The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-01-11

They promptly arrived, tumDiing, aston
ished and eager, out OF their hunks.
They were amazed 10 find the com
of the ship at this sepulchral
hour of one bell standing hated, his
face inflamed, his hanging arms vibrat-
ing like the legs of dreaming dog, III
the cabin of the second mate, who was
himself colorless as though he had been
stabbed.
"Trickle, said the captain, "some
one has plundered the arms chest. he
pointed to It,
Trickle sunk his head and opened his
mouth.
"Did you notice anybody hanging
about the cuddy last evening when all
the people were on deck looking at the
fire?''
Trickle thought hard. So did John,
the understeward. They stared at each
other; they revolved in the anguish OF
their struggle with recollection. one
seemed to have it, then the other, each
with q jerk of his fist, one finger up,
to no purpose. In fact, both men had
been on the forecastle while the sea
show lasted, aud when they went ait
the passengers were coming in body
from the poop into the cuddy, talking
,.bout the fire and looking about them
for grog,
Captain Benson stepped into the cud-
dy and moved slowly along the floor,
| glancing by the dimly burning lamp al
the cabins to right and left of him and
at the berths in the shadow beyond the
companion steps, up which he present.
ly stalked He was astounded. The ole
heart of oak was terrified too. Wha
could the robbery Of the arms chest sig
Nifty but a con: piracy? Certain people
had armed themselves at the ships eX
pense. For what purpose? His sou
croaked conjecture that made hin
reel on his sturdy bowlegs as he step
ped out of the hatch into the rush o
the black, wet wind and the gloom Q
the night, wild with flying cloud an
dipping stars. The mate came up t
him.
"The chest is plundered, sir, pante
the captain.
"Wheres the ammunition, sir?' IL
quired the mate.
"Hap' cried old Benson, pulling h
hat down to his ears. 81 had forgotte
that. Go below and tell the secon
mate to place the powder and ball
my cabin.
They found the ammunition untouc
ed. It had been slowed in the steward
pantry, and they might have hunt
( for it all night but for John, who,
the yester morning, having tumbled
, his knees to explore a small cupboa
for an oil can, had handled the powd
] and ball without knowing what tn
were. They all knew that the ship c;
: ried no more ammunition than tn
a Mr.. Matthews placed the stuff III
I captains cabin, as commanded, ana
Q turned on deck to report. The old SIX
, per was astounded.
whats the good Of muskets wit
out powder and shot, sir?'
"Unless the people who've stolen
things brought powder and shot w
Them" said the mate.
81 don't believe it," said Capti
Benson irritably. "D'you think it,
niece of horseplay? Some trick TO SCI
the women? The work of one OF
gentry belowP' he added, turning
thumb down.
Here the second mate came up f.
to leeward.
"Well, sir?" exclaimed the captain
''Im quite sure" said the secC
mate, "that the weapons were thro
through my cabin window overheard
"He left his window shut and for
it open when you relieved him, 81
said the captain to the mate. Ills
is awash. "
"Looks to me, then, like some di
practical joke" said Mr.. Matthe
land of course it will be the work
one of the ten Of 'em."
"I'd like to think so, F" said the
tain, "though it'll be scandalous
?" rage at that with q rousing bill on
$. for the joker to pay, but better that
r. arms should be overheard than secre
be in the ship, for what motive,
of should a man have for breaking Q
II. an arms chest and plunderlng suci
at collection as we carried?"
n. "I'd drain my heart of its bloo'
II find out who did it, sir, said the
d. ond mate. speaking with emotion.
on give all my wages for this voyage t.
no able to point him out. Look at the
ton it puts me in, sir. You disco
N. that / previously knew one of the
,r. sengers, and you talk to me about Il
ed in a manner that lets me see you
got your suspicious, and the next I'll
I'D that happens the arms chest in my
ms broken OPEN" He added, wi
=" rising rage that forced an oath +
or. him, cts enough to ruin better
me than me.
ZEN 81 have made no charge, sir,
To- claimed the captain sternly, fal
nut back step and riding on either
he as though he was about to spring,
of custom when his anger struggled
his dignity. 81 have no doubt
TT things are with you precisely as
nd seem. You will help us to discover
-zz-1o .rho baya committed this