Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-07-31
CHAPTER II
A BUCKET OF GOLD.

Mr.. Armstrong came to the cabin
or and called Mr.. Digby and myself,
wing that he wished 20 consult with
We found him calm and collected
his daughter even more so, and
sv had made their little preparations
In the best Judgment. He now told
that be had a considerable sum OF
loneyfn gold, which he would like 20
ake1nto the boat with him, but would
De governed entirely bv our advice IN
the matter.
saw the mates eyes gIisten and his
fingers work invOluntariy as the bag OF
sovereigns was produced, but in
moment ne sold cOOly:
Eyes, you had better take the bag
with you; il will make no great differ
ence in the boats trim, and, II worst
comes TO worst, we can throw IL over
board afterwards. But we mustn't let
all hands know. Hold on a bit; I'll
manage it,
He took a covered bucket from the
stewards pantry and put the bag OF
8iy gold into 10, and 10 was passed into the
ST stern sheets Of the QuarterbOat as II 10
sh were an article OF cabin stores. But
IN now the water began TO swash under
the cabin floor as the shipped rolled,
he warning us that we must quicken our
cal movement
tit Ny idea was to place the passengers
re IN the boat before she was lowered
ave down: but Mr. Digby at once overruled
% re- this, saying that there was already
-nd enough weight 10 her. He wanted me
ter 60 90 down in the head OF the boat, with
lem auother careful. seaman at the stern,
own aud attend to receiving the remainder
Ma OF the stores and slowing them away.
IL He himself would attend to the old Gen-
ne tleman and the young lady, and would
remain by the wreck until the latest
possible moment before he Joined us.
the From my position in the bow l should be
hen all ready 10 jump into the jollyboat as
ran soon as we should join her
The arrangements were al made as
10 the mate directed, and soon / had
the slowed away as much as we ought TO
attempt 20 carry, and the men,
lal one after another, TqsSed down the side,
q and took their places In good order.
OUT Meanwhile the movements OF the ship
the grew more and more suspicious, and,
leu. at last, she rolled down towards us with
= OF q lurch that seemed to threaten the
MI, swapping Of the boat. But, as / had
DO / the blight OF the boats long painter
ues- round one OF the ships chain-plateS so
that I could veer and haul upon 10, 10
ne" and again rolled up to windward.
'.us heard the order "Let 80 the paint
Vuo err" from some voice in the boat, and in
sue a moment realized that Mr.. Digby him
~ self was az the stern sheets. was in
'G the act Of gathering in the warp. so as
VI 20 keep alongside, and this new order
struck me dumb with surprise for a mo-
ment.
We LET 60 the painter, I say" roared
All the mate. mo words, blt let 60"
s1d "Win you murder Ean and woman,
one too, in cold blOod?' asked.
"Iu murder yoG In hot blood II you
not dsObey my Or9erS," be answered in
and voice ehOked With passion, st the same
me time jumping toward me over the men
ted in tue boat
Pven" he cried 20 the man who was
pe, ''cut the painter; quick, be-
hip makes another lurch!"
seaman's instinct OF obedi-
superior officer, Ryan was
Sheath-knife, but l swung
with q heavy kick, which
wiling over among his ship
instant ] felt that the
IS rolling down upon Us
instead Of veering away
ped both the ends and
ssping az a rope hang
myself bodily into the
sitp.