The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-07-25

crew, captain; therefore, in COM
mon fairness to them as our fellow.
men, let me suggest that every passen-
ger and every passengers luggage be
also thoroughly searched"
A little hesitation on the part of one
or two of the passengers was shown
before acceding to the last proposal,
but our pleasant passenger soon con-
trived to bring those who first de-
INJURED to his way of thinking.
ssOf course, there is not a passenger
on board who is not above suspicion"
he said; '.yet, in justice to the feelings
of the crew, it is, in my humble opinion,
the least we can do"
This delicate feeling and thoughtful
ness on the part of Reginald Moore
rendered him, if possible, more admira-
BILE and praiseworthy in our eyes than
ever.
Many of the crew objected strongly
to his mode of procedure, but all were
compelled to submit. The old boat
swain was furious with indignation,
and vowed that if it cost him his life he
would trace the thief who had caused
him to be searched like common pick
pocket. Even the pleasant passengers
utterly failed to soothe his deep sense
of injury.
Well thorough search was made by
myself and the kindhearted old gentle
man and his sister Everyone's traps
were ransacked from top to bottom
without success.
Further search was useless. What
was to be done?
That night, all having been made
snug, and the passengers having turned
in-none of them, as you may imagine,
in very brilliant spirits-I went on
deck, it being what we call at sea, 'the
captains watch"
About four o'clock in the morning /
turned in, the second officer then COM
ing on duty. My cabin was situated
amidships and on deck, and from
window wherein / could command a
view of the after-deck of the ship.
Somehow or other could not rest, SO
dressing myself determined to sit up
and smoke. I drew aside the curtain
of the window have mentioned and
looked out.
1t was just the gray light of the
early morning, and there was stiffish
breeze blowing. To my great surprise
beheld Mr.. Reginald Moore on deck.
/ was about to open my cabin door
and invite him to join me in my rest
lessness, when the peculiar nature of
his proceedings riveted my attention.
He looked around on all sides as If
afraid of attracting observation.
Then, suddenly, as if assured that
the coast was clear, he walked rapidly
toward the empty water-cask, on
which he was accustomed to manufac-
ture his model of the 'Janet's Pride"
Once more glancing cautiously about
him, he then applied his hands to the
top of the cask, and, with rapid
movement lifted half of the top bodily
off.
My establishment and my excitement
were intense. Another hasty glance
around. and he put his hand down into
the cask, then quickly withdrew it,
holding in his grasp small bag, which
he rapidly concealed in the breast of
his coat. Again he took hasty sur
vey, and was about making another
dive into the strange receptacle for
hidden goods, when he suddenly with
drew, having with astonishing rapidity
replaced the lid on the cask. In an
other moment the cause of his alarm
was made known, as couple of sailors
passed him ON their way to relieve the
man at the wheel
When all was again quiet, for an In
slant he seemed determined to return
at once to the caslx, and no doubt with
draw something more than the inter-
ruption had prevented him from taking
in the first place. But suddenly chang
ing his mind, he went down the stairs
that led from the deck to the sleeping
cabins.
Scarcely had he disappeared when
another figure stealthily crossing the
deck met my anxious observation. 1t
was the boatswain.
saw him glance toward the stairs
down which Mr.. Reginald Moore had
taken his departure. He then made
directly for the water-cask. 1t was now
obvious to me that the old boatswain
had been watching the pleasant pas
senger
Just as he reached the water-cask,
heavy green sea struck the ship to wind
ward, necessitating the boatswain to
hold on by ropes so as to keep his foot
ing, and precisely at the same moment
Reginald Moore appeared at the top of
the cabin stairs. i shall never forget
the scene.
The instant the ship had stead;ed her
self, the boatswain commenced his ex-
animation of the water-cask. For q
moment only Moore stood looking at
him with as evil an expression on his
face as | ever beheld. With one bound
he was upon the boatswain before he
could protect himself. / ~vaited no
longer. but flung open the door of my
cabin in an instant, and in another l
was to the rescue, and in few minutes
we had our pleasant passenger in irons.
20 Won soc he xvaS tho <b;of of<or