Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-04-23

who had first spoken. "Billings JUS
wanted to show how Jealous he is il
the company's service. The captain
thinks there's nobody like Billings.
"And neither is there, my boys
neither is there" cried voice from
the companion ladder. Dick Harley
covering under his tarpaulin, knew
that voice, and shuddered involun
tarily. The first mate Of the Only
Sou, in defiance of strict nautica
etiquette, had paid an unlimited
visit to the sailors sanctuary-tht
forecastle.
"Hello, Billings" cried a dozer
voices. What's afoot, my lad? Tel
us the news"
"Nobody here but our own crowd, il
there?" asked Billings, peering abou
the dimley lighted cabin.
"Nobody but ourselves. You may
talk right out, Tom Billings" was the
answer.
"very we'll, then. Let the attempt
be made tonight, when the othel
watch has turned in. The money il
all right. The skipper and Mr.
Lancelot showed it to ME this after
noon."
"How much, altogether?"
"Two hundred and fifty Thousand
pounds. Plenty for all Of US. You
are all familiar with the scheme.
When the other watch has turned iu
you, Sam Bowers, and you, Billy Reid,
will mount guard over 'em with youl
guns. Two men can hold the hatch.
way. I feel certain. Then thu rest
of us will make for the shippers cabin,
where the money is. The skipper is
n wise man. He will make no resist.
ance against numbers"
"Lancelot may fight, though" cried
q voice.
"What if he does? We will wait
till he's asleep in his bunk. At day.
break we'll put the skipper and Lance.
lot into boat, with chart to give
them their bearings. Then we'll make
for South America, run the ship
ashore and spend our well-earned
money"
"But how about the rest of the
crew." asked one of the listeners.
Billings grinned.
"Let them get out as best they
can," lie said. ''Perhaps, if they be-
have nicely, we may leave them a
boat. But not one pound of the money
do they get."
"And when are we to start in?"
"I'll give you the signal" Billings
replied. meanwhile turn in and get
rest. Goodnight, my lads, and re
member! T shipped every maniack OF
you at Portsmouth. and you're under
oath to do my bidding. Kill 'em, il
necessary, but get the cash at all haz.
Yards"
"Aye, aye, sir! Well follow you, u
cried several Of the rascally crew as
their leader sprang up the ladder. Lit
tie Dick Harley breathed a sigh OF
relief as he heard Billings depart, but
the next moment there flashed across
his youthful mind that stern duty
lay before him. Notwithstanding the
danger-notwithstanding the mortal
terror with which he regarded this
brutal first mate-he must endeavor to
give the captain warning of the intend
ed robbery.
To stir from his hiding place at
this moment would mean death at the
hands of those desperate men. Aud
as yet none of them showed any inten.
ton of obeying Billings's advice and
turning in"
They examined their revolvers-for
every one of them seemed to be armed
and talking over the coming attack
upon the chartered company's treas.
ure. Dick had almost made up his
mind to risk crawl along the foo,
toward the companion ladder and 9
rush thence upon the deck, when one
of the desperadoes yawned. A yawn
is more contagious than yellow fever.
Within five minutes every man in the
forecastle was showing evidence oi
weariness. First one and then an.
other crawled into their hunks, and
were presently heard to slumber nois.
ily The example spread until the
last of the band knocked the ashes
out of his pipe and retired to rest.
Soon all of them were in the land oi
Nod.
Cautiously Dick Harley peeped ou'
from under his tarpaulin. Then he
ventured forth, and set one foot on
the companion ladder.
"Who's there?" growled a sailor,
drowsily.
Dicks only answer was to slip as
quickly and as noiselessly as hit
bruises would sllow up the ladder. Al
the head he listened intently.
"Who was it, Bill?" asked second
voice.
"It was that blamed cat, I'm think
in" replied the first speaker, and tc
Dicks relief there was no pursuit.
Quickly he ran along the deck and
mounted the bridge to where the skip
per stood.
That night as the first mate of the
Only Son came up from his cabin,
with revolver in his hip pocket and
q grin on his face, he was met at the
head of the stairs by the captain
and Mr.. Lancelot. To his surprise
both of those gentlemen were armed
while behind them he observed the
despised stowaway, Dick Harley, with
! q naked cutlass in his hand.