The Grenada gazette., 1888-02-04

/ knew that ON this occaslon, among
other things the ''ditty-bag'' contained
pretty large sum Of money, the skip
per having obtained sufficient from the
agent to find all hands in funds for
couple Of days liberty ashore. ! could
not help wondering whether the Greek
divincd its contents. He must have
noticed that 1t seemed heavy, and that
our 'old man" took particular care OF
it; besides, it was common thing tor
captains to be returning on board their
vessels with money from the shore.
Then. again, / well knew the particu-
larly INSCRIPTIONS nature Of these
modern Grecian mariners, many Of
whom either are, have been, or intend
ed to be, pirates about the Archipelago.
This knowledge, combined with my
suspicious, and the gloomy effect OF
natural causes, gave me preternat-
ural sort Of information and intelli-
gence, which told my excited senses
plainly enough that we were to be
robbed. if not murdered.
l know not how long a time had
elapsed during these gloomy forebod-
ings, for they did not keep the bell go
ing on board the Greek, when. on a
sudden, became aware that the door
Of the round-house was being opened.
Softly and stealthily it moved, and, as
the opening became larger and larger,
I perceived that the weather had
cleared. for the moonlight plainly
showed me the dark shadows OF several
lnen.
Slowly, inch by inch, the frail wood
en- thing that separated us from these
midnight robbers was removed, though
every now and then stoppage oc-
cured, as I saw the shadow nearest
the door bend down in listening at
titude. No doubt convinced by our
snoring and heavy breathing Qor l
now slammed sleep myselD, the man
at the door swung it quite open. just
then ray of moonlight glittered like
a streak Of fire upon something i'll his
hand.
Softly and silently put one hand be-
hind me and felt for weapon with
which to defend myself But nothing
could find; my hand came in contact
with nothing but coils Of rope. And
now my heart was beating and pal
pitating with great heayes and throbs
that could be heard, for the intruder
was coming toward me, knife in hand.
and 1 dare not obey the promptings OF
fear by springing up to combat him or
escape. No, had to endure the terrible
suspense ofremaining perfectly still and
quiet. shamming sleep, when knew not
whether the next instant would find his
knife in my heart or merely his hand
in my pocket. Fortunately Ihad self
possession enough both to know that
the latter was by far his most likely
intention. and to remain perfectly
| quiet whilst waiting for the proof; but
| it was terrible work, and felt the
great beads of perspiration rolling
down my forehead, cold as I had been
but a few moments before, whilst every
nerve thrilled with keen and exquis-
| ite sense of mental agony. Never, as
long as l live, can be forgotten the
feelings that l experienced during that
long, long moment.
With powerful effort l managed to
restrain the almost irrepressible shud-
der that began to creep over my flesh
as felt the hands of the secret enemy
upon me.
knew now why the wretches had
refused to leave lantern with us
they feared that it might keep us
awake.
By the faint light Of the moon 1 had
seen the dark form Of the Greek cap
tain bending over me. holding long
and formidable poniard between his
teeth, while, with the adroitness OF a
practiced thief, he softly, almost i'm.
perceptibly, and rapidly ran his hands
over my clothes and pockets.
The pale light in the place contrast
| ell with the lurid glare of the Greeks
| fierce black eyes. 1t was dark
swarthy, ill-favored face, and its cruel.
ruthless expression told how little
compunction its possessor would have
had in cutting our throats.
The tremor Of my limbs, rs Iviolent-
| ly reprcssed the inclination to shudder,
perhaps startled him, for with one
hand he suddenly snatched his dagger.
and held the point within an inch of
my throat, whilst with the other alb
stracting all the wealth about me-a
sum Of five roubles.
Then the Internal scoundrel passed
on to the boy, found nothing there, and
crept upon our captain.
The head of the "old man" had
slipped off his pillow-the 'ditty-bag,"
| into which the plunderer's hands were
quickly thrust. He was there but one
moment, then stepped quickly back,
| sprang lightly over me, and was out Of
the round-house, tho metallic chink as
he went telling that he had obtained
the money.
Iwaited some time, perhaps an hour,
then went on deck. TWAS fine night
| l. sa.l. l,.s II,