The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-01-08

fore night set in, and they had it to a very
few minutes They knew that we should
be outside by dark, and then they meant
to come on deck. asked Jack ii he was
sure they hadn't heard him in the fore
peak.
"Thev couldn't" he said, " for never
made bit of noise after l knew they
were there. They had been further aft when
went down, and were crawling back to
their old nest when | heard 'em. No,
they don't suspect they're discovered
When | first began to reflect on this
| must confess that | was more than
bothered. was startled and fearful
thought what notorious, bloodthirsty vii
lains they were, and with what perfect
readiness they would cut our throats and
toss us overheard.
"Stephen," said |, as l saw how thought
fil he was, "what do you think of it 2"
Why" said he, raAipg his head and
speaking as coolly as though he'd been
talking about ordinary business, " think
we'll pocket that g. 900 ~
''Eh 90 said l.
"We've got 'em hard and FAST" he ad-
ded, "and WSean lay low and take 'em
There amt but one way for 'em to get
ont of the hold while the matches are on,
and that's through the forepeak; and
suppose they've already got a passage
marked out through the bulkhead. The
boards are thin, and they can easily get
one or two of 'em out of the way. |
rather calculate the'll find something
about the time they show themselves on
deck"
AS soon as Stephen began to speak |
saw how simple and practical our advan-
tagc was ; and when | saw that Jack was
cool and confident, | had no more fears
but set about the work Of preparation at
once knew that the cargo was so
slowed that the villains could not reach
the cabin bulkhead, ard also knew they
could not force the Latches. Of course
they would reach the deck in the easiest
way possible, and that would be as my
| boy had said. 1t was now past sundOwn,
and we had left the uauphin on our quar-
ter, being we'll outside. The wind was
from the northwest, so we had it in our
own beams, and needed to pay but little
attention to the sails.
The little hatch or scuttle way to the
forepeak was jnst abaft the heel of the
bowsprit, aud, as it had been left open all
day, we left it open now. We had pistols
aboard-good ones, as we always carried
them with us when moving about the
crowded docks; and one of our first
movements was to see that these were
carefully loaded, for we might have to
use them in case of emergency. Then we
arranged that Stephen and should con-
ccal ourselves behind the bits bv the
bowSprit, each armed with a heavy hand
spike, and that, upon given signal, Jack
should leave the helm and conceal him
self abaft the foremast, ready to render
such assist ance as might be necessary.
As soon as night had fairly shut in
stephen and crept noiselessly forward
and took our stations by the bits. 1t
was not very dark, for there were no
clouds III the heavens, and the stars shone
bright and clear; still it was dark enough
for our purpose. We bad not lain there
fifteen minutes when heard a sound from
below, and | whispered to Stephen and
asked him if he had heard it.
YES" he said. "They are moving
away board from the bulkhead."
could hear them very plainly, and as
soon as | was satisfied that they were
coming | threw a small stone upon the
quarterback. This was the signal agreed
upon with Jack, and he Immediately came
forward and took up his station directly
abaft the forcmast He had lashed the
tilcr. SO that all was safe for the time on
that score.
Presently heard the tramp of the vii
lains among the rubbish in the forepeak,
and directly afterward | saw human
head slowly rise above the opening of the
hatchwav. 1t remained in sight a mo-
mcnt and then disappeared. asked
Stephen if he saw 1t.
"Yes," said he, "and they'll both be
up presently"
"Your hand is steady" l asked.
GAS steady as ever a dead calm was,
and as stout as hurricane" he replied
just as he entered heard foot upon
the ladder, and grasped my hand-spike
with firm grip, and looked to my pistol
to be sure that it was ready for use in
case of need. The head soon reappesrcd,
and this time body followed it. One of
the rascals came slowly, and stepped upon
the deck, not four feet from where | was
concealed, and in few seconds afterward
his companion followed him.
"IIist" said the one who had come up
first, as the other reached his side.
"They are aft. Shall we use our knives
first, or get some clubs 20
Get clubs - was the response, "and
use the knives if we need them"
Gail right. Well find hand-spikes
somewhere. We shall take 'em by sur
prise an finish 'em before-''
don't know what more the fellow
might have said, for at that moment he
began to look around, az though hunting
for hand-spke, and | was fearful that
he might discover me in my hiding g-place,
so passed the word to Stephen, and we
leaped to our feet Ny man heard the
movement behind him, but before he
could turn my hand-spike was upon his
head, and he staggered against the
weather-rail close by the cat-head. saw
that he was stunned, and | leaped after
him. He warded off my next blow with
his right arm, but it cost him dear, for it
broke the bone short off above the elbow.
The knife which he had drawn fell to the
deck, and before he could recover himself
I succeeded in knocking him down.
Stephens first blow had been more
effective than mine, for his man sank be-
meath it, and was securely bound before
he could give any signs Of returning con-
sciousness Jack had sprang to my as
.;,toooo ooJ xroa roo1v with hic Diot ri