Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1895-01-10

We entered the Storage, 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-
gers, for the Sultan was an old ship,
and fifteen years earlier than the date
of this story had not been without re-
nown as a brisk, comfortable, roomy
liner" with regular sailings from
Blackwell for Australian ports.
In a minute or two distinctly heard
fountain]ike running of water. It
was nearly dark. babe the steward
jump for light; he returned with q
lantern, and, on throwing the light
against that part of the lining or
inner wall, whence the trickling noise
proceeded, instantly discovered two
anger holes neatly plugged.
Good mercy!'' shouted, in sud
den fright; the ship has been holed
and will be sinking dnder 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 a dramatic
start of surprise.
Muttering in low. solemn, preach
ing voice: SIS it possible? Who has
done such a 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 we'll 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" l answered, 81 can't
diabolical a crime"
l went below at eight bells-that is
at four o'clock in the morning-firstt TAX
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 l had fancy that
there might be stowaway on board,
intent on a 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?'
CAS- to the man who's holed the
ship"
''Have they discovered him?"
"sackson'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 low, level, preaching voice, 1--WE
shall be able to prove that Jackson's
the man who attempted to scuttle the
ship"
''Indeed!" said I, vastly astonished.
Jackson was an able seaman in my
watch. l had always found him re-
spectacle, willing, alert sailor.
What in that man has excited your
suspicion, sir?"
Il heard him muttering the other
day." said he, ''when he was at work
on sail stretched along this
poop. Every time passed he glanced
askance at me and muttered. Idon't
like the mans looks. He has hang
ing face. Then, again, yesterday
afternoon he was observed to go for
ward as though he was just come out
of the cuddy."
"Who saw this, sir?''
cts So" he answered, abruptly,
with short, spiritless stare at me,
and then stepped to the pinnacle.
/. In the course of that morning
asked the steward if it was true the
man jackson had been seen to walk
out of the cuddy. He answered that,
happening to come up through the
Storage hatch, he had seen jackson
going forward close from the cuddy
front, as though the man had just
stepped from the cuddy itself
"Well, but" said I, you were in the
storage, and had he been there with
an auger, you'd have seen him,
wouldn't your
II don't think it was him that did
it," said the man.
Hooked hard at him; for to be sure,
if the thing was not the work of a
stowaway-of some one hidden in the
steerage,,it must at least be the act
of a person living aft with access,
without suspicion, to the cabin. From
ten o'clock till four bells in the after
noon watch we were employed in
overhauling the vessel. We probed
every nook aud Granny of her from
the forepeak to the lazaret, diligently
seeking likewise for any signs of a
hidden mar in the steerage-all to no
purpose. The villain, whoever he was,
must certainly be one of the ships
company.
For my part, suspected the steward,
and so did Shirley, the carpenter;
Matthews did not know what to think.
The captain stalked apart, gloomy
and silent.
That evening in the first dog-watch
was in my cabin smoking q pipe,
turning over in my mind some scheme