Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-06-22

the Ajax would terminate for good or evil
in a mighty short time. Once they ran of
our track we would be comparatively safe,
though, to lessen this possibility, sur
nused that they would themselves be
guided by the drift, only using their oars
that they might make their speed greater
than that Of the schooner. BY SO following
they might hope to oyertake Us, and doubt
less would have done so only we were now at
the point where the rush of the Hudson
meets that of the Sound river, and the rips
and whirlpools formed BY the mingling Of
these waters off and below Nutten's island
were constantly creating counter streams
and cross currents that shifted and spun
with the minutes, ever changing and never
at rest save at the brief intervals OF slack
water on the turning Of the tides.
Beyond the gurgling and rushing OF the
stream not sound could | now hear
though once or twice | was sure | oai9ht
the humping of oars in their tholcs and
heard voices of men But if did, they went
wide OF us, for the minutes swung into halt
an hour at least, and the half hour into a
whole one, yet nothing Of the boats from
the Ajax did see.
And now | took deep breath and moved
for during this time of terrible suspense W.
on deck had barely stirred. Not sound
had come from below, nor had an attempt
to uncover the windows been made and
yet | knew one man had broken nose from
a musket butt and both must be pressed
for want Of air Mistress Gertrude still sat
on the cabin top, and crouched low near the
companion door, with pistol in hand, was
her brother.
As patient as was this girl, She was hur.an
flesh. and a delicate bit OF fcminlnit} ut hat
The cabin top could not be made pcrma.
nent quarters for her, and, though believe
she would have collapsed from sheer axhaus
ton ere offering a word CT compaint, ID was
an uncaled-for sacrifice for her to remain
longer unsheltered and seated on bare, hard
planking Up to the present comfort had
hot been considered. but now that imme
date danger was past, turned my thoughts
to the young lady, and cast about for a re-
treat to which she might retire Save the
hold or the forecastle, no spot was avail
able, and either would be repugnaut to one
OF her fastidous tastes Still, shelter she
must have; ! would see to it presently, but
now | became more than curious to know
what devilment was meant by the continued
silence of the two desperate men Gagged il
the cabin
1t struck me that the quiet, coupled with
what had gone before, might bear mighty
significance, and going softly to 4 corner 8
tie tarpaulin, | quickly threw it up and
looked in. The light was out Drawing
back out of range | called Scanned By
Il 1
reply. Putting the threat of death in my
demand for an answer, ! still received moth
ing in return; SO clamberng to the cabr
top, | laid my ear above a headlight t
catch a sound of movement within, but haC
hardly taken my position when both nos,
and lungs were assailed by such mixec
stencil OF burned powder, lamp SCOT, run
and foulness in general as to almost turr
my stomach, though it at once cleared up The
mystery,
Here, now, was my threat to stihe then
carried out better than | knew. Dragging
of the tarpauin, pushed away the hatcl
cover, drew the bayonet from the staple
forced back the companion slide and en-
tered. The first thing did was TO stumbl,
over a mans body on the floor, and ther
| turned and got to the deck, for the air il
tho cabin was more than | could at ono,
endure. Letting the place clear for little
| fetched the galley lantern and went dowT
once more. The cabin was yet filled with
heavy blue mist, and the sulphurous fumes
were choking. Lounsbury lay on the fooI
with his face covered with blood, apparent
Is dead, both eyes being swollen and hi
countenance blackened beyond recognition
His companion sat on the cushioned tran
som, jammed into corner betwixt bertl
and the bulkhead. He was unconscious
and, with his tongue hanging out, wa
breathing feebly. Physically he was alive
but, through liquor and foul air, was :,
dead drunk that nothing could have rouse,
him. Three empty brandy bottles la,