Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-03-22
4 QUEER RACE.
BY WILLIAM WESTEL.

"Oh. dear, nop' / answered, laughing.
HE only struck match. A little spin
Ter of wood, You see. The substance at
the end Is a mixture OF phosphorus and
some other chemical substances, which
ignites when slightly rubbed Do it again,
Tom"
Tom did it again.
s'Marvelousp exclaimed the senior, ex-
aiming a match. "A recent invention, L
presumcs The progress of enlightenment
Ali all! Would you kindly let me tryf'
! said yes, of course, and sent Tom for
more matches, as well as vestas and fusees,
and showed how they were struck on the
boxes; but both Mr.. Field and his friend
preferred the boatswain's method, and
proceeded to practice it forthwith. They
had, however a slight difficulty to contend
with in the extreme smoOthness of their
neither garments, which rendered neces-
sary in the act Of striking a rapid move
ment of the right hand. At the outset
they failed somewhat ANONYMOUSLY. The
elder gentleman raised his leg rather too
too high, and, striking at the same time,
lost his balance, and falling against Mr..
Fame (who had also his leg in the air., both
rolled on the deck together, rather to the
discontinue of the senior; but the younger
man laughed heartily, and they were up
again before you could have said Jack
Robinson" springing to their feet without
using their hands.
After this gave each of them a box,
which they accepted with unaffected de-
light. Then | produced revolver, and
fired several shots in rapid succession; but,
though the weapon both surprised and de-
lighted them, and they remarked how use
full IL would be In warfare, they were evil
IDENTIFY less impressed with it than they had
been by the striking of the match on old
Toms trousers.
"IIaye you any other arms on bOard'"
asked Field-as | thought, rather anxious
Iy.
Not many rifles and revolvers- perhaps
a dozen Of each. They belonged to the
captain and passengers. But | think there
are IT few cases Of muskets in the hold"
"And ammunitiOnp
"Well, we have a very miscellaneous
cargo, and believe ! heard the captain say
there was gunpowder in it. ! don't know
how much; but can easily find out by
looking at the manifest"
With that | went into the cabin, and re-
turned with the document in question.
Eyes" said, looking Mt it. There are
ten barrels in the magazine"
1--WE will buy it from YOU" he returned,
eagerly. Indeed, | think we should be
disposed to buy from you the whole cargo
possibly the ship itself"
'"Thcy are not mine to sell, >" answered,
rather taken aback by this suggestion.
IAN the same, the ship is here without
any possibility SO far rs | can see, of get
ting away. | have II right to do the best
can for the owners and underwriters, and
you may have anything the ship contains,
or all she contains"
This was making u virtue Of necessity;
for If the picbald people thought fit to APP
propratc every article on board, it was
evident that old Tom and ! could do moth
ing to hinder them.
Whatever we take we shall give you
full value for, either in gold or pearls"
said Mr.. Field.
This was satisfactory, so far MS it went;
and It. was interesting to know that the
pichalds possessed gold and pearls: but
how ! could turn them to account in that
uutandish pIacc, or how | should get back
10 Liverpool, did not seem quite clear
Nevertheless / thanked Mr.. Field warmly
for his obiging assurance, and added that
] should leave the matter entirely in his
hands tagain making II virtue of necessity
cit Is not in my hands," he observed,
Eravcly; 81 speak only as an individual
member of the council; yet Ihave no doubt
that my colleagues and Queen Nab will
gladly profit by the opportunity which you
30 kindly place ut their disposal. And
now, my dear sir, If it be quite agreeable
TO You, we will get into the boat and shape
our course for Fairhaven."
Desiring nothing better, answered
promptly in the Affirmative. My appetite
WINS wEettcd with what | had seen and
heard, and was eager to know more Of
the queer race To whose remote home had
driftrd