The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-01-16

myself that 1t was all right, and then
saw that the hatchway was d6rkened.
| had no time for further thought.
One of the men was coming down the
steps into my cabin. could see him
distinctly, but l was in the dark, so he
was unable to see me. noticed CLEAN
If steel in his hand. and the second man
was following close behind him. Now
was my time. / brought back my right
arm for good cut at him with the life
preserver, as soon as he could come
within reach. A second later / had
temple. | rushed over his PROSTATE
form, and fred my revolver at the sec
Ond figure, now retreating up the steps
He uttered n cry of pain and an oath,
showing that had hit him, but still be
ran on. followed quickly, rushed up
the hatchway and again fired at him,
just as he was picking up crowbar.
This time he fell on the deck, and now
1aw the third man and the boy, thor
oughly scared, making for the further
hatchway. In moment made up my
mind what to do. followed them and
having with difficulty placed the heavy
lid on the hatch, proceeded to cover it
with ev rything could lay hands on.
on the deck, Luckily there was pig iron
lying about, and with these'and various
other articles on the top of them l was
sure that they were safe prisoners.
now had to look to the other men to
see that they were incapable of doing
further mischief.
The one had shot on deck was Bar.
tolo. My two bullets had taken effect,
one IN the left arm and the o her in the
leg. drew him to the side of the ship
and dashed him there with some rope,
and told him that if be attempted to
get loose l should shoot him dead; then
lying where he fell.
l repeated my tactics of covering up
the hstchway to prevent his getting
out, and then went to the tiller, thor
oughly exhausted after all had been
through, both physically and mentally,
but most thankful for my narrow es-
cape.
Soon. however, l saw that if got out
of one danger, it was only to fall into an
other. new nothing of navigation,
and was not even aware in which direc-
ton to steer. might run the ship to
ground, or sudden squat might swamp
her. l did not know how TO shorten
sail, and was afraid to interfere with
the ropes.
What could do? The moon had now
gone down and it was pitch dark. There
was no lamp or light of any sort about
the ship as l could see. With the help
of a match / looked at my watch. 1t
was o'clock.
| thought of calling the man and boy
out of the hold and threatening to shoot
them if they did not navigate the ship
properly, but my self felt so tired that
did not dare trust them in case should
fall asleep.
On the whole, it was best 10 leave my
self in the hands of Providence,
Oh the dreariness of those hours OF
darkness, and the joy with which hail
ed the first streak Of dawn
l was beginning thoroughly to des
pair after so many hours of constant
watching and stralning my eyes, when
about s o'clock l saw speck on the hori
ION. My heart leaped with excitement
as instantly turned the helm in that
direction. The speck grew bigger and
bigger, until at last made out the form
of brig sailing toward me. Soon l
could make out fiag-the American
Stars and Strips. | tied my handker-
to a stick and made signals of distress.
For some time she took no notice, and
seemed about to pass me. My heart
sank. The thought that was 80 near
rescue and yet could not attract atten-
ton, was awful. At last to my joy she
hove TO and lowered boat In a few
minutes she was alongside, and an Off
Ger and crew boarded the felucca.
The sudden relief to my strained ner-
yes was almost more than | conld bear,
and it was some seconds before l spoke.
There was an expression of horror on
the mems faces as they looked around
on the scene of bloodshed, the wounded
men and then scanned my face for an
explanation. Did they take me for a
mailman or a common murderer?
At last found my voice. They crowd
ed eagerly around me TO Listen to my
story, and when l had finished all con-
graduated me on my narrow escape.
The officer who was the captain of the
brig, Hospitality invited me on board his
ship. He was sailing to Marseilles and
would gladly give me passage. Need
less to say, jumped at his offer.
We removed the covering from the
hold and called on the men to come up.
but could get no answer.
The captain was IN hurry to continue
his course and would not wait any
longer.
AS was stepping into the boat asked
him what we should Go about the feluccs
and its crew,
"Well stranger" he answered, you're
well of it, anyhow, and l guess we'll
now let them alone, TO go to the devil
their own way, and the sooner they get
there the better"
l never heard anything more of them.
went straight back to England, and it
was some months before left home
again. Temple Bar.