Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-08-25

and at any moment q concerted move
ment for murder and plumber might
break forth.
us everything readyr' growled the
Maltese.
eyes. Long Joe is at the wheel, and
he has his long bladed knife sharpened
for the skipper"
"And rze ready to carve the id
Americana who hit me ober de head.
TIE not got de bracelets off none too soon,
and I'm hungry for blood"
"The niger will take care of the cabin
crowd, backed by the Frenchman. You
must make a racket over the after COM
panionway, and with the Ratchet attend
to all as they show up. We will look
out on deck, and in five minutes the
yacht will be ours. Away now, and be
ready"
With growl the Maltese crept over
the low bulwarks, and stealthily as a
cat worked his way aft, where, with
low "Hist" he signaled the man at the
wheel that he ready for his share of the
deadly work ahead.
Captain Crowell was slowly walking
onShe weather side, unconscious of the
danger that was brewing, while /,
scarcely knowing what to do, and at
loss how to communicate with the
master without creating suspicion, crept
aft, revolver in hand, keeping well to
leeward and under cover of the high,
protecting bulwarks. Occasionally
could see the outline of the Maltese
sailor as he peered over the rail and
noted the gesture of the man at the
wheel in response to the cautious signals
given by his confederate, who was evil
IDENTIFY becoming impatient of delay As
L gripped my revolver l felt assured
that the storm threatening would not
be long delayed, and my heart beat
rapidly as the crisis approached. One
incautious move on my part, and all
might DO lost.
A slight tap Of the bell forward, a
mere jingle, was heard, and in an in
slant the tall, 1.-THE form Of the fellow
at the wheel started into activity. With
one stealthy movement he drew q long
claspknife from the bosom Of his shirt,
his body inclining forward, the weapon
poised, ready to plunge it into the back
of the unsuspecting master, whose back
was turned to the murderous scoundrel.
From my hiding place l could note
every movement made in the moonlight,
and my nerves had become steady as
drew bead on the figure who would
have committed murder without a qualm
of conscience, if indeed he had any.
ltwas the first time in my life had
ever been called upon to shed human
blood, and | must confess, gentlemen,
l felt awfully queer. But it was no time
for sentiment or delay. 1t was my life
or his, TO say nothing of the others on
board. | aimed for his broad, stalwart
breast, and with the sharp crack of the
revolver the man leaped convulsively
into the air, falling dead at the feet of
the startled Crowell.
In an instant | was by his side. The
master took in the situation at once, and
ere the Maltese had gained footing on
deck my cool headed sailor had finished
his villainous career, the body dropping
into the sea, and was soon whirling
astern in the bubbling wake Of the
yacht. Then shoulder to shoulder we
turned as the crew in a confused mob
came swarming aft, their knives gleam-
ing in the moonlight, uttering savage
oaths for vengeance as they charged
bodily up to the quarter deck. Fortu- !
nately for Crowell and myself they did
not possess firearms.
"Be sure of your aim, sir" was the
masters caution in low, cool voice,
land don't spare them"
And you may depend we didn't. We
fired into the surging, struggling mass
at pointblank range, winding up the
careers of four mutineers in less time
than 1t takes TO relate it. The remainder,
warned, fell back irresolute, and as we
advanced upon them, our weapons still
smoking at the muzzles, they beat a
precipitate retreat.
By this time the party in the cabin
had taken the alarm. In a body they
came to our assistance, and but little
trouble was experienced in cowing the
survivors into submission. Securely
shackled they were placed below, and
the yacht was once more safe.
OF course the cruise was broken up.
Like myself, the balance of the party
had no desire to keep on when they real
lied the dan ger they had been in and
the narrow escape we had all expert
enced.
We all lent hand in working the
craft into Gibraltar, where the men
were tried and condemned TO the chain !
gang.
During the excitement and row Of the |
melee the frail hold that Mr.. Raymond |
retained upon life was loosened. The
shock and fright proved too much for
the poor old gentleman, and he breathed |
his last as we were giving the mutineers
their coup de grace. He was laid TO rest |
in the beautiful English burying ground |
at Gibraltar, and his daughter was left |
an nrphun