The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-02-23

verse at sea.
L had charge of the ship this dog
watch, and was standing at the head
of the starboard poop ladder, listening
to the music forward. Suddenly the
steward came out of the cabin under
the cuddy front and looked for mo-
ment eagerly up at me with white
face.
/ called down: "What is it?" inter-
preting his expression of fear into
something wrong. He came halfway
up the ladder and said:
"Some one has been trying to scuttle
the ship, think. 1 can hear water
running in 'twixt the wall and the
linin' in the after cabin in the steer
age"
/ instantly ran aft and repeated the
mans statement to the captain. He
looked at me steadfastly with his
grave, funeral black eyes, and ex-
claimed in dull, slow way:
"Scuttle! Nonsense, sir! Who would
commit such crime aboard this ship?
Go below with the steward, and report
what you hear and See"
straightway descended the COM
panion steps, and the steward fol-
lowed me by way of the cuddy front.
We entered the steerage, part of the
hold under the saloon or cabin deck.
Four cabins were bulkheaded off on
either hand. They were now used
mainly as storerooms; in their day
they had been stocked with passen-
e. II
and fifteen years earlier than the date
of this story had not been without re-
nown as a brisk, comfortable, roomy
elmer" with regular sailings from
Blackwell for Australian ports
In minute or two distinctly heard
a fountain-like running of water. 1t
was nearly dark. / babe the steward
jump for light; he returned with
lantern, and, on throwing the light
against that part of the lining or
inner wall, whence the trickling noise
proceeded, instantly discovered two
auger holes neatly plugged.
Good mercyr' / shouted, in a sud-
den fright; 1.-The ship has been holed
and will be sinking lnder our feet as
we stand here"
/ told the steward to remain in the
cabin with the lantern and rushed on
deck, shouting for the carpenter to lay
aft. While Shirley was coming re-
ported what had seen to the captain,
who stiffened himself with dramatic
start of surprise.
Muttering in low. solemn, preach
ing voice: els it possible? Who has
done such thing?" he went below
with more alacrity than had ever be-
fore witnessed in him.
The holes were promptly plugged and
the well sounded. Two feet of water
were made. The pumps were manned
and presently sucked, proving all tight
and well with the auger holes. There
was an ominous growl of wonder and
temper among the men as they piled
the brakes or stood near, waiting to
relieve the pumping gang. The cap
tain called me and asked if had any
suspicion.
None, SIR" / answered, II can't
imagine any man aboard capable of SO
diabolical crime"
l went below at eight bells that is
at four o. clock in the morning-fi st tllz-
ing care to go the rounds of the after
part of the ship. very carefully looking
into each cabin, and peering and lis
tening. Somehow / had fancy that
there might be stowaway on board.
intent on criminal purpose, in
league, for all knew, with some one
interested in the vessel to defraud the
underwriters. Seeing and hearing
nothing, 1 withdrew to my berth and
turned in.
l slept soundly. and at eight o'clock
turned out and went on deck The
first person met was the boatswain,
Matthews. He said to me: 1.-The cap
tain seems to have made up his mind.
SIR"
ION what?"
Gas to the man who's holed the
ship"
Have they discovered him?"
"Jackson's 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 for
ward.
"Mr. Fletcher" said Capt Jortin,
reckoning me to him, and speaking
in Il low, level, preaching voice, 1--WE
shall be able to prove that Jackson's
the man who attempted to scuttle the
ship"
''Indeed!" said /, vastly astonished.
jackson was an able seaman in my
watch. had always found him a re-
spectacle, willing, alert sailor.
"What in that man has excited your
suspicion, sir?''
II heard him muttering the other
day." said he, when he was at work
on a sail stretched along this
poop. Every time passed he glanced
askance at me and muttered. don't
like the mans looks. He has hang
ing face. Then, again, yesterday
afternoon he was observed to go for
\ n. l.