Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-09-17

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 the 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
al this armed invasion.
'SilenceF 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 crazy man may do
to the ship. He may build a FIRE down
there, if he can find enough to make one
oil"
That's true" said the captain. "We'll
take off the main matches now, and go
down in force."
'Ay, sir; there's no help for it" as
sented the second mate. "Gi me my
choice. of cspstanbars, and I'll lead away,
if you say the word Here's a nix for a
decent ships company OF twenty men,
Oh, 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 vari-
Gus ports on the CHILEAN 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 orr 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 was carrying was dashed
from my hand into fragments with what
seemed to be a piece Of board, darted
endwise; a yell. unlike anything human,
Fang in 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 good throw
Look out for your lantern" 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 matches were pushed into
place and the short ladder now connect
ed up with the upper deck.
An unlooled-for reinforcement now
joined us in the person of Austin, the
Chileno. 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 up 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
spring But he was not quick enough
for Augustin. With slight twirl of the
wrist the lasso passed over his head and
dropped exactly where it was wanted
A single Jerk brought the victim to the
ground. He was easily overpowered and
secured hand and foot. He was kindly
treated on the voyage and placed in
doctors hands when we arrived in port
but the poor fellow never recovered his