Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-10
CHAPTER XVIII.

features, and stood waiting for-I knew not what!
 CHAPTER XVIII
 The men went on busily provisioning the long-boat, some whstling gay tunes, others laughing and passing jokes, all in good spirits, as though they were going on holiday eXpedi- ton.
 The minutes rolling past seemed eternal. Five, ten, twenty minutes came and went. The sun had almost disappeared. All the men except four were in the long-boat, and they stood near the gang-way ready to leave the ship on a moments notice.
 Suddenly the carpenter came around from before the galley, and walked quickly to the gangway.
 Over with you, lads" he cried
 They dropped, one after another, into the long-boat and cast the painter adrift, taking the loaded quarter-boat in tow.
 I stood too much amazed to act. Seeing the carpenter return l made sure he had killed the boatswain; but his behavior contradicted this idea. If he had discovered our plan he would never have left the ship with out seeking revenge upon mo.
 W hat then did his conduct mean. Had the boatswain died in his hiding placcP The thought fired my blood.
 Yes, l believed that he had dicd- that the carpenter had performed his task unmo!estcd without perceiving the corpse and that, while l stood there, the water was rushing into the ships hold!
 1 flung myself off the poop and bounded forward. In the briefest pos sible time was peering down the fore-scuttle.
 Below therc!" I called.
 There was no answer.
 Below there, l say, bosonF0 .. My cry was succeeded by hollow, Humping sound
 Below theror' I shouted for the third time.
 hoard the sounds of foot treading on something that crunched under the tread.
 'I am MT. Roylc. Bosom, are you below? For God Almighty's sake answer, and let me know that you are living"
 Have the skunks cleared outp' re- spOndcd a voice, and, stumbling as he moved, the bOatswain came under the forc-scuttlo, and turned up his face.
 What have you done?" 1 cried, al most delirious.
 Why, plugged up two on 'cm. There's only one more, he answered.
 'One more what?"
 "Leaks-holes-wh you call 'em."
 So saying he shouldered his way back into the gloom.
 It was now as clear as daylight to me. In few minutes more the boat swain face gleamed under the hatch way
 ''Have you doneP" exclaimed.
 "Aye, aye"
 Up with you then. Let us swing the main yards and get way upon the ship"
 He followed me to the main deck.
 stopped and looked over the bull warRs. The boats still lay about three cable-lengths from the ship. Four rest in the long-boat,
 called the steward and Miss Rob ertson. Both of them appeared promptly; explained what was de sired, and requested Miss Robertson to 
 The boatswain had already let go the starboard main-braccs; and as rushed aft he and the stewart were hauling tc leeward. 1 threw the whole weight o1 my body on the brace, and pulled with the strength of two men. "Put the wheel to starboard! Icried out; and the girl, having cast off the lashlng with marvellous quickness, Tar l the spokes over. "She's a wonder!" cried the boat swain, looking at her. And so was he. The muscles on his bare arms stood up like Jumps of iror under the flesh as he strained the heavy brace
 The great yards swung easily; the top-sail, top-gallant and royal yards came round with the main yard, and swung themselves when the sails filled There was no time to gather in the slack of the lee braces. 1 ran to wind. ward, belaycd the braces and raised g loud cry.
 They're after us, boson!-thcy 'rc after us!' Only the quartcr-boat was in pursuit as yet. They no doubt had guessed their scheme had been baiIled by dis. covering three men on board the ship. As the boat approached 1 saw she was rowed by four men, and that Ste- vens was steering her, making five in all We made ready to receive them, each of us arming ourselves with heavy