Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-11-22

ship, I think. can hear water rum
ming in 'twixt the wall and the lining
in the after cabin and tho steerage.'
instantly ran aft and repeated the
mans statement to the captain. BE
looked at me with his grave, funeral
black eyes, and exclaimed in dull,
slow way:
>Scuttle, ,nonse, sirl Who would com.
NIT such a crime aboard this ship? Go
below with the steward and report what
you hear and see'
I straightway descended the compan-
ion steps and the steward followed. We
entered the after cabin on the port side
and stood listening. A small heave of
swell ran through the lightly wrinkled
sea. Soundssof the strrining of cargo
iu the hold were audible and you hear
now and again the sudden shock and
jar of the huge rudder turning with the
swell, then sharply arrested by its gear.
Bnt there was no need to hearken long.
In minute or two I distinctly heard a
fountain.like running of water. twas
nearly dark. l bade the steward Jump
for light; he returned with lantern
and on throwing the light against that
part of the lining or inner wall, wherce
the trickling noise proceeded l discov'
cred two auger holes neatly plugged.
GOOD mercy" shouted. the ship has
been holed and will be sinking under
our feet as we stand here
l told the steward to remain in the
cabin with the lantern, and rushed on
deck shouting to the carpenter to lay
aft. Whilst Shirley was coming l re-
ported what had seen to the captain
who stifiened with q dramatic sort of
surprise, muttering in low preaching
voice: rs 1t possible? Who has done
such thingT, and then went below
with more alacrity than I had ever be-
fore witnessed in him.
The carpenter quickly whipped the
plugs out and sure enough, in the outer
side of the ship were two holes through
which the brine was gushing, slowly
filling the hold,
The captain called me and asked if I
had any suspicion.
None, sir | answered, Y can't imag-
inc any man on board capable Of such
crime.
He took several turns, lost in
thought.
All hands passed restless night, but
captain Jortin was necessarily up aad
about. During the middle watch, which
was mine, his shadowy figure was re-
peatedly shaking itself out Of the COM
panion hatch, and fitting in o. ghostly
fashion about the deck.
went below at eight bells-that is
at 4 o'clock in the morning-tirst tax
ing care to go the rounds of the after
part of the ship, very carefully looking
into each cabin and peering and listen.
ing. Somehow had fancy that there
might be a stowaway on board, intent
on criminal purpose, in league. for all
l knew, with some one interested in the
vessel to defraud the underwriters.
Seeing and hearing nothing I withdrew
to my berth and turned in.
slept soundIy, and at eight O'Clock
turned out and went on deck. The
first person I met was the boatswain,
Matthews. lie said to me: THE cap
tain seems to haye made up his mind.
SIR
'On what =
AS to the man who's holed the
snip
Have they discovered him.
jackson 8 in irons. That's all can
say, SIR he answered, with singular
expression of incredulity and temper in
his face.
Just then the captain came out Of the
cuddy, and Matthews went scrward.
MIR. Fletcher said Captain Jortin,
beckoning me to him, and speaking in a
low, level preaching voice, we shall be
able to prove that Jackson's the man
who attempted to scuttle the ship
Indeed p said I, vastly astounded.
Jackson was an able seaman in my
watch. 1 had always found him re-
spectacle, willing, alert sailor. What
in that man has excited your suspicion,
sir"
v heard him muttering the other
day. said he, when he was at work on
sail stretched along this poop. Every
time I passed he glanced askance at me
and muttered. don't like the mans
looks. He has hanging face. Then
again, yesterday afternoon he was OBJ
served to 60 forward as though be had
Just come QUO of the cuddy.'