The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1900-04-21
Xxx.
Conference of the Crew.

Some time elapsed before the poor
boy became sufficiently coherent to be
understood, but it would seem that on
hearing the first cry, which had
alarmed me, he sprang out Of his
berth, which was at the foot Of the
companionway, and on looking Into
the cabin, he saw by the night light
which swung in the skylight, the
Cubano, armed with a bloody knife,
rush from the captains state-room
into that Of the mate, which was OPP
posite.
Another choking cry acquainted him
that Antonio had stabbed Hlslop in Ills
sleep; and fearing that his own turn
would come next, he had crept into an
empty cask which lay below the ON
panion-ladder, and remained there,
trembling with dread, until he took an
opportunity of rushing on deck and
joining us.
This terrible revelation added to our
dismay.
We were now in a desperate predica-
ment, without a captain or mate to
navigate the brig, and at the mercy OF
A well-armed desperate, to whom hom-
icide was a pastime; thus, all who
had handled him so severely On the
night we crossed the line began to feel
no small degree Of alarm for their
own safety, being certain that more
blood would be shed the moment he
came on deck.
All dressed themselves with the ut
most expedition, and it was resolved
to hold a council of war. '~Lambourne
was still at the wheel; and to be pre-
pared for any emergency, he resolved
to reduce the canvas IN the brig. So
the royals were taken down, all stud
ding-sails taken in, and the topsails
were handed; all this was done as
quietly as possible, lest any sound
might arouse the fend who seemed
now to possess the Eugene.
Lambourne ventured to peep down
the skylight, when he saw Antonio
drinking brandy from a case bottle,
without troubling himself with a
glass. Then the Spaniard proceeded
to attire himself in the best clothes
of Captain Weston; he forced open
several lockfast places, and took from
them money and jewelry, which he
concealed about his person. What his
ultimate object could be in perform
ing these acts of plumber on the open
sea, we could neither conceive nor
divine. but on CHANGING to glance up
ward, ne caught a glimpse Of Toms
eyes peering down.
There was an explosion, a crashing
of glass and a ball from a revolver,
fired upward, grazed Toms left ear
and pierced the rim of his Southwestern
as a hint that our Cubano had no In
tention of being overlooked in his op-
erations below.
We heard him close the. cabin dooi
with a bang, and after locking it
throw himself on the floor behind 1t
with the intention of sleeping, proba'
bly,, but with the full resolution thaf
no one should enter without disturb
ing him; and in this way, after ex
amining his pistols, he reposed ever,
night afterward while on board.
by lingo! I thought the killing O
them birds would lead to bad lucl
somehow" said Henry Warren, al
old foremost man, with a reproachfu
glance at me, as he threw the two al
batrosses overheard.
We now held a solemn conference t,
meet the emergency which was certain
to come anon, and to consider the bes
means of subduing and disarming tn,
culprit.
whoever goes nigh him in til
cabin, either by the door or the sky
light, risks being stabbed or shot,
said Tattooed Tom; 80 we must go t
work some other way. shipmates, an
that other way must be considered.
I'VE might close and batten the sky
light and companionway, and the
starve or smoke him out" suggesteI
one of the crew, Francis Probart, GU
carpenter.
Smoke him out?" echoed Tom.
Eyes, as we do rats"
"By what?"
Fill a bucket with spun yarn an
creased fax, with sulphur and bilge
water-ain't that the medical CON
pound for rats?"