The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-09-16
CHAPTER ".

The mate meantime was considering
the note put into his hands. 1t was
very short, and was a simple draft upon
a merchants house IN Sydney-the short
est draft, suppose, ever written, and on
tho smallest piece of paper.
"Messrs. Hengstenberg & Co., Sydney
Pay bearer EGO. New Ireland, 1884
Baron Sergius Won Holstein."
II will take him." said the mate. 81
expect to be out another three or four
months. He can come aboard with me-
But, stranger" he said, persuasively,
"can no business be done? Are they
open to reasonw He looked round at
the forest and deserted huts. Can we
trade for a few natives, you and me,
between us? If could only see my way
to persuade 'em to worship me, I'd
blessed ~ I wouldn'tI-I would ship the
whole island. There would be a fortune
In It."
'"They are open to no reason at ALL
In fact, If they were at this moment to
como down upon US unexpectedly, 1t
would be a painful necessity for me-if
valued my reputation as a prophetic
order them to attack and spear both you
and your crew; otherwise l should be
considered a false prophet. They are
wonderfully handy with their lances, and
they move in large bodies. Those pop
guns Of yours would knock over two or
| three, but would be of no avail to save
your own lives. Therefore, l would ad-
wise that you get into your boat and
aboard your ship with as little delay as
possible"
The mate took his advice and departed
with his passenger.
sand now" said the Baron SergIus,
II am alone at last, and can enjoy my
self without any Of that fellows groans.
| never knew before how extremely dis
agreeable one single murder may make
| man."
That evening the rescued man, David
Leighan, sat on the deck with his friend
the mate. The island Of New Ireland
was now a black patch low down on
the horizon, the night was clear, and the
sky full of stars. David was of the isl
and at last, and once more free to re-
turn to England; yet he did not look
happier; on the contrary, the gloom upon
his face was blacker than ever.
It proved most unlucky voyage. They
lost two men in an encounter with the ma
tives; they had no success in trailing;
the captain continued to drink. The end
came Unexpectedly,
One night the watch on deck were
startled BY a bright light in the cap,
tain's cabin. The light shot into flame,
and the fame leaped and ran along the
sides of the cabin and caught in the deck
and licked the timbers of the ship. The
| old schooner vas as dry as finder, and
caught fire like a piece Of paper. In
FIVE minutes it became apparent that they
must take to their boats. As to the
drunken man who had done the mischief,
he came out of the burning cabin and
danced and sung until the flames drag
ged him down. ,..,...-....-. I'll , --s-.
In the fierce glare of the burning ship
the mate looked at David reproachfully
implying that this misfortune was Ell
tireIy due to his presence.
gwen now" he whispered, Il will not
tell the men you have ruined the voy'
ace, burned the SNIP killed the captain
and may be will kill US as WELL What
have you done that we should be punish
ed like this for taking you on board! Ii
its it murderY'