Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-07-13
A TALE OF TWO. .SEAM

barking on the steamship. Precisely at
noon the engire-bell struck, the ponder
GUS wheels revolved, ana as the echoes of
the parting gun rsverberated among the
hills and over the placid waters of the bay,
eight hundred souls commenced the home
ward journey via Nicaragua.
Scarcely had the ship passed 1Ieiggs
wharf before the passengers observed with
surprise that she had stopped, and simul-
taneously they we're all ordered on deck,
while half dozen police officers made a
thorough search of the ship, which occu-
pied two hours. During this timethe cap
tain impatiently walked the bridge, and oc
casonally, in response to his bell, the en-
gines made few revolutions to keep the
ship in position. At last the well-known
face of Captain L., the chief of the
detective force, presented itself at the gang
way, accompanied by his aids. With
wave of the hand, and an adieu to the cap
tam, they entered their boat, and were
pulled toward the shore. The wheels onca
more commenced their long task. Passing
steamer reached the open sea, and as the
SUI dipped in the waters of the Pacific, the
shores of California faded in the dis
lance.
That evening, after inspection, at eight
o'clock, the captain was seated in the
purser's Office, In friendly conversation,
looking over the passenger list.
"By the way, purser," he said, what
occasiooed the unusual peltinacity of our
friend, Captain Il in searching the
ship this afternoon? felt like bringing
him to sea, and giving him oil the time he
wanted
The purser made no reply, but took from
his pocket photograph, which he handed
to the captain, who looked at it and said:
''Well, what has this got to do with it?"
You remember" replied the purser;
that murder in Virginia City O fortnight
since? That is the portrait Of the muir
derer. l. said he had positive intorme-
tried hard to find him. One of his men
! was an officer from Nevada, with requisi-
| ton, and, as large reward is offered for
| the man, they were very anxious to get
| him, but failed However, the detective
| left his picture, and requested me to tell
you about it. We may see him on board
during the down trip, and you may feel like
using your magisterial authority in return
ing him to the police when we get back
The captain looked carefully at the por,
| trait which was that of g young man,
rather fast looking, but without any pc
culiarity that would distinguish him in a
crowd. well purser, said he, look out
for him, and let me know if you see him.
He may be slowed away somewhere.
think shall know him should set eyes
OIL him" With this the captain returned
the picture, bade the purser goodnight,
and went to the pilot house.
The fogs AID winds of the California
coast had given place to the tropical warmth
of the Mexican coast, when, one after
| noon, as the captain was leisurely walking
toward the dining saloon, his eye fell upon
face that startled him-the face of man
who, for an instant, withstood the search
nonchalantly passed by, turned into the
dining saloon, then, quickening his
pace, passed through and entered the pul-
ser's room, where he found that gentleman
making his dinner toilet.
You know that fellow of whom we wert
speaking, purser? Let me see his picture,
said the captain. Yes, that is the man
have spotted him; his whiskers are cut
off, and his hair is long. but that is the
man. know the cut of his jib."
The captain had indeed spotted mis- man
but what to do with him was the question
There We're no papers on board eutheEizin!
his arrest, and if such authority was assstnet
while the task was easy, it might III the
end prove troubleson and thankless one
After full consideration, it was deemed
best to take no notice of the fellow, ant
avoid the legal complications which NIGH
ensue if he were returned to San Francis
co.
But three days after, as the ship wa
nearing the shores of Central America, al
incident occurred which necessitate,
prompt action, and brought the murderer
face to face with a power that could con
troll him. One morning. about ten O'Clock
steerage passenger Knocked at the cap
tain's door. He was a man in the prim
OF life, with the appearance of miner
and was shaking with fright-too excited II
talk coherently. When he had collected
himself little, he asked to speak wore
in private to the captain.
There is q very bad man in the steer
age, captain" said he. HE murdered
man in Virginia City fortnight before W
left. knew him there by sight, and see
ing him on board, told one or two abou
him, and other passengers got hold of i,
He has found out that exposed him, an,
he whispered in my ear few minutes sine
that he would get even with me by cuttin
my ID heart out And he will do ii
too, captain, if he gets chance, either o,
board or after we have Ia nded. Can't yo1
do something to keep him quiet, captain
think will go back to SIN F!ancls CO IL
the ship, as l know he will kill me when
get ashore at Nicaragua"
The man was trembling in every joint
evidently very much frightened, and sait
he was unarmed. The captain, in cain
way, explained to him that the certainty o
immediate arrest and punishment woul
deter the desperate from carrying out hi
threat while on board; ard if he had an
such murderous intentions, ne would n
doubt wait until the transit across the 18th
mus. Meanwhile, he advised the panic
stricken passenger to arm himself, and Il
use his arms without hesitation should b
find it necessary. The captain further as
sured him that he would take steps to in
sure his safety while on board, and, as ia
as possible, until the Atlantic steamer wa
reached. With this the threatened ma.
went forward, partially reassared, and tn
captain sent for the purser.
"Purser," said he. in quiet way, ~ an
about to invite the murderer to my room
You will please accompany quartermaste
to the steerage and hunt him up-he nsnal
ly hangs around the starboard steerage gang
way. Say to him that wish to see him
and let the quartermaster and yourself re
turn with him. Should he be fractious, dt
nothing but report at once, Have papsl
and pencil ready, and make notes of M,
conversation with him. We may neei
| proof of what is said