Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-15

by the soft sea breeze
The crew consisted of Bartolo, his cousin,
the tall man called Beppo and boy called
Gigi.
For Italians they were not a sociable lot.
tried several times to get into converse
tion, but they seemed rather to avoid me,
and continually whispered to each other in
a mysterious way. This somewhat dis
guieted nv mind, and could not help re-
fecting that l had perhaps done q foolish
thing in trusting myself to their tender
mercies. No one knew of my expedition.
had paid them in advance, and they were
sailing out of their course to please me.
q What was to prevent them from numbering
me and throwing me overheard, and then
continuing their regular journey without
any one being the wiser?
I am not nervous, nor do believe in pre-
sentiments; but the longer 1 sat there the
more would these lugubrious thoughts creep
over me, until, feeling rather chilly, went
down to NV cabin.
1t looked an awful place at night, and
more like vault than anything I could
think Of undi6 nv bag and caught sight
of nv revolver which 1 had forgotten until
q now. This somewhat reassured me, and
loaded it carefully. I then pulled out the
life-preserver, and placing these two friend
lv weapons by my side lay down on my
Duuk WlluOuI uuuISsSlHS.
Looking up could see the broad lateen
sail through the hatchway, with the moon
shining brightly on the white sheet. All was
perfectly still, and iancied that two OF the
crew must have gone down to sleep. leaving
the third man at the wheel and the boy to
look out.
tossed about, but could not sleep; the
more thought it over, the more risky did
my position seem, for, az 1 said before, no
one knew where was.
1 had been lying down about an hour
when I saw the shadow of two men reflected
on the sail I strained my eyes and ears.
d They were talking in low tones, but 1 caught
the words ''Dorme," then Sara presto
fnIto." What could this mean, if it did
not refer to me? They were evidently pre-
pairing to murder me in my sleep, and nv
worst fears were about to be confirmed. A
: cold sweat covered my brow, and seized
nv revolver, determined to sell my life
dearly. The shadows had now moved away.
All was still. I stepped out Of my bunk,
and taking my lie preserVer in my right
hand and the revolver in nv left, sat in
crouching position to await events.
Oh, the agony of those momentsl could
neither stand nor sit, and dreaded that
before long 1 should be seized with cramp;
vet it was imperative that 1 should keep
quite still, if wished to take my asSailants
at disadvantage.
1t was not very long before the shadows on
the sail again reappeared, and this time L
noticed that one of them was armed with a
. long kitchen knife. The thought of the cold
steel made me shudder, and nv heart
stopped beating for a moment. I felt my
revolver to assure myself that it was all right,
and then saw that the hatchwsy was dark
ened. had no time for further thought. One
Al 4ho s,4o
nv cabin. l could see him distinctly, but I
was in the dark, so he was unable to see
me- noticed CLEAN of steel in his hand,
and the second man was following close be-
hind him. Now was my time. l brought
back my right arm for good cut at him
with the life preserver, as soon as he should
come within reach A second later 1 had
felled him with fearful blow on the temple
1 rushed over his PROSTATE form and
fred my revolver at the second figure, now
retreating up the steps. He uttered cry of
pain and oath, showing that I had hit
him, but still he run on. l followed quickly,
rushed up the hatchway and again fred at
him, Just as he was picking up a crowbar
This time he fell on the deck, and now
saw the third man and the boy, thoroughly
scared, making for the further hatchway. In
q moment 1 made up my mind what to do.
followed them, and having with difficulty
placed the heavy lid on the hatch, pro-
ceeded to cover it with everything could
lay hands on the deck. Luckily there was
some pig iron lying about and with these
and various other articles on the top of
them 1 was sure that they were safe pris-
oners.
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 Bartolo
My two bullets had taken effect, one in the
lett arm, and the other in the leg. drew
him to tie side of the ship and lashed him
there with some rope, and told him that if
he attempted to get loose should shoot him
dead; then, looking into my cabin, 1 saw
Antonio lying where he fell.
repeated my tactics of covering up the
hatehwsy to prevent his getting out, and
then went to the tiller, thoroughly exhausted
after all had been through, both physically
and mentally, but most thankful for my mar
row escape.
Soon, however, 1 saw that If had got out
of one danger it was only to fall into an
other. 1 knew nothing of navigation, and
was not even aware in which direction to
steer. might run the ship to ground. or a
sudden squall might swamp her. 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 snY sort about the ship, as
far as 1 could see. With the help Of match
looked at my watch. 1t was 2 o'clock,
l 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
I myself felt so tired and exhausted that 1
did not dare trust them in case should fall
asleep.
On the whole, it was best to leave myselfin
the hands of Providence.
Oh the dreariness of these hours of dark
ness, and the joy with which hailed the
first streak of dawnl
Every now and then Bartolo would give
curse and groan, and that was the onlv
sound to break the silence of the night. 1
had placed some water by his side and asked
him ii he wanted anything, but he only
swore at me. left him alone.
AT last the sun began to rise, aud scam
ned the horizon for the welcome sight of
land or friendly sail. Alas, there was
nothing to break the dull mass of water.
and l was still miles away from rescue, The |
pangs OF hunger were beginning to make |
themselves felt, and L had nothing to eat.
Ii this state of affairs continued much
longer 1 should be obliged to call up the
man and boy, and in my weak state ielt 1 |
should be entirely at their mercy.
was beginning thoroughly to despair
after SO many hours of constant watching
and straining of my eyes, when about 5 |
O'Clock saw a speck on the horizon. Nv
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 q brig sailing toward
me. Soon l could make out the hag-the |