The National tribune., 1885-10-22

sells on the voyage and found them moving on
all right. On this day they discovered vessel
far in advance of them. The Captain and
Jackson were on the deck, and concluded that
it must be the Will-o' 'the-Wisp. That night
they were coming close to her, when the Cap
tain of the Fairy Queen told them that the
vessel in sight was the Will-o'- Wisp, and
that she was moving slower than usual.
"During the night, perhaps about O'Clock,
they were aroused by fog-horns and various
noises. They arose and went out. 1t was dark
and the fog so dense that nothing could be seen.
The fog horns indicated that the vessels were
coming dangerously near to each other. The
running to and fro and the language Of the
Captain of the ship all betokened danger.
BY this time the passengers were all up and
out in so many different garbs that it was
laughable, though the danger was imminent.
The two vessels were nearing each other in
spite of all that could be done by officers or
crews. Finally the Fairy Queen was turned
and run in the contrary direction from her
course, and by that movement we got out Of
the swing of the Will-o'- the Wisp. All re-
mained up, filed with alarm.
In the morning the fog lifted, and again
they could see their way. The Will-o'the-
Wisp was still in view but seemed to be strug-
Cling. Nearing her again they found she was
crippled in some way. The Captain of the
Fairy Queen spoke her and inquired her trou-
BILE, when he found one of her shafts was
broken. The arrangement was being made to
get her tow-line and aid her on her way. Just
as they were fastening it they saw stream Of
fire pour from her that looked as if the whole
ocean was in blaze. Their vessel had to cut
loose and move rapidly to save herself The
fire seemed to leap into and out of the water,
like great burning shafts, seemingly reaching
the very heavens. 1t would then play on the
surface of the water and reach apparently
miles away.
There was no possible means by which any
assistance could be rendered. No one could
live near her. nor could vessel of any kind
approach. They could hear such frightful
shrieks rs would have made demon shudder.
Finally nothing could be seen save sheets of
sulphurOus fame jumping aud skipping over
the water as if playing with the waves. Then
all became dark, and a streak of sufocating
smoke hung over the water, as If a lake of
burning birthstone was belching forth over the
sea.
Cali on the Fairy Queen stood aghast and
looked as though stricken with paralysis.
When the dark cloud of smoke had passed
away there was nothing in sight save one
small boat, perhaps mile away. The Will-o'-
though all on board had gone with her. The
Fairy Queen steamed up and steered in the
direction of the small boat, and found that it
contained but two persons. 1t was found that
one sailor and DIR. BlackRian had escaped by
cutting loose with the little boat when the first
signs of trouble were discovered. The Doctor
knew what was coming, and made away tor
dear life.
"When Jackson and Capt. Redngson made
themselves known to him he was greatly sur
prised. They then talked the matter over, aud
all agreed that all the schemes of the Professor
and DIR. Blackman were at an end.
Capt. Redingson turned to Jackson, saying,
There is my dream'
"Blackman said Dr. Mears and the Pro-
fessor were lost, and their great secret with
them.
Capt. Redingson asked how this fire could
have occurred.
The Doctor thought some of the Professors
material must have ignited in some way. The
truth is,' he said, the ship was wrapt in flames
in an instant. ! saw this sailor jump into the
life boat, and followed him. We are the only
ones of all on board that are saved. The rest
We're all burned to death before they could pos
sibly get from the vessel into the sea. There
has never been any such combustible made
before. and perhaps never will be again. But
it is lost
He seemed very despondent all the rest of
the voyage When they arrived in Montreal
and conveyed the sad intelligence to Jacob
Thomlinson and BIr. Carey, they were over
whelmcd with disappointment Their schemes
were all blasted and they were bewildered.
Finally, after some days of talking and
consulting. they concluded to send DR.. Black
man to Richmend. for instructions as to further
operations. The first news that reached Rich
mond of the burning of the Will-o'-the- Wisp
created great CONSERVATION. The loss of Prof.
Mccullough and DIR. Mears was thought to be
the severest blow they had received.
"Dr. Blackman left Jackson and Capt Red
ingson to go to Richmond, but which way he
went they never knew. Capt. RedingsOn took
passage for Nassau, there to run the blockade,
and was never heard of again by Jackson
hope he is alive as l think he was at heart a
good man, full of noble impulses. Jackson was
very fond of him, rebel as he was
Col. Bush said: well, Prof. Mccullough and
DIR. Mears got their just deserts; their own
fireworks did the business"
"Yes, yesi but the innocent officers and
crew suffered with them"
"Yes," said Col. Bush, "but this had to be;
the Lord did not intend that such infamy
should he permitted to succeed"
But" said Maj. Clymer, there was DR..
Blackman, just as bad as either of the others;
he escaped most mraculously."
Yes" said Col Bush; his material, how
ever, was all lost and he had a warning against
trying the same thing again. There was no
great secret in his material to be lost; but
there was in the others, and the gain to man
kind was in the loss of their diabolcal secret"
conspirator, DR.. BIackman ?" asked DR.. Adams.
"Well. Doctor, l am sorry TO be compelled.
with shame, to state the fact, but nevertheless
it is fact, that this same man, DIR. Blackman,
has been made Governor of one of the States
since the war, and at the same time his record
was known by his constituents But it did not
seem to lose him any friends with his party,
but, ON the contrary, seemed to help him. Yes,
yes, my friends, this is the sad phase of the
whole matter. 1t matters not what nlan did
if he was rebel; but if Union man, and he
did the slightest wrong, he was disgraced for
ever. None of the great and inhuman wrongs
are remembered against the individual rebels
who violated every instinc of humanity"
Here the old gentleman became silent, and
placing his hands over his face, wept like
child. At length he continued:
Il, with all my sacrifices, even here at home
woald be thrust aside in order that the citizens
might pay homage to the men who would have
afflicted their own household with lOathsome
disease. and at the same time Knocked at their
calamity. If God wills, let it be so. / do not
believe however that He is doing more than
trying the Nation, to see if our people are
worthy of such Government as ours"
To be continued