such murder
GUS intentions, he would no doubt wait until
! the transit across the lsthmus. Meanwhile,
he advised the panic-stricken passenger to
arm himself, and TO use his arms without
/ hesitation should he find it necessary. The
Captain fuT ther assured him that he would
take steps to insure his safety while on
board, and, as far as possible, unit; the At
lantic steamer was reached. With this the
threatened man went forward partially re-
assured, and the Captain sent for the Pur-
ser.
'Purser," said he, in a duiet way, '1 am
about to invite the murderer to my ROOM
/ to the steerage rangway. Say to him that I
wish to see HIM and let the Quartermaster
Z and yourself return with him Should he be
| fractions, do nothing but report at once
/ Have paper and pencil ready, and make a
note Of my conversation with him. We may
need proof of what is said
! After the Purser left, the Captain opened
/ a drawer, from when he took a pair Of hand
cuffs which he unlocked, two navy revol-
/ vers, the caps Of which he closely examined,
and put the tools under the edge Of his mat
/ tress, within easy reach. He then sat down
and quietly awaited the return of his officers.
+ In a few minutes the Purser returned with
/ the murderer, closely followed by the Quar-
/ teruaster, whom the Captain directed to
/ close the door and remain outside Motion
/ ing the man to a seat, the Captain said ::
+ Good morning. sir, OF course you know
me- and I presume you are convinced that
I know you. Purser please examine this
mans ticket"
/ Without word :he man handed the Pur-
! sur his ticket
! 'The ticket is all right, Captain, except
the name," said the Purser.
+ Pulling photograph out Of his pocket, the
Captain said "Do you know that man I?
/ Why is his name not on the ticket 90
+ a gleam Of surprise passed over the mans
features, as he replied Captain, I see that
you know me. What do Won want of me
Have I not behaved myself on board your
ship?'
you have come to the point at once" re-
piled the Captain. or threatening the life
Of another passenger you have rendered
yourself amenabie to ship discipline and my
purpose i'm calling you here is to tell you that
you must let that townsman Of yours alone.
If you threaten him again, or attempt to mo-
lest him, L viii put you in double irons and
take you back 70 San Francisco, Besides
this, I will see that you are a marked man
ON the transit. You will be pointed out to
the Sergeant Of tie Guard in charge of the
specie, and on the slightest attempt at dis
turhance you viii be shot down in your
tracks. Your fate is in your own hands
behave yourself, and you will not be dis
tuTbed."
"That's 2 pretty hard lay for man, Cap
tain" said the desperate.
"WeH," replied the Captain, 'iit is only
hard in case you deserve it. Now 90 for
ward, and mind you keep quet-uo more
threats. / shall hear of them, and if harm
befaIls your townsmaD I shall hold YOU to
account.
A few days later the Pacific voyage was
ended, and the passengers commenced their
trip across the transit, accompanied by
guard OF Ncaraguau soldiers, who were
told to look out for the fiibusters Even at
that late day "flibuster'' was particularly
dIsiked in Nicaragua. the natives retaining
a lively and Anything but a pleasant recoiIec-
tion Of Walker. So our Virginia City pas
senger received an amount Of personal atten-
tion which lie did not at all relish. But Le
kept his peace, and went on his way undis-
turbed
Three years had passed, and the cireum
stance had nearly faded from the Captains
memory. Meanwhile he had been assigned
to duty on the Atlantic. One cloudy after
noon in December, while the steamship was
doggedly fighting a strong head wind and
high head sea in the Caribbean, on Norant
Keys, an accident to the machinery forced
her to call at Savannah, where she anchored
Of the Tybee. Early next morning the Cap I
tain left the ship with the Purser, in the
Captains gig, and went up the river to Sa-
yaunah. At that time Savannah was under T.
martial law. Sherman, with his victorious ,
Iegi0ns, had reached it on THEN way to the
sea. The streets were patroIed by the pro-
vost- guard, and seutiHels in blue stood at the .
corners. Afte teleRFaphing to New York,
the Captain and PuIser were immediately
occupied in buying coal ard stores, as well .
a schooner to carry them to the
ship at Tybee, for she drew toosmuch water
to reach the city. These arrangemt nts be-
ing completed, and the work of loading the
schooner started, the Captain and Purser
went to the Pulaski House and ordered din
ner While standing together in the hotel
office, rough looking character entered,
and, walking close to the Captain, said in
surly voice; Captain, 1 s'pose you don't
know me?"
Really, sir" replied tie Captain. 81 do
not ] presume you may have been a pas
senger with me at some time" The Captain
hardly wondered at his inability to recognize
he man, for his eyes were blood shot-one
If them showed signs of a free fight-his
'iothes were shabby and his head covered
With An old slouched hat
Well" said the seedy fellow, you re-
member the man you were going to have
hot in Nicaragua. I'm the man; and 1
want to tell you, Captain, I've got you now.