Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28

Benson frritably. ..D'you think IT'S
piece OF horseplsy? Some trick 60 scare
the women? The work II one Of thu
gentry belowY' he added, turning q
thumb down.
Here the second mate came up from
to leewa-d.
well, sir?' exclaimed the captain.
I'm quite sure" said the second
mate, that tho weapons were thrown
through my cabin window overheard. {"
He left his window shut and found
it open when you relieved him. sir"
said the captain to the mate. His bed
10 awasb."
Looks to me, then. like some dirty
practical joke" said Mr.. Matthews,
''and Of course IL will be the wcrk Of
one Of the ten Of en-"
I'D like to think So" said the cap
tain, Though it'll be q scandaiors out.
rage ut that with a rcusirg bill ON tcp
for the joker TO pay, but better that the
arms should be overheard than secrc;cd
in the ship. for what motive. sir.
should a man have for breaking open
an arms chest and plurdering such q
collection ms We carriedl''
I'D drain my heart Of ifs blood 60
find out who did It. SIR. said the sc.
ond mate. speaking with emotion. "I'd
give all my wages for this voyage 90 b.
able to point him out. Look nc the posi-
ton it puts me I'm. sir. You discover
that previously know one Of the pas.
| sepgers, and you talk to r,e about them
| IN n manner that lets rnc see you've
got your suspicious. md tho next thing
that happens the arms ci,es: in my cab
ms broken open" He added. with q
rising rage that forced un oath from
him, Its enough 20 ruin better man
than me-"
II have made no charge. SIR" ex-
claimed the captain sternly. falling
back step and riding on either Leg.
rs though be was about 60 spring. hie
custom when hts anger struggled with
his dignity. II have no doubt that
things are with you precisely ms they
seem. You will help us 60 discover the
people who have committed this rob.
tery. This ship shall be thoroughly
searched. Mr.. Matthews. but quietly.
tomorrow after the cabin breakfast Is
over. Have you any private armsf''
None. sir. regret 10 say"
And you, sir;' said the skipper to
Poole.
"None, SIR"
Its not of the crews doing. NUT
tered the captain after q pause. There's
nothing more to be said about it till
daylight.
The old man went below. but merely
to look at the ammunition ind stow il
away. He then returned ON deck and
walked IT during the rest Of the night.
The mate paced the windwcrd planks,
often sending o look through the sky.
light. often pausing to bend his ear ut
| the companion hatch, often standing Mt
the brass rail forward and plungipg his
sight into the deep shadows betwixt the
bulwarks. The shape Of the second mate
showed shadowy 20 leeward This ship
wanted q third officer. She t.Jught one
out, but the man. who was % years old.
immensely bread aud daring devil
aloit, had run with the rest ut Sydney,
and the captain was unable 90 replace
him. The sailor at the wheel easily
saw there wns something smiss, and ON
going forward when relieved ut four
bells he told his mates of the watch that
the captain was walking the deck arm
ed to the teeth, that the two mates were
watching likewise, and that he saw a
naked revolver swinging at Mr. Poole's
fist as he passed by.
The dawn broke in dim slate at the
edge Of the working sea. flinging that
tender light 'pensiveness which, as
Wordsworth says, stops just short Of
sadness. And melancholy was the ocean
ill the sun flashed it up into the blue
hollows and bright foam. II shone ND
ON three gray faces. Old Benson looked
as II he had not been to led for q month
and the mates ms though they were Just
out Of Jail Poole went below TO clean
himself and send his bed TO the galley,
with the consent Of the mate, whose
watch it was below. and, while the men
were washing down. the captain called
Mr.. Matthews to him and spoke thus:
The more think Of last nights
business, sir. the more I'm persuaded
it's the work Of the Passengers
And that's my conviction"
have seen nothing in the behavior
OF the men," said the old skipper. ito
warrant suspicion Of o spirit of mutiny
among them"
Nothing. sir. {" echoed the mate.
They have not complained Of the
provisions. and there Is nothing TO End
fault with In their general conduct"
Nothing. sir" said Mr.. Matthew'S,
staring at the forecastle, where q sea-
man was making the head pump chat
ter.
Il hope II may prove nothing but .
practical joke" said the captain. But
the ship has been robbed, and the thief
is aboard, and We must find him and
tho goods Therefore. sir. after break.
fast you and the second mate, who n
as guiitless in this thing - he says he
is-the mans manners convincing
will carefully search the cabins of the
passengers. and you will efterward 20
forward. explain the circumstances Of
the robbery 70 the crew and rum,uaee
the forecastie."
AYE. aye, SIR"
Presently Mr.. Poole came On deck TO
take charge Of the starboard watch. The