The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-06-15

brought my knife down around the cor
ner to the full extent of my arm. Not
feeling anything I ventured to look
around the corner. Not seeing any one
turned the corner, and in this way I
proceeded around the house, carefully
knitting around each corner before turn
ing it.
After having made the round of the
wheelIsouse. doubled on my track and
went back the other way; but could
see no sign of the presence of any one,
nor had I heard any noise. So after
searching the decks, forecastle and for
ward house, concluded that whoever I
had seen must have slipped overheard
and escaped, or my imagination had
played me trick. I finally brought to
again in the chair and began to read
once more, but had somehow lost in
terest and felt nervous. Every little
while got up and made the tour of the
deck.
had hardly settled myself after one
of these tours when I was startled by
suppressed groan from the captains
room, followed by gasps, as if for
breath. These were succeeded by a
strange gurgling sound. My blood ran
cold. and for minute I was paralyzed.
Then I understood it all. Instead of the
coolie going overheard he had descended
into the after cabin. While gathering
together plumber he had awakened the
captain. Then to save himself he had
cut the captains throat, which account
ed for the noise.
To preserve myself it became neces-
sary for me to either secure this coolie
or to kill him, and as it would doubtless
be easier to kill him than to try to Sc
cure him, sneaked out of the wheel
house to take a look around. carefully
studied the ground, in order to decide
upon the best place for me to take up
my station. I finally fixed on the COM
panionway. Noiselessly I crawled on
top Of the house and knelt on the COM
panionway slide. With my knife raised
ready for striking, awaited the COM
ing up of the coolie and murderer.
had decided that it would be best to
stick the knife into his brain or along
side one of the big arteries in his neck.
I anxiously waited, with every nerve
strained, to detect his first approach,
every muscle tense and ready for a
quick and strong attack. Cramps in my
legs seized me, but I did not dare to
move, afraid each moment that he
would appear.
While in this position, and while
every sense was on the alert, was
startled by movement and groan be-
hind me. turned with an involuntary
cry, not knowing what would confront
me-but saw nothing.
By this time was so scared was I'm.
able to think for moment or two.
After collecting my senses knew that,
although the sound seemed to have been
right back of me, it must have come
from the mates room in the forward
part of the house. AS there were two
ways of getting down into the after
house, was puzzled as to which one to
guard. I finally decided to close the
after companionway and take my sta
ton at the watchhouse, which was the
only other way by which the coolie
could get out. IF he came up the COM
panionway I should hear him, and be
able to reach him before he slipped
overheard.
Sneaking along the alleyway I took up
my position alongside the watchhouse
door, and my senses being strained to
the utmost by this time I could family
hear some one moving about down be-
low. I was worked up to an awful
pitch of excitement, in fact my muscles
had been strained so long that trem-
bled as with ague. My nerves were at
the breaking point.
How long stood there I do not know.
I finally got so worked up that could
hardly stand. I came to the conclusion
that if the coolie should come up was
then too weak to offer any resistance,
and that if something didn't happen
soon I should lose my mind. I concluded
that I could stand the strain no longer.
Carefully making my way to the rail
broke down. I became afraid-afraid
even to 60 on the main deck and into
the deep shadows.
was afraid to stand still; I kept look
ing over my shoulder and turning
around, not knowing where I should be
attacked or from what point. My mind
was getting unbalanced under the awful
pressure. To save myself walked the
topgallant rail to the forecastle. From
there I went to the flying jib boom pole
facing inboard. My mind was made up
to jump overheard if anybody tried to
come out after me. sat there the rest
of that night, knowing I should be &C
cused of numbering these men, but
came to the conclusion that it was bet
ter to stand trial for double murder
than to become maniac by watching
at that watchhouse door.
While awaiting daylight I could see
myself accused of murder and every
body laughing at my defense. could
see myself hung in foreign country.
After a long time gathered what lit
tie courage I had left and came back to
the poop and carefully searched all
hooks and corners, but did not dare to
go down below until the moon had set.
Then I noiSelessly sneaked below. To