Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1897-05-13

when the noise they had heard at first
Va. repeate /, FAR louder and .iercer.
The next moment the report OF the
captain pistol was heard, followed by
terrific shrek, and then all was
still.
Horror struck, they called loudly
anl repeatedly to their commander,
but receiving no answer pulled away
from tie ship.
lou're purity set Of cowardly
sneaks, amt you, to go and desert
your captain that way, when, like
enough, he needed you to save his life,
exclaimed Backstay Bob, forgetting il
his fury that Tie first mate was amon4
those whom he denounced. 'Im 60
ing back ID that old hulk, and If |
can't get at the demon in any other
way I'll put n keg Of powder in it and
blow it to blazes."
Bob IS right, if his excitement does
make him forget his manners" said
the mate. cit was not my intention
10 desert Captain Luster IN trouble.
The men Were 50 frightened that |
thought it best TO come back and get
new set. ;"
There was some difficulty in procur-
ing the requisite number; and, ac-
. cordingly, Prescott and myself were
accepted. As the former went over
the ships side, Florence Harris said ::
Don't come back. Edmund, until
YOU have heard what has become of
poor Captain Luster.
n hpr Go,
minutes later the boat showed off, and
We rapidly neared the hull, which had
acquired such strange interest to us
all.
Prescott, in addition to his revolver,
! had small Italian dagger, which l
! observed him 6 handle as If to assure
/ himself that it was reliable. Then, as
he replaced it, he remarked to me:
''rhere's no telling what's inside
that mass of lumber, and this may be
! the weapon | need, after ALL
j Arriving at the craft, after a short
! consultation, it was agreed that the
/ four oarsmen, the mate and myself
should remain behind, while Backstay
Bob and William Prescott should ex-
plore the hulk.
AS it was morally certain that some
dreadful danger menaced all who en-
tered the cabin, and as | was good for
nothing, I needed no more urging
than the mate to remain IN my posi-
tion.
Prescott went first, holding Lis pis
tol in one hand and q lantern in the
other, while Bob closely followed with
his cutlass. We saw them descend the
hatchway. All was still, and then
heard the single exclamation from
Prescott:
''Ch, my God"
This was followed by terrible roar,
a quick succession of pistol shots, anc
then all was still again. The next
moment both Prescott and Racksta1
Bob emerged to view, covered from
head to foot with blood.
''Come aboard" said they. "Tht
danger IS over.
The next instant we were on deck
/ rushed to the hole, and gazed down
Merciful heaven what did | behold? :?
BY the lin light of the lantern W,
beheld the mangled body OF Captain
Luster. The head and one Of his limb
were gone, and there was scarcely
semblance of humanity IN the remain
before US Near him was the gaunt
terrible form Of an expiring Benga
tiger, killed by the bullets, cutlas
and dagger OF Prescott and Backsta,
Bob.
The two latter, on entering tn,
~. ilafa ,,olv ~ Ca1
tain Luster. \ low growl warned then
Of danger, and as Prescott turned hi
gaze he saw the tiger crouchlng aus
III the very act OF -prlngIng. Drop
ping his lantern he fired his revolver
ana. rs the terrible animal bore hin
to the lioor be drew his dagger an
stabbed hum again and again. Ih
needle pointed instrument reached hi
heart, which, united with the slashin
blows OF Backstay Bob, settled hi
hash before he could lntilct any ma
terial injury.
We now made critical examination
Of the place. A number OF humal
bones strowed the door, and sewers
articles OF wearing apparel, whic
=, seemed 70 indicate that the place ha'
beer tenantei by two human being
OF opposite sexes, aud bad probaol
been torn to pieces by the tiger. Th
room was long and low, extending ia
whole length Of the vessel. and na'
ing AZ either extremity massive ,ro
G chain, terminating n q heavy ring 6
. one end. the other being fastened by
u strong staple 10 beam II tie vessel
: side
! The brute had chain % MS nee
: a1d hal been confined 10 one corne
" q tie room bv delicate iron rms
2 w-.c4 had been pus there t. b
= oroae2. over tie cea1re o. the roo;
vs. written something IL An India
i a.eet, which was prom ounced oy II
mate who raj spent several years !
e l. .ia - reai.
J. I Aave sought i lave :oua rs
which | a.ea-ce.
! Carefully removing ,1e BODY Q. +
captain . tae little boat. ve scus, {