Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-06-26

ing round here yesterday" he growled
savagely.
Then, turning, he looked thoughtfully
up at the ships side. Nobody is in
sight," he muttered, "the watchman not
likely to get here for good half hour
at least, and only slip of boy on
board, and like as not old Seers has let
some money or wallables layin' around
his state room to be had for the takin' of
'em. 1t is worth runnin' bit of resk
for ennyway."
And, with another glance up the de-
serted wharf, he began climbing the side
ladder, using the stump of the right arm
with considerable skill to help him in his
ascent.
Hearing the steps, Johnny turned to-
ward the gangway. A greasy slouch hat
whose tattered brim partly shaded the
wicked looking face OF the owner, met
his gaze.
"Oh, look here now, | say, we don't
allow any strangers aboard, said Johnny
with a decided shake of his head, as he
stopped short in his walk.
you'll low the watchman that Cap'n
Seers has sent down from Hort'ns' aboard
though, won't you sonny" was the cool
reply. And without waiting further re-
monstrance, the intruder threw himself
over the rail and down on deck.
"Why, yes, I suppose so,' answered
Johnny, slowly and rather doubtfully.
{" Do you know my father-Capt. Seers,
| mean :"
"Why, yes" returned the man with
an unpleasant smile. 81 was to sea
once with your pa in the old ship Van
guard. It was he who cut off this here
arm OWN to an accident that happened
to me on that v'y'ge," he continued,
touching the stump with very dirty fore
finger.
This interested Johnny at nee, and he
was about asking the particulars when
rather to his surprise, the supposed watch
man turned on his heel and walked into
the cabin.
"Hi-I say-there :" cried Johnny,
rushing after him, my father doesn't
allow"
But poor Johnny's speech was brought
to sudden end. For as he entered the
cabin he was caught by strong arm and
dragged toward the open door Of the Ste
wards pantry"
I'm going to put you in solitary con-
fnement for while, sonny" grimly re-
marked his captor, as Johnny vainly
kicked and struggled.
All at once there came to the fright
ened boys mind the remembrance of his
powerful friend Jack, whom he had last
seen on the quarter.
"Jack-oh, Jack here, come here :"
he cried at the top Of his voice."
There was scuffiing sound on deck
a noise as though calf were tumbling
down the after companionway and through |
the half-darkness appeared the glowing
eyes and indistinct form of the great En-
glish mastiff.
Well was it for the scoundrel that he
released his hold on Johnny in time for
him to grasp Jacks steel collar with both
hands and hold him back by force and
voice.
Get out of this quick, or he'll tear
you to pieces" cried Jonny, excitedly, |
while Jack, growing fiercely, tugged at
his young masters restraining grasp.
And as Johnny forcibly though inelegant-
ly represented it afterward to his father,
the man "got." Johnny heard him
scrambling over the rail and down the
side steps at an astonishing rate of speed.
81 declare !" Johnny exclaimed, with
a gasp, as he released Jack, who sprang
on the rail and watched the man through
the gathering darkness. "Spose Jack
hadn't been aboard. There is over FIVE
hundred dollars in fathers desk in the
state room. Won't | have story for
father when he gets back in the morn
ing, though" !" he added, excitedly, as
lighting lantern, he hung it in the main
rigging, noticing with some surprise as
he did so that the wind was rising, and it
had begun to rain.
Hour after hour passed, and still no
watchman.
Captain Seers had left the message
with Horizons clerk, who had failed to
deliver it that was all. And so,
wrapped in oilskins, Johnny paced the
wet deck, with Jack at his side, while
all the while the continually increasing
gale piped and whistled through the rig
ging.
BY midnight. it was blowing harder
than ever, and johnny began TO feel very