The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-01

end of the following day, and their dis
charges, signed by Capt. Haskins. his own
stating that as mate he was V. G. Every
good.) He counted out the money due
him, signed his name to the account, pock-
eted the money and discharge and locked
the desk AS far as the world was con-
cerned he was officially paid off as mate
of the Warrior. Then, lifting the corpse
to the bed in the room, he turned down
the lamp and sought the deck.
1t was a dark wintry evening, with cold
rain and colder wind out of the north
which froze the rain as it fell. Deck,
rail and rigging were already coated with
ice, and overheard large cakes of it,
fragments of the Hudson river pack, were
floating seward on the swift tide. The
vessel was alone at the anchorage, moor
ed beyond easy hailing distance from the
shore, and all lights were turned out for
ward except the riding light in the fore
rigging. The stopped figure of Martin,
standing the first anchor watch, showed
dimly in the darkness at the foreeastle
door, but the rest of the stricken men
we're undoubtedly in their hunks. 1t was
an ideal night for murder and It's con-
comitants, but, cold as it was, Mr.. AR
DucKlo p6TSplTeU pIOluSeiy. fI1S
the poop steps and looked over the stern,
where the dingey, Juggling at its painter,
bobbed and rocked on the black water
below. Long and silently he unused, and
often mopped his brow with his handker-
chief; then his musings found expression.
won't do" he muttered. Doctors
would know he didn't drown. Adrife in
the dingey, may be-no oars-frozen to
8. n
Frozen to death--how? Falls overheard
floats long enough to freeze. Good--a
life buoy! Some one throws 1t. Who?
I must be ashore. One o the men-tne
idiot. He could throw it, and do no more.
must come out just in time to hear cries
for help climb aboard, miss the skipper
! find the life buoy gone and raise hi.
| Idiot on anchor watch. When is he on
watch? But | can arrange that"
He removed a. life buoy from the quar-
ter rail, entered the cabin by the after
companionway, and drew the cork ring
! over the head and shoulders of the
| body. twisting the still pliable arms
and fingers around it to hold IL in place.
Next he carried the body up and rested
it against the taffrail until he had as
sured himself that Martin was still fer
ward. Then he carefully lowered IL
over the stern, shifting his hold to the
hair. and reaching down until the feet
touched the water before letting go.
There was hardly splash; the life
buoy was forced up snug under the
arms, and the body, shoulders cut,
foated away on the tide. No intelligent
coroner would pronounce this case OF
murder.
Mr.. Arbuckle descended to his room,
where he changed his clothes, putting on
the suit he had worn at Callao. AS
he donned the coast he felt of letter
in the pocket-the letter given him by
the consul, and which he had forgotten
to deliver He read the address, Mar
tin Matthews, brigantine Warrior, CAL
lao. Peru, care American Consul" He
no longer perspired SO profusely but
trembled from the reaction OF feeling
which followed the safe disposal OF the
body. A glass of spirits from the cap
tain's stock remedied this, and, going
on deck. he bawled out in his most
officer-like tone, Who's on watch? Lay
aft here. Martin obeyed, and met him
at the mainmast.
Here's a letter I got from the con-
sui at Callao-for you. Forgot all about
it," A
Thank you, sir" answered Martin, as
he took the letter. l 'spect it's from
my sister in shore here. Curious. sir,
that / come back to Tompkinsville to
read it."
"Never mind about Tompkinsville. Who
stands watch tonight?
"Only three of us, sir. We greed to
let the rest have all night in Tom re-
lieves me at 'leven, and George relieves
| him at 3. l came on at s, sir, as you or
dered at supper time"
That's all right. Let Gorge come on
at II, and let Tom take the morning
watch The harbor's quiet at midnight
and river thieves work. late. Let Tom
| take the last watch. Understand"
eyes, sir. I'll call George at 'leven."
"And keep your watch on the poop.
! Pass the word along. Make that idiot
understandable stand watch on the poop.
But don't disturb the captain. He's sick.
If he feels better l may go ashore in the
dlngey."
"All right, sir. May read my letter
| forrard. sir?'
Go ahead-get it off your mind"
Martin disappeared in the direction of
| the forecastle, and when Mr.. Arbuckle
saw him emerge a little later he went
| below.
Got to make sure he said. Got to
have the idiot on deck, and l can't dis
| turb the watches any more. Make 'em
| suspicious. I'll wait till 'leven o'clock
when the skipper feels better"
He waited, passing the time as he
could, and when the cabin clock struck
| IL went on deck, first fortifying himself
with a glass of whiskey. George ana
| Martin were coming aft the older man
earnestly explaining the orders TO the
younger. Mr., ArbuclSle, fully as earnest
| ly repeated them, enjoining George TO
stand watch on the poop, and 10 not
| disturb Captain Hawkins, who was reel
| ing better.
CONTINUED on Eighth Page.)