Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-05-16
writing case, but unfortunately at the pres

The kind hearted brother and sister had,
1t appeared, more valuables in the way of
| jewelry than any one on board, since 81 800
had never purchased what theX possessed
The whole evening was occr-Sed in spec
ulating as to the probable perpetrator of
| the theft and in condoling with Mr.. May
on his loss. Every one turned in that night
In an uneasy state of mind, and it was with
establishment that they found themselves
in the morning in full possession of their
worldly goods. This improved condition
of affairs seemed to reassure our passengers,
who at once again began to look cheerful
and at ease.
| Reginald Mays face wore its wonted
smile, and as heretofore he charmed and
enlivened us with his vivacity and anec-
dotes. All the day long he worked on the
model of the ship, still using the top of the
empty water cask for workable.
That night we retired to rest with minds
far more at ease than on the previous one
Alasl What a scene of danger and distress
came with the morningl Every passenger
on board owning jewelry had been robbed
during the night.
The three old gentlemen, the young mar
ried couples and the kind hearted brother
and sister found themselves minus every
article they possessed. Even the grumbling
old gentleman had lost his gold snuffbox.
There was no keeping matters quiet this
time The thief must be traced and brought
to justice. What was the wisest method Of
procedure? What would Mr.. May suggest?
II would suggest, though most reluctant
ly, that every sailor and every sailors lug
gage be carefully searched, he said.
~ agree TO see to that, remarked.
This, he continued, must be most hui
initiating to the feelings of your crew, cap
tain, and therefore, in common fairness to
them as our fellowmen, let me suggest that
every passengers luggage be also thorough
ly searched"
A little hesitation on the part of one OF
two of the passengers was shown before
acceding to the last proposal, but our
pleasant passenger soon contrived to bring
those who first demurred to his way Of
thinking.
"Of course, there is not a passenger on
board who is not above suspicion" he said;
''yet, in justice to the feelings of the crew,
1t is the least we can do"
This delicate feeling and thoughtfulness
on the part of Mr.. May rendered him more
pleasing in our eyes than ever
Many of the crew objected strongly to be-
I
submit. The old baatswain was wild with
anger, and vowed that if it cost him his
life he would trace the thief who caused
him to be searched like n common pick
pocket Even the pleasant passenger utter
ly failed to soothe his deep sense of injury.
Well, thorough search was made by my
self and the kind hearted old gentleman
and his sister Every ones traps were ran
ad IN ,xttit bf,t,
Further search was useless. What was to
be donel
That night, all having been made snug
and every one having turned in, went on
deck, it being what we call at sea 'the cap
tain's watch About 4 o'clock in the
morning turned in, the second officer then
coming on duty. My cabin was situated
amidships on deck, and from my window.
could see to larboard and starboard and
from stem to stern.
Somehow / could not rest, so dressing
myself, determined TO sit up and smoke
/ drew aside my curtains and looked out
1t was the gray light of the early morning
and there was a stiffish breeze blowing
To my great surprise ! beheld Reginald
May on deck | was about to open my
cabin door and invite him to join me in my
unrest, when the peculiar nature of his pro
oeedings riveted my attention. He look ed
timidly around as if afraid of attracting
observation. Then suddenly, as IL the
coast was clear, he walked rapidly toward
the empty water cask on which he was &C
customed to manufacture his model of tn,
ship. Once more glancing cautiously about
him he then applied his hands to the cask
, and with rapid movement lifted half tn,
top bodily off
, My establishment and excitement wer,
intense. Another hasty glance around
and he put his hand down into the cask
then quickly withdrew it, holding In hi
grasp a small bag, which he rapidly con
, cealed In the breast of his coat He agar
took hasty survey and was about making
, another dive into the strange receptacle TO
hidden goods when he suddenly withdrew
, having quickly replaced the lid on the cask
In another moment the cause of his alarm
was made apparent, as a couple of sailor
passed him on their way to relieve the maj
, at the wheel
When all was again quiet, for an instan
he seemed determined to return at once t,
the old cask and no doubt withdraw some
, thing more that the interruption had pre-
vented his taking in the first place. Blu
, suddenly changing his mind, he went dow
the stairs that led from the deck to tn
: sleeping cabins.
, Scarcely had May disappeared when an
, other figure, stealthily crossing the deck
/ met my anxious observation. 1t was th'
boatswain. / saw him glance toward tn,
stairs down which May had taken his de
, parture. He then made directly for thu
cask. 1t was now obvious to me that tn,
old boatswain had been watching the pleas
, ant voyager.
Just as the old sailor reached the waite
| cask heavy green sea struck the ship t,
windward, necessitating the boatswaint
holding on by the ropes to keep his footing
and precisely at the same moment May ap
, peared at the top of the cabin stairs.
The instant the ship steadied herself tn,
old boatswain commenced his examination
of the water cask. For moment only MAY
stood gazing at him with as evil glance a.
; ever saw. With one bound he was upor
the sailor before he could protect himself
j ypoitaJ no 1oyoo1 b,,Y 91,osx ,,.a,, - !.