The Dickinson press., 1883-07-07
A A L OF TWO SEAS,

"eHo oSNAN S0AAAOAAAuAoS WIN jill
barking on the steamship. Precisely at
noon the engine-bell struck, the ponder
GUS wheels revolved, and as the echoes of
the parting gun reverberated 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 Meiggs
wharf before the passengers observed with
surprise that she had stopped, and stimuli
taneously they were all ordered on deck,
while half a dozen police officers made a
thorough search of the ship, which occu-
pied two hours. During this time the cap
tain impatiently walked the bridge, and oc-
ca%sionally, in response to his bell, the en-
gines made a 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 q
wave of the hand, and an adieu to the cap.
tam, they entered their boat, and were
pulled toward the shore. The wheels once
more commenced their long task. Passing
at full speed through the Golden Gate, the
steamer reached the open sea, and as the
sun 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
occasioned the unusual pe1tinacity of our
friend, Captain L. in searching the
ship this afternoon? / felt like bringing
hint to sea, and giving him all the time he
wanted"
The purser made no reply, but took from
his pocket a 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 a fortnight
since? That is the portrait of the muir
ton that he would be on board here, and
tried hard to find him. One Of his men
was an officer from Nevada, with a requisi-
ton, and, as q 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 10 the police when We get back"
The captain looked carefully at the por-
trait, which was that of a young mar,
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.
lie may be slowed away somewhere. 1
think 1 shall know him should I set eyes
on him." With this the captain returned
the picture, babe the purser goodnight,
and went to the pilot-house.
The fogs and winds of the California
coast had given place to the tropical warmth
of the Mexican coast, when, one after
p3on, as the captain was leisurely walking
toward the dining saloon, his eye fell upon
g face that startled him-the face Of G man
who, for an instant, withstood the search
ing glance without f%inching, as the captain
dining saloon, then, quickening his
pace, passed through and entered the pull
ser's room, where he found that gentleman
making his dinner toilet.
you know that fellow of whom we were
speaking, purser? Let me zee his picture, y
said the captain. "Yes, that is the man.
I 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 his man
but what to do with him was the question.
There were no papers on board authorizing
his errest and ifsuch authority was assumed
tthilef the task was easy, it might in. the
6nd' prove q troublesome and thankless one.
After full consideration, it was deemed
best to take no notice Of the fellow, and
avoid the legal complications which might
ensue If he were returned to San Francis
co.
But three days after, as the ship was
nearing the shores of Central America, ar
incident occurred which necessitated
prompt action, and brought the murderer
face to face with o power that could con-
a steerage passenger knocked at the cap.
tain's door. He was a man in the prime
of life, with the Appearance of q miner
and was shaking with fright-too excited tc
talk c%oherently. When he had collected
himself o little, he asked to speak o word
in private to the captain.
There is a very bad man in the steer
age, captain, " said he. He murdered {
man in Virginia City q fortnight before We
left. knew him there by sight, and see.
ing him on board, I told one or two about
him, and other passengers got hold of it
He has found out that 1 exposed him, ari
he whispered in my ear a few minutes since
thet he would get even with me by cutting
my ID heart out. AND he will do it
too, captain, If. he gets a chance, either OF
board or after we have 10 nded. Can't you
do something to keep him quiet captain
1 think 1 will 60 back to san Fluncls co IL
the ship, as 1 know he will kill me when ]
get ashore at Nicaragua"
The man was trembling in every joint,
evidently very much frightened, and sale
he was unarmed. The captain, in a calm
way, explained to him that the certainty O.
Immediate arrest and punishment would
deter the desperado from carrying out hi
threat while on board; ard if he had an.
such murderous intentions, ue would NJ
doubt wait until the transit across the 18th
mus. Meanwhile, he advised the panic
stricken passenger to arm himself, und t.
use his arm 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, US ia
as possible, until the Atlantic steamer wa
reached. With this the threatened ma,
went forward, partially treasured, and tn
captain sent for the purser.
"Purser, said he, in a quiet way, u an
! about to invite the murderer to my room
i You will please accompany o quartermaste
= to the steerage and hunt him up-he usual
]yhangs aroundthe starboard steerage gang
way. Say to him that l wish to see him
and let the quartermaster and yourself re
G0tu Will I'LL. OuOulu uo W lIdCIiOus, III
nothing but report at once, Have paper
and pencil ready, and make notes of m,
conversation with him. We may neei
proof of what is said."
After the purser left. the captain opened
g drawer, from which he took q pair OF
handouts, which he unlocked; two navy
fevolyers, the caps Of which he closely ex'
aminel, and put the tools under the edgF
OF his mattress, within easy reach. HI
then sat down, and quietly awaited the re.
turn of his officers. In a few minutes the