Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-01

lOI u1t, iHuecu, Wdo ludl lCluc1A.
We saw the distance swiftly decrease
between the two boats, until the shad-
owy forms merged into one. And then
followed an impressive silence-sud-
denly broken by howl, pistol shot
and a scream; and as our hearts almost
stopped beating We saw, moment
later, the boat put off from the hulk,
and the men rowing with all their
might back to the ship. As they came
nearer we discerned. that the captain
was missing.
In reply to our eager questions, they
said the moment they came alongside
the craft they heard low, hollow, un-
earthly sound, which caused them to
hesitate. The captain climbed up the
side of the vessel descended the hatch
way and disappeared from view. He
was hardly out of sight when the noise
they had heard at first was repeated,
far louder and fiercer. The next mo-
ment the report of the captains pistol
was heard, followed by terrific shrek,
and then all was STILL.
you're a 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" ex-
claimed Bob, forgetting in his fury that
the first mate was among those whom
he denounced. I'm gong back TO that
old hulk, and if l can't get at the demon
in any other way, I'll put key Of pow
der in it and blow it to blazes!"
Bob is right, if this excitement does
make him forget his manners" said the
mate. 1T was not my intention TO de-
sert Capt Luster in trouble. The men
were so frightened that l thought it
best to come back and get new set.
There was some difficulty in procur-
ing the requisite number; and, accord
ingly. Prescott and myself were ac-
cepted. AS the former went over the
ships side. Florence Harris said:
Don't you come back, Edmund, I'M
til you have heard what has become
of poor Capt. Luster."
Arriving at the craft, it was agreed
that the four oarsmen, the mate and
myself should remain behind, while Bob
and William Prescott should explore
the hulk.
Prescott went first, holding his pistol
in one hand and a lantern in the other,
while Bob closely followed with his cut
lass. We saw them descend the hatch
way. All was still, and then | heard
the single exclamation from Prescott:
20, my Cod"
This was followed by terrible roar,
a quick succession Of pistol shots and
then all was still again. The next
moment both Prescott and Bob emerg-
ed to view, covered from head to foot
with blood.
The next instant we were on deck.
I rushed to the hole and gazed down.
BY the dim light of the lantern we
beheld the mangled body Of Capt.
Luster. Near him was the gaunt, ter
rible form of an expiring tiger killed
by the bullets, cutlass and dagger Of
Prescott and Backstay Bob.
The two latter, on entering the cabin
first. saw the mutilated body of Capt.
Luster. A low growl warned them of
danger. and as Prescott turned his gaze
he saw the tiger crouching and in the
very act of springing. Dropping his Ian
tern he fired his revolver, and, as the
terrible animal bore him to the floor,
he drew his dagger and stabbed him
again and again.
A number of human bones strewed
the floor and several articles of wear
ing apparel, which seemed to indicate
that the place had been tenanted by
two human beings of opposite sexes,
and had probably been torn to pieces
by the tiger. The room was long and
low. extending the whole length OF the
vessel. and having at either extremity
a massive iron chain, terminating in a
heavy ring at one end, the other being
fastened by strong staple to beam
in the vessels side.
The brute had chain to his neck
and had been confined to one corner
of the room by a delicate iron ring,
which had been put there to be broken.
over the centre of the room was writ
ten something in an Indian dialect,
which was pronounced by the mate
to read:
II have sought have found that
which I sought-vengeance."
The awful tale regarding the old craft
we never learned. 1t ever remained to
us all a mystery of the sea.-New York
News.