Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-01

late, dear mother: but you will never know it
You will never see these words. l had thought no
to write il this book again, for / feel sure thaI
it will never reach you; but seem to be urged
We are lying becalmed far in the Southerr
Atlantic. SO Captain Raymond says. An awfu
storm that drove us at its Will, and before
which it seemed possible for no ship to live ha;
driven us here, far out of our course. For s1A
days we have been lying here motionless. The
storm that ragged with such terrible fury SCENT
to have exhausted all the winds of the heavens
pressing than this calm. Even writing seems q
task beyond me. But indeed ] am not as strong
as before the attack of fever. i do not seem tc
regain my strength. had in mind to describe
the storm. 1t is beyond my powers; we lost
long boat and a quantity of spars. Two sailors
one OF them Richard Jones, saved but to be
lost, were washed overheard and never seer
again. There is no change in Helen. She is
APPARENTLY perfectly happy, but it is the happi
ness of a contented and healthy child. She
takes much pleasure in being with me, and sits
by the hour with her hand in mine, while
talk of the England that we have left and OF
the scenes of other days. But nothing awakens
the dormant memory. Uncle John has goi
back to his studies. and talks explosives to any
one who will listen.
May 81 am sitting alone in the cabin writ.
ing. 1t is very late. l hear the steps of the
mate as he PAGES the deck. The calm still
holds us in its fearful clasp Great God. what
is to be the end of it all! There has been a
break in the monotony of our existence to-day.
Uncle John got into hot discussion with Cap
tain Raymond at the dinner table about the
efficacy of the wonderful explosive compound.
The Captain seemed doubtful. Uncle John
was for the instant angry.
'tI'll show YOU then" he said, and he rushed
into the cabin where his boxes are stored and
came out shortly with two tin cans. each hold
ing something less than pint. He unscrewed
the top of one. disclosing brownish powder.
Take care" said the captain, who seemed
needlessly cautious and almost fearful.
why, thought you said 1t was useless. "
said Uncle John with laugh, land yet you are
afraid of it. Look here" He lighted match
and held it close to the powder. A dark smoke
arose that instantly extingulshed the little
fame and 6oated off leaving queer smell be-
hind. That was all.
Perfectly harmless, Captain" continued
Uncle, who had now recovered his usual good
nature. Perfectly harmless unless you wet it.
Then look out"
The cook made sort of dumping for dinner,
and great lot of 1t remained. Uncle John
took mass of this dough, for it was little else.
squeezed it until it was quite dry and nodded
it into ball. Come with me, " Le said, land,
Arthur, bring plate of::that dough with you"
He took the cans and we followed him to the
deck. There he carefully covered the ball OF
dough with the powder, and, going to the rail-
threw it as far as he could out over the placid
sea. As the ball struck the water there was
loud explosion and the spray was thrown high
into the air. The crew, who had been hanging
over the port rail forward, turned and rushed
over to see what was up 5nfle JonI Isnt made an
"Oh, houly torpeters," growled one OF the
men, and they turned back to their former
places. Uncle John, now evidently anxious to
give us thorough proof of the value of his CON-
pound. was for throwing more balls. when the
boatswain rolling aft, touched his hat and said
to the Captain:
"Please, sur, there's big shark as has showed
his fin hoff the port bow. and if so be that the
doctor IL wait bit with his torpeters, we'll
show i'm some fun catchln' of it."
IAN right, bo'sun," said tie Captain, and we
all went over to the port rail.
There he is" said the Captain, pointing to
sharp black thing, that rising JUST abovs: the
water. was cutting quietly through it. THAT
is his fin, and there's big shark under it or Pm
much mistaken"
The sailors had got large hook and had
baited it with piece of salt beef, and made it
fast to a stout line, with chain that the fish
couldn't bite off. This tempting morsel was
flung overheard and as it fell with splash iuto
the water we saw the fin cut toward and then
disappear. The next instant there was great
tug at the rope.
"Hurray! we've got 'umr yelled the boat.
swain. "W ak away with i'm now, my heart
ies."
dozen sailors had manned the rope and
now started to drag the big fish out of the
water There was tremendous pull. great
on the deck, and the hook was jerked sharply
over the rail.
"The 'ook didn't odd"
shark for he was soon right alongside, cruising
back and forth. looking for more. We could
see, him distinctly, and a tremendous fellow he
was. Again the men baited the hook and
dropped it overheard. We saw the big fish dart
turn on his side and grab the bait
with a sharp snap of his terrible jaws. Again
the hook would not catch and the shark was
waiting for more beef. The men we're about
to make third attempt when Uncle John
started.
"Wait bit men," he said. 'Tve got hook
that will hold. Give me piece of the meat"
The men fell back and looked eagerly. The
cook handed up big chunk of meat "Wipe
It as dry as you can wa saia 4hee h and ILL ne 1T II
sprinkled the powder from the can carefully
over the meat; then he carried it cautiously to
the rail. The shark was cruising back and
forth. Uncle lowered the meat slowly into the
water right in front of the monster. He saw
the bait and darted at it; ana then there was
report and the spray flew into our
faces as we leaned over the rail. The next mo-
ment we saw the big fish floating motionless on
the water.
blessed if 'e 'asn't blowed us 'ead clean
'hoff," said the poatswain.
1t was so. That terrible compound of Uncle
Johns had needed only the impact of the
sharks teeth to explode it with deadly effect.
Uncle looked perfectly happy. The effect on
Helen was strange. For the first time since
she had been with US she seemed to be angry.
~ think you are very cruel" she said to
Uncle John, ito kill that beautiful shark. He
had not harmed you. l shall not love you any
more" AS she said this she stepped to my side
and grasped my hand, as though she feared
uncle and wanted my protection. The men
heard her words and the effect was marked.
They had been in high good humor over the
death of the shark, the sailors most dreaded
enemy. but at these strange words they shrank
away with gloomy faces, and l could hear NUT
tered curses and the words, witch" and ''she
devil" That put an end to the good humor
that for the first time in days seemed to per-
vade the becalmed vessel. Uncle John made
one more 'rorpeter" with the little powder
that remained in the open can. The other he
carried to his cabin. When ] left the deck
Just before beginning this writing the sailors
6G Gav Te sea %a e
glass in which the stars of this strange southern
,ky were all mirrored.
Again impeled by know not what power,
,ome to my journal. For what strange eyes
I'm writing these words. I doubt whether
shall have strength to put down the record
hat l feel ought to be put down. Perhaps the
power that impels me to write at all will give
ne the needed strength. / have lost the
of the days, but that matters not
After writing the words with which my last
,ntry closed l went to my cabin and was soon
sleep. 1 was awakened by stealthy feet with
,ut my door, followed by sounds OF a struggle
IN deck, two or three pistol shots, curses and
yroans and the trampling of feet. l dumped
rom my bunk, threw on some clothing and
hurried out. The large cabin was in total
darkness. l rushed to the companion way.
As L stepped upon the deck saw before me a |
throng and then there was |
know now tnat I was struck on the |
lead by one of the crew. who had been |
Watching for me. When I recovered |
/ was lying bound hand and |
DOT on the deck. 1t was early daylight I |
truggled to rise, but could not stir. l saw the |
rev carrying bags and casks and clothing and |
owering them over the side. Two or three |
orms lay on the deck, but could not see who |
II what they were. l recognized the boat
wain's voice giving orders. He asked if there |
vas water enouph and food. If the log and L