The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-11-03

As soon as he ard lacks story knew il was all just SO for he could repeat the vey words they had spoken. They had crawled into the hold iwo nights before, and. as w- had commenced to i'll up tor ward before that. they had not been dis turbed. They had weapons with them. ard had managed to get some bread and water. And they had kep, the run of the tune pretty well. for Jack heard them tell over hos long i, would be before nigh, set m. and they had |, to a very few min uies- They knew that we should be out side by dark. and then they mean, to come on deck. asked lack if he was sure they hadn't heard him in the fore p ak.
 They couldn't he said. flor never made bt of noise after knew they were there They had been further af, when went do~n. and were crawling back to their old nest when heard 'em. No. they don't suspect tha, they're dis covered"
 When l frs, began 10 reflect on this l mus, confess that was more than both cred was startled and fearful l though, of what notorious, blood, -,hlis SLY villains they were. and with ~ha, perfect readiness they would cut our ,hroais and toss us overheard.
 Stephen. sai1 as saw how thought ful he was. ''wha, do YOU think oi IL:
 Why. said he. raising his head and speaking as ooolly as though he d beeR talking abou, ordinary business, |" think we'll poeke, tha, s.,ooo.''
 En-" said l.
 We've got em hard and fast" he added :" and we can lay lew and take em. There ain, but one way for 'em 10 ge; ou, of the hold while the ha,ches arc on. and that's through the forepeak : and l suppose they've already got passage marked ou, through the bulkhead. The boards are thiK. and they can easily set one or two of em out of the way. 1 rather calculate they'll ind something falling about the tune they show them selves on deck
 As soon as Stephen began to speak l saw how simple and practical our advan- : ; Ia ss -s.as. and zthen saw that lack ls cool and confident l had no more fears. bu, set about the .work of preparation a; once. knew that the cargo was so slowed tha, the villains could not reach the cabin bulkhead, and also knew they could not force the matches. Of course ] they would reach the deck in the easles, way possible. and ,ha, would be as my boy had said. IL was now past sundewn. and we had left the DAuphln on our quarter. being well outside. The wind was from the northwest, so we had l, m our beam. and needed to pay but little a,- tention to the sails.
 The little hatch ar eeut,le-way 10 the forepeak was just abaft the heel of the bo~sprit. and. as |, had been left open all day, we lei, Il open now. We had pistols aboard good ones-as we always carried them with us when moving abou, the crowded docks: and one of our nrs, movements was 10 see that these were carefully loaded, for we might have to use them in case of emergency. Then we arranged ,ha, stephen and should conceal ourselves behind the bits by the bowsprit, each armed with heavy hand spike, and that, upon a given signal. ack should leave the helm and conceal him. self abaft the foremas,. ready 10 render such assistance as nigh, be necessary.
 As soon as the night had fairly shu, in Stephen and crep, noiselessly forward and took our stations by the bit,s. itwas not very dark, for there were no clouds in the heavens and the stars shone brigh, and clear: still Ii was dark enough for our purpose. We had lain there no, more than fifteen minutes when heard sound from below. and whispered to Stephen and asked him if he had heard it.
 Yes. he sald. They are moving away board from the bulkhead." could hear them very plainly. and IS soon as was satisfied tha, they were coming threw a small stone upon the quar,er-deck. This was the signal agreed upon with Jack. and he immediately came forward and took up his station directly abaft the foremas, He had lashed the tiller, so that all was safe for the time on that score.
 Presently heard the tread of the vil- lains among the rubbish in the forepeak. and directly afterward l saw a human head slowly rise above the opening ofthe little hatchway It remained in sight A moment and then disappeared. asked Stephen if he saw il.
 Yes" said he. and they'll both be up presently
 Your hand is steady" asked.
 As steady as ever dead calm was. and as stou, as hurricane" he repiied
 Jus, as he answered. heard foot upon the ladder and grasped my hand spike with a firm grip. and looked to my pistol 10 be sure that II was ready for use Tn case of need The head soon reap peafed. and this tune body followed il, One of inc rascals came slowly. and step ped upon the deck, not four feet from where was concealed, and in few sec onds af,ersard his companion followed him.
 Hist" said the one who had come cp hrs,. as the other reached his side They are aft. Shall we use our knlves hrst. Or get some clubs
 ie; eiaos, Was ;he response, and use the knives f VIC need them"
 Al right. We'll md nandspikes somewhere. We shall take 'em by sur ]