The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-12-21
A TERRIBLE SAIL.

1ACoo, ny PAo IL
was at that time betrothed, asked
me to get a bottle of chloroform tor
her mothers headache. After trans
acting my business returned home,
and was almost at my gate when
met Hugh Rawdon. He was Big,
handsome fellow and my rival Tor
Ethel's hand. l wanted to keep on
good terms with him, naturally, so
when he asked me cheerily to take
a sail with him / could not refuse;
besides it was a glorious day.
"After lacking about for some
time suggested returning, but ne
would not hear of it. I was enjoy
ing myself too much to urge him,
but by sunset thought of my en-
papement with Ethel and that we
must be on our way back. l told
him my thoughts.
"In an instant his whole manner
changed. He sprang up almost un-
setting the little craft with the vlo-
lence of his motion, and, coming
close up to me, said in a very deep,
hoarse voice:
"Herbert Wallace, you will 60
back no more. -,
81 was utterly dumfounded with
establishment. At first ! thought
he was only perpetrating a foolish
joke, but when glanced into his
ewes and saw there the awful fire OF
madness my wonder soon gave way
to fear.
"There he stood, glaring down
upon me. Slowly, without removing
his eyes from my face, he put his
hands behind him and drew from a
hip-pocket a small Colts revolver.
"1Move one inch and blow your
brains OUT he said. With his un-
occupied hand he cast loose the hal
lizards and the sail fell with a thud.
Still covering me with the revolver,
he next threw the oars overheard
and then sat quietly down opposite
me.
MY dear, Rawdon,' l began,
but he interrupted me Gercely.
Silence, sir, and hear me |
have brought you out here to XII
you. I have been thinking of this
moment for days and weeks togeth-
er-brooding over it, glorying in it,
feeding on it. Ha, ha! you think
| am mad. Yes, | am mad! and
he burst into loud, blood-curdling
laugh that made my flesh creep.
Mad? Yes = he continued but
what has made me so! Hear me,
Herbert Wallace, hear my story,
and own your doom just. Ethel
O, how l loved her! For her /
( oiled; for her ! fought; aye, for
Tier ! sinned. Tonight, therefore, |
will enjoy your misery; tomorrow
we will jump overheard together.
Think of Ethel--think of her lost
to you as to me forever, Ha ha
hap and again that awful laugh
echoed across the waves.
Il have, and had, my fair pro-
portion Of strength, but | was no
match for Hugh Rawdon. Yet my
only chance of life was to overcome
him and either bind or hurl him
overheard. He had replaced his
revolver, apparently satisfied that
would offer no resistance, and, seiz,
ing my opportunity, as soon as he
sat down | sprang wildly upon him
With yell like the howl of wild
beast he received me, and the next
instant we were engaged in the most
awful struggle ever man imagined
I had taken him at a disadvantage
and life, love and Ethel seemed te
lend strength to my arm and cour
age to my heart He burst not lei
me 90 for one instant to reach the
revolver, and ! gradually pressed
him back, over the stern of the lit
tie boat. With a tremendous effor
the mailman recovered himself, anc
the next instant / was lying on my
back in the bottom of the boat with
his knees firmly planted on my
chest. Oh, the agony of that mo
ment! l expected to be instantly
pistoled, but to my establishment
Rawdon seemed calm and quiet.
"You had better not have re-
sisted. Now / must tie you,' was
all he said.
"Never giving me a chance of re-
gaining my feet, he lifted me up and
stretched me across the thwarts
binding me to them, hand and foot,
with the halliards.
ct was now quite dark. For an
hour or two Rawdon set still. Then
he rose, and coming to me, said:
"' am sleepy and tired. Such
violent exercise as you have com
PEELED me to take is not healthy ir
this warm weather; 80, with you,
permission, | will lie under the
thwarts and get nap / suppose
! gave some involuntary sigh OF
other mark of renewed hope, fol
he added; Don't deceive yourself
The least movement will wake me
We are only postponing our entry
into the next world till tomorrow.
lie lay down in the bottom Of til,
boat, and presently his regular
breathing told me that he slept.
Just at that moment drop o
spray dashed into my face. Will