Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-07-23

said exultantly TO himself. Il am
safe now-safer than need be. per
haps. and the story of stowswav
who had found himself imprisoned
under the cargo Of a vessel aud lived
on box of sea biscuit for over a
week came into his mind IF that
fellow dug his way through the cargo
OF a steamship IN q week, / ought 20
be able 20 get through hale OF cot
ton in day Ny, but I'm thirsty,
I'm mighty glad that I've got some Of
this root beer left. There was not
much of this-iust enough 20 quench
his thirst for the time being. and IA
the darkness of the hold ne had un-
knowingly drained the last droD from
the bottle After a time he could feel
the long swell OF the ocean. and be
knew that he was fairly out 20 sea.
Time % get 10 work. he thought.
aud. taking ont his knife. he cut the
ba-Eiug that enclosed the bale over
his head. With knife and fingers he
tore out bIy pile Of cotton that soon
filed the small place where he Law.
but the tightly compressed bale hardly
showed that it had lost anything
81 So got % tuck this stuff away some
where. or / won't have room 20 work
III. he thought. Just a. this moment
his Aulfestruck piece OF wood IN the
bale. The cheats. 80 he said e. him
self. they're trying 90 sell old boards
for cotton. Ii took some time % cut
through the board. but after he had
male small aperture he was sur
prisei % lind number az small OBJ
lec-s tumbling over him He exam
ilej them closely.
"Cartriigesr' he exclaimed. in
amazement. and IL bale % cotton
Now / know why they loaded up at
night. aud Why they were SO anxious
O. keep people away. These cartridges
are for the Cubans, and this Il a. ex-
petition 20 supply arms 20 them the
+ same As the Virginius did years ago. %
George had studied Ia history how
that unfortunate vessel had managed
20 slip by the United States authori-
ties. only o. be captured on the high
seas by a Spanish cruiser. and nearly
all the crew and passengers executed
he dimly understood that something
called international law" prohibited
export OF arms and ammunition 10 the
Cubans. He shuddered as he thought
OF what might happen II the Happy
Thought were captured. and then his
thirst, which was almost uncomfortable.
made him think of the work ahead al
him. and he commenced enlarging the
hole IN the bale The cartridges were
easily removed. and 10y hard work he
soon managed 20 cut his WAY through
the top of the bale, bat discovered
that other boxes had been placed above
tins. and he would have 10 cut his way
through them After resting for a
time he attacked these aad soon had
the satisfaction of feeling his knife
slip through the bottom boards of the
box over his head. \ fine powder Eel
over his head. and IA Al instant lac
had thrown himself on his face. veil
ing like a Comanche The box con
tanned red pepper For a while be
thought his eyes would be burned on,
OF his head. but. realizing that some
thing must be done 70 stop this fer,
rain. he seized bit OF cotton aar
stuffed 1t into the hole his knife ma,
made That he could not get through
the box OF red pepper was very evl.
dent. His only hope was - cut lei,
way through the side of the bale o.
cotton and then York his way up t,
the surface He now worked with a
Wild desperation. cutting At the sid
OF the bale like madman Or
opening the adjoining box h
|. found 1t TO be filled with rides
These were soon thrown aside, an,
he commenced to cut through the TOT
} OF the box.
He had exhausted himself by hi,
E frantic exertions. aad. IN spite of til,
} pain IN his eyes and his burning
! thirst. he fell asleep for a short time
d He awoke slightly refreshed, but thirs
| tier than ever. Now" he said, II
Z see what's overhead. Another DO
: barred his way. and he cautiously CO
I into 1t, not wishing To go through an
other experience with pepper. Agai
4 soft rain of powder fell over hi
e hand, but he was prepared this time
a and it was quickly stopped. 1t fe
a cool on his hand. and be tasted it {
D make sure he was right. Flour" b
( gasped. TIN all right this time
= Still, l might get smothered If l let
I 81 4 Il, 4 Il