The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-01-19

tam. "A cannon WOuldn wake MN,
probably"
"Let him sleep, then, by all means.
1t would be cruel to disturb him."
After further careful scrutiny of the
hunks and other dark rccesses on the
after-deck, the three went forward to
the boilers. When they had done so, a
remarkable change came over the deck
passenger. Without any warning,
whatever, and without the usual preli.
mnary symptoms of waking, such as
moving uneasily, turning over and
signing, he sat bolt upright and delbe-
rately peeped out from his bunk. When
he did so, he saw some human figures
moving about in front of the boilers.
and dim light shit ng in their midst.
He also heard a c'o king sound, as of
tools at work an Ig iron machinery,
and he got out of LIS bunk, noiselessly
as a spirit, and tioated forward over the
deck like shadow
The captain of the "Water Lily" and
the two passengers with the carpet
bags, were standing in front of one of
the boilers and the former was at work
with wrench, taking the iron taps
from the strong bolts that held the iron
plate in its place over the man-hole
while one of the passengers held the
light in such way as to cast nearly all
its rays upon the work, and few of
them anywhere else. 1t is not unusual
for this heavy iron plate to be taken off
for the purpose of examining or cleans
ing the interior of the boiler; but the
ragged young deck passenger, who
soon gained position from which he
could watch their movements closely,
thought it quite remarkable that a
couple of passengers should remain on
board the Water Lily" for the purpose
of watching or assisting at the opera
tion at three O'Clock in the morning.
The heavy iron plate was at last
freed from its place, and the captain,
with the assistance of the passenger
who was not holding the lantern, set it
carefully down on the deck. The for
mer then thrust his hand into the aper-
ture and said:
"The water Is pretty warm yet, but
all's right
"Are the bags sound 2" said the pas
senger who held the light"
Eyes"
"Not cooked to shreds ?"
"No."
"Can you lift them out ?"
eyes, one at a time. Look around
carefully first 1t would be pretty rough
to be caught now"
Good Lord y
This was the exclamation of the pas
senger with the lantern. He had been
on the point of raising it above his
head, that he might be able TO scan the
vicinity closely, when a strong hand,
coming right out to the darkness,
snatched it from him.
1t was picture-that night scene
the three men standing frightened and
amazed, and the dirty and ragged little
deck passenger confronting them, with
the lantern in one hand and revolver
in the other, leveled upon them, while
his face assumed look of firmnese
| and authority,
"Put that iron plate on again ?'-he
said, with a sternness that contrasted
queerly with his inferior size and ap-
pearance.
"Who are you?" asked the captain
in "a voice that trembled.
"My name is Donnelly. / belong to
the detective force, and am on the scent
of that gold you have hidden in that
boiler. knew it was on this boat
The captain moved uneasily, took a
step or two backward, and put a hand
behind him to grasp large poker, used
by the tiremen. 1t was leaning against
a stanchion but the sharp eyes of the
little detective were on him, and he
said:
"Yes, Just so much as touch that
poker, and l will shoot You through
the heart. You'd like to lay me out
wouldn't you?"
The captain withdrew his hand
quickly, and his pale, frightened face
looked almost CHASTITY in the dull light
of the lantern.
'I'm not touching it," he said.
"Then don't!' returned the detective.
snow I'm watching you all. Obey
me A motion, word, look, and
I'll empty this revolver Do as | tell
you. Put that plate on again and make
it secure. l shall put a crew on this
boat and take her down the river again
Do you hear?'
| One OF the passengers looked long
ingly toward the gang plank.
'1'm watching you,' said Donnelly
"Ju't make a run for that, if you think
you can go faster than bullet"
look here, officer" said the captain
who had somewhat recovered his com
posure, "you are armed and have tn,
advantage, otherwise you would find i
a serious matter to interfere with US
| see you know all, and we understand
one another Now let us talk lik,
business men. You are probably com
paratively poor man. We have fort,
thousand dollars here in this boiler
Take ten thousand of it, go your wa,
and keep silent
| "No, sir!' said the detective, emphat
ically. 81 wouldn't let you go for tn,
whole sum. Do as | ordered you, o.
I'll commence shooting"
Seeing that he was not to be trifeC
with, the captain and two passenger
(who, of course, were simply couple
of polished burglars) proceeded to re
place the iron plate, under the sharl
supervision of the detective, who warn
ed them that they had better lo i
/ right, as they must remain in custod,
on board the "Water Lily" during he
trip down the river, and would have t,
risk the consequences of an explosion
if they slighted their work. When th
task was done he escorted them up int,
the cabin, and carefully locked them ~
In separate staterooms
\. The dawn of day saw the little steam
boat backing out from the levee. Wit
a fresh crew, Hastily summoned by tn
bold little detective, she went tlyin,
down the river, and by midday wa
made fast once more to the levee sh
had left on the previous afternoon.
A messenger was speedily sent TO III