The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-07-23

to desert Captain Luster in trouble.
The men were so frightened that !
thought it best to come back and get
a new set. "
There was some trouble III procur
ing the requisite number, and accord
ingly Prescott and myself were ac
cepted ont Of the passengers. The
boat showed off, and we rapidly near
ed the hulk, which had acquired a
strange interest to us all
Prescott, in addition to his revolver,
had long Italian dagger, which oh
served him handle. as if assuring him
self that it was reliable. Then. as he
replaced it he remarked to me. There
is no telling what's inside that mass
of lumber, and this may be the weap-
on / need, after all"
Arriving at the craft, after a short
consultation it was agreed that the
four oarsmen, the mate and myself,
should remain behind. while Backs,ay
Bob and William Prescott should eX-
plore the hulk As it was morally
certain that some dreadful danger
menacod all who entered the cabin,
and as | was good for nothing, | need
ed no more urging than did the mate
10 remain in my position.
Prescott was first. holding his pistol
in one hand and lantern in the
other, while Bob followed close with
his cutlass. We saw them descend
the hatchway; all was still, and then
[ heard the single exclamation from
Prescott 80, my God"
This was followed by q terrible roar,
a quick succession of pistol shots, a
fierce struggle, and then all was still
again The next moment both Pres
colt and Backstay Bob emerged to
view, covered from head to foot with
blood
Come aboard" they said: the dan
ger is over"
The next instant we were on deck
| rushed to the hold and gazed down.
BY the dim light of the lantern we
saw the mahgled body of Captain
Luster The head and one of the
limbs were gone. and there was scarce
ly semblance of humanity IN the re
mains before Us. Near him was the
gaunt. terrible form of Bengal tiger,
killed by the bullets, cntlass and dag
ger of Prescott and Backstay Bob.
The two latter, on entering the
cabin first. saw the mutilated body Of
Captain Luster. A low growl warned
them Of danger, and, as Prescott turn
ed to gaze, he saw the tiger crouching
and in the very act Of springing.
Dropping his lantern, he fired his re
volver, and as the terrible animal bore
him to the floor. he drew his dagger
and stabbed him again and again.
The needle pointed instrument reach
ed his heart, which, united with the
slashing blows Of Backstay Bob, killed
him before he could do any material
injury.
We made a critical examination of
the place A number Of human bones
strewed the floor, and several articles
OF wearing apparel, which seemed to
indicate that the place has been
teenanted by two human beings Of the
opposite sexes.
The brute had chain to his neck,
and had been confined to one corner
of the room by delicate iron ring,
which had Eeen broken. Over the
centre Of the room was written some
thing in Indian dialect, which was
pronounced by the mate (who had
spent several years in India) to read:
Il have sought have found that
which | sought ht-vengeance.'
Carefully removing the body of the
captain to the little boat, we scuttled
the mysterious craft, and saw it sink.
Shortly after the captain, wrapped
in his winding sheet. followed the
hulk to the depths of the ocean.