Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-12-15

before going on board, l made a
review OF the place. Near the bow
OF the vessel, and opening in
the other direction, was shed or
storehouse, erected on the wharf,
for convenience in loading and
unloading Entering, and east.
ing h searching glance around the
interior, satisfied myself that no
one was there concealed. Barrels
aud boxes were piled against its
walls. In this corner was heaped a
lot OF large turnips, in thatwere al
ranged oars, and spare yards, and
oyster-tongs, and in the center
we're several heavy anchors and
two or three superannuated,
heavy guns. Leaving this and
stepping on board | found the
men in feverish state OF excite
ment.
l endeavored to shame them
out of their fears by laughing ut
what / termed their folly, upon
which they promised that if |
watched in the iorecastle, whore
they deemed the most danger was
to be- encountered, they would
sail the next day Taking with
me two of the most timid. and
sending the rest to the cabin, |
went below, and stretching my
self on a sea-chest, was sinking
into deep slumber, when a
noise, as if something falling Oh
deck, brought me to my feet, and
Immediately a rolling sound was
heard, followed by asudden plash
US OF something falling overheard;
this was repeated thrice at inter
walls of about a minute. each time,
however, increasing In loudness,
whea all was hushed. Taking
advantage Of the pause, ! direct
ed my two men upon no account
to make disturbance, unless l
called. and went on deck
After searching everywhere, and
putting my ear down to listen,
until completely tired out, / wrap
ped myself up in foresail and
waited in curious anxiety. Remain
ing half an hour without any
signs Of repetition, Il again went
below and prepared to sleep. l
had barely time to get comforta-
bly, stretched when, as l had just
begun to doze, noise, louder,
heavier and more terrible than any
proceeding one, brought my timid
companions trembling to my
side; but, unlike the former, it
did not extend beyond the deck,
no rumbling overhead, no splash
Of water was heard, it ended as II
something had been crushed to
atoms where it fell; then followed
the same gentle, lulling sound Of
the water upon the vessels bow,
aud the dead silence of the fore
castle was broken only by the
loud heart beats of my supersti-
tious attendants.
/ crawled noiselessly from be-
low, and hearing a slight rustling
| in the direction or the shed, l
passed over the bow and moved
softly round to listen. On arriv-
ing at the opening in front l look
cd cautiously in. and what was
my surprise to see fgnre ap-
proach from the further corner,
with fomething held in what az
peared to be an oststretched arm.
It moved slowly and guardedly
towarded the spot where | stood
concealed by a large box. Quick
as lightning the truth flashed
across my mind | closely scrut-
|inized the object. 1t was held by
a small gloved hand, which was
now near my face. and 10, it was
la huge turnipI The figure
placed itself in an attitude as if to
throw it with more than ordinary
strength, when I stepped for
ward, and there fell into my arms
the form OF Clara Sea- waited
ill the day ef the picnic, aud the
one following and another and
another-until the old man began
TO 90 oftener than usual or The
wharf, and then sailed out Of
port. perhaps not so enthusiastic
u sailor, but more devoted
lover Clara's artifice il it did not
frighten US into giving ri. the
voyage, hsstened marriage cere-