The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-05

was attacked by q severe cold. probably
caused by exposure, which developed .nzo
fever. A. times he would rave most VIC
lently and endeayor to arise from ha
couch. and IL was necessary to keep watch
BY bis side constantly. He received al
the care and medical attendance we were
able 70 give him. the mate administering
correct doses OF cutntne and other drugs
according to the directions OF the medical
guide OF the vessels medicine chest. and
he was most tenderfy nursed by MS sin
nanorata," the young widow, who remain
ed by his side during the whole day. sur
rendering her place at night to one or the
other OF Us from the after part OF the
vessel
One night, while the steward was on
watch by the sick mans side, he became
more restless than ever, ana the rawlings
OF his wandering mind took a most curl
Gus turn. causing the steward 70 become
frightened out OF his wits. and. not caring
20 disturb the mate. who had only come
off watch a short time before and was
sound asleep he came TO the steeraxe and
reused me and the mates boatsteerer,
for the purpose OF listening to the strange
u1utterings and outcries OF the Chilean.
who. in his wandering mind, the steward
told US. was accusing himself Of having
poisoned Capt. Gait.
we nGFrTeIly repaired TO inc EADlHg
where we found Mrs. Gait. who, startled
from her sleep by the loud ordinations
OF the sick man, had arisen during the
stewards short absence and was now by
the sufferers side, imploring him 70 be
quiet and listen 20 her, as IL he. in his de-
nrious state were able 70 comprehend
what was going on around him. or could
recognize her.
To our utter CONSERVATION we heard the
IN
seemingly troubled by the qualus OF a
guilty conscience, bewafl in agonized tones
the motive which had prompted him to
mix arsenic in the fish chowder so heart
.ly partaken OF by the captain on that
fateful night. and which had caused his
death. Ever and anon he would cry out
the name OF the wretched woman, who in
our presence was compelled 70 listen TO the
disclosure OF his dastardly crime. beseech-
ing her 10 forgive him. as he had done IL
solely for her sake, so that the happiness
of their mutual love might be undisturbed.
Though the woman was guilty IN the ex-
IRENE. having permitted her impulsive,
impassioned nature to carry her beyond
all bounds Of honor and propriety by sin
fully bestowing her affections during her
husbands lifetime upon this villain. yet we
could but pity her In her present wretched
condition. for we were convinced that hith-
erto she had been utterly ignorant OF the
She now realized that 10 & great extent II
was attributable 70 her sinful actions and
broke down completely. We induced her
10 retire TO her room, promising to watch
over the miserable wretch and keep secret
what had been revealed to US until his re-
covery. which appeared TO us doubtful at
that moment.
However, on the following day we per-
ceived that the crisis OF his condition had
been reached. Youth and a strong const-
tuition were in his favor and he rallied
The fever spells were broken. ne became
quieter and sank into q profound sleep,
from which he awoke much refreshed.
Gradually, as the days passed. he regained
his former strength, though he was a
changed being, morose. distrustfu1 and
of brooding mind. The woman secluded
herself in her room, and carefully avoided
the Chilean's company. for she had been
duly informed that as soon as he had
fully recovered he would be confronted
with the substance OF his self-made accu-
sations.
Accordingly one morning, directly after
breakfast, the subject was preached
through the medium OF the steward, In tha
presence of Mrs. Gait, Mr.. Leighton, my
self and the other boatsteerer. who was
present on the night when Alvarez uttered
those dreadful sentences. He grew death
w pale when the steward boldly confront
the captain by putting arsenic in the fish
chowder A tremor ran through his whole
frame when the words reached his ears,
and for q moment he tottered and seemed
about 10 fall. but, grasping the back or this
settee by the cabin table, he quickly recov-
cred himself. The next instant his eyes
flashed wild fire. his features turned hyid
with rage, and without word of reply 10
the charge against him, but with terri
bic oath, he dextrously grasped a large
carving knife lying on the breakfast table
near him. and before any or us were aware
OF his evil designs or could in any way
interfere he dashed forward and buried
thu deadly weapon deep into the unfortu-
nate stewards breast, who. with n stified
Croan. sank TO the floor and expired al
most instantly The assassin was overpowt
cred Immediately and securely bound hand
and foot by a couple or US, while the PROS
trate form OF the woman, who had faint
ed, was carried 10 her room by the others.
Gently we then raised the body OF the dead
steward from the pool Of blood in which &c
Law and placed IL on a mattress In the
mates room.
The cooper, who was in charge OF the
deck. attracted by the commotion IN
the cabin, now made his appearance. and
when Informed OF what had happened, he
Immediately returned on deck, spreading
the drefil news among the crew. The
greatest excitement prevailed The fore
mast hands, a number OF whom were coun-
trymen OF the murdered man. crowded
around the cabin entrance, threatening "a
execute summary Justice upon the assas-
sin. who by this time we had handcu1ed
and securely locked up IN a room in the
cabin The men demanded that he be
brought before them for a hearing. They
were DESTROYS 20 learn whether he would
make an open confession OF having poison
ed the captain. which. they said. he might
as well DO. all hope OF escape from Justice
being gone for him now The Chilean, Sc
curelv rnanacled. was accordingly brought
out on deck, and placed against the main
mast where the men formed a ring arounf
him and began their inter-ogations.. The
prisoner stubbornly refused 10 answer any
OF their questions. but IN a spirit OF bra
vado declared that he was sorry for not
having made A Job OF IL ard killed half
dozen more whereupon the Portuguese
members OF the crew stepped outside the
circle and conversed for a brief time IN low
and earnest tones.
Shortly the mate AMI The rest oS Us who
belonged aft were duly informed that Il was
the unanimous intention OF the exasperated
crew 20 execute retrfbutive justice upon The
murderer forthwith, and hang him without
further ado or pre}i minaries on the fore
yard arm until dead. allowing him ten
minutes IN which 10 say HIS prayers and
implore the forgiveness OF his creator. We
were horror-stricken. and argued long and
earnest with the men 20 convince them OF
their extreme folly and wrone-do!nR OF
taking the law into their own hands, but IL
was all OF no avail
They told Us they were determines NJ.
70 be thwarted IN their object for rIgN .s,,,
vengeance. as they termed r. on .he das
tardly villain. and swore they would not