Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-09-14


found his way on deck to learn the
cause. Armed with all sorts of weap-
ons, we mustered forward in a sort OF
irregular phalanx, TO beat the Jungle
for the tiger" as the second mate, an
old East Indian cruiser, quantity express
sed it.
Tonawanda, who had been slyly lis
tening near the scuttle, reported having
heard the sound of someone moving the
fore-peak hatch; but after thi, ceased
all was still as the grave
Steward, bring light here from the
cabin" said the captain. "It won't dc
to go down there in the dark"
But at this moment one of the men
below, disturbed by the hustle, reused
up and crying, whats this row about?"
struck match and lighted the lamp.
Look out, Jones!' said half dozen
voices from the deck. Look out for
Parson; he's crazyP'
''Parson be blarnedp' muttered Jones,
with his eyes half open and out of tenn
per at having his slumbers interrupted
Il don't see no Parson. Why, Parsop
relieved me at the wheel-hallo! what's
the fore-peak scuttle off for?"
By this time the two mates, backed
up by others, all with weapons of some
sort, had affected Judgment in the
forecastle. The little trap-door was
clapped on and the lunatic was thus
Gagged in tie lower hold One after an
other of the watch below awoke and roll
led out of their hunks with all sorts of
incoherent questions, as they wondered
a. this armed invasion.
"Silence" said the captain at last.
Listen now if you can hear any sound
below Take off the hatch again"
He called the Parson by name several
times, but got no answer. He peered
cautiously down the little square hole,
but nothing was to be seen. Reclosing
it and securing it by the weight of a
couple of sea-chests, we drew off our
forces to consult upon some new plan of
attack
He must be routed out of that some
how" said the mate. "The poor fellow
may kill himself if he isn't taken care of.
And, for that matter, there's no know
ing what damage a crazy man may do
to the ship. He may build fire down
there, if he can find enough to make one
Of"
That's true said the captain. well
take off the main matches now, and go
down in force"
cay. sir; there's no help for it, as
sented the second mate. "Gi' me my
choice of capstanbars, and I'll lead away,
if you say the word. Here's fix for a
decent ships company of twenty men,
eh, with luny-tic under EN-. It's wus' sn
any powder magazines"
Our cargo, which consisted chiefly of
copper and hides, was necessarily stow
ed, as it was received on board at varl-
Gus ports on the Gillian coast. Thus,
while the ship was heavily laden, from
the nature of her cargo there was plenty
of open space in bulk, and it was easy to
pass anywhere, fore and aft.
Taking off the lower matches, we
pushed a short ladder down to facilitate
our exit, if indeed, and with arms and
lanterns jumped into the hold. Then d.
vidirg our forces we pressed forward,
peering about on every side. Nothing
was to be seen, nor could any answer
be elected to our calls Suddenly the
lantern which I was carrying was dashed
from my hand into fragments with what
seemed to be a piece of board, darted
endwise; yell, unlike anything human,
rang i'll our ears, and something brushed
roughly by me in the darkness, moving
toward the outlet at the hatchway.
We turned about and gave chase call
ing upon Our comrades on the other side
of the central partition, or Shifting
board" to hasten with the other Ian
tern. Again we reached the open hatch
way where we had jumped down. We
caught a glimpse of the Parson on the
ladder. just as he was posing another
piece of wood in his hand and taking
aim for a good throw.
Look out for your lanternP was
cried, in warning tones, and two cap
stan-bars were hurled at the dimly seen
figure. There was crash and we were
wrapped in total darkness.
We shouted to those on deck, but they
were sure he had not come so high.
The lower patches were pushed into
place and the short ladder now connect
ed tip with the upper deck.
An unlooked-for reinforcement now
Joined us in the person of Austin, the
Chi1eno, bearing in his hand few faith
oms of slender line and short torch.
Handing the torch to the second mate,
he retained the cord himself, and they
two led the advance.
The torch threw wide glare ahead of
us lighting TIP the whole width of the
between-decks. The mailman, crouched
against the forward bulkhead, was
brought to bay.
His eyes were fixed upon the torch
light. as he gathered himself for a
spring. But he was not quick enough
for Augustin With slight twirl of the
wrist the 1asso passed over his head and
dropped exactly where it was wasted.
A single jerk brought the victim to she
ground. He was easily overpowered and
secured hand and foot. He was kindly