The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-01-13


10 0todU from him.
One night, about nine o'clock, man
of Mr.. Riach' watch (Which was on
deck) came down for his jacket, and in
stantly there began to go a whisper
about the forecastle that 'Shuan had
done for him at last" There was no
need for a name-we all knew who was
meant-but we had scare time to get
the idea rightly in our heads, far less to
speak of it, when the scuttle was again
flung open and Captain Hoseason came
down the ladder. He looked sharply
around the hunks in the tossing light Of
the lantern, and then walking straight
up to me addressed me, to my surprise,
in tones Of kindness.
"My man." said he, "wo want ye TO
serve in the roundhouse. You and Ran
some are to change berths. Run away
aft with ye."
Even as he spoke two seamen appeared
in the scuttle carrying Ransome in their
arms, and the ship at that moment Civ
ing great sheer into the sea and the
lantern swinging, the light fell direct CD
the boys face. It was as white as wax
and had look upon it like q dreadful
smile. The blood in me ran cold, and I
drew in my breath as if l had been
struck.
"Run away aft. Run away aft with
ye! cried Hoseason.
And at that brushed by the sailors
and the boy (who neither spoke nor
moveD and ran up the ladder ON deck.
The brig was steering swiftly and
giddily through long, cresting swell.
She was on the starboard tack, and on
the left hand, under the arched foot Of
the foresail, could see the sunset still
quite bright. This at such an hour of
the night surprised me greatly, but /
was too ignorant to draw the true con-
clusion-that we were going north about
round Scotland and we were now or the
high sea between the Orkney and Tie
Shetland islands, having avoided the
dangerous currents Of tire Portland firth.
For my part, who had been So long shut
in the dark and knew no.hir;; OF head
winds, l thought we niGhJ b. half way
or more across tie Atlantic.
The roundhouse, for which WAS bound
and where | was now TO sleep and serve.
stood some six feet above the decks, and
considering the size OF the brig, was of
good dimensions, Inside were a fixed
table and bench and two berths, one for
the captain and the other for the two
mates, turn and turn about. It was all
fitted with lockers from top to bottom,
SO as TO stow away the officers belong
ings. and part Of the ships stores.
There was q second storeroom under
meath, which you entered by hatchway
in the middle of the deck; Indeed, all
the best OF the meat and drink and the
whole of the powder were collected in
this place, and all the firearms except
the two pieces of brass ordnance were
set in rack in the aftermost wall of
the roundhouse. The most of the cut
lasses were in another place.
A small window with shutter on
each side and skylight in the roof
gave it light by day, and after dark there
was q lamp always burning. 1t was
burning when l entered, not brightly,
but enough to show Mr.. Shuan sitting
at the table, with the brandy bottle and
a tin pannikin in front of him. He was
a tall man, strongly made and very
black, and he stared before him on the
table like one stupid.
He took no notice OF my coming in.
nor did he move when the captain fol-
lowed and leaned on tho berth beside
ne, looking darkly at the mate. stood
in great fear of Hoseason, and had my
reasons for it, but something told me l
need not be afraid of him just then, and
I whispered in his ear, "How is her" He
shook his head like one that does not
know and does not wish to think, and
his face was very stern.
Presently Mr.. Riach came in. He gave
the captain glance that meant the boy
was dead as plain as speaking. and took
his place like the rest Of us; so that we
all three stood without word, staring
down at Mr.. Shuan. and FIR. Shuan Ton
his side) sat without word, looking
hard upon the table.
All OF sudden he put out his hand to
take the bottle; and at that Mr.. Riach
started forward and caught it away
from him, rather by surprise than vio-
lence, crying out with an oath that
there had been too much of this work
altogether, and that Judgment would
fall upon the ship. And as he spoke (the
weather sliding doors standing open) he
tossed the bottle into the sea.
Mr.. Shuan was on his feet in a trice.
He still looked dazed, but he meant muir
der, aye, and would have done it for
the second time that night had not the
captain stepped in between him and his
victim.
"Sit DOWN. roars the captain. Eye
sot and swine, do ye know what we've
dnrs9 we've murdered the boyp