The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-05-29

i Cy Go AC1C AACu On Tic 0uIQlIS SCHULZ
er, and he pushed Mr. Mullett out Of
the way and ran on.
| Just as he reached the bend by New
combs fish house a huddle of men.
some with overcoats and hats and 9TH
ers bareheaded and half dressed, rush
ed wildly around the corner of the
building. The captains shoulder struck
the foremost man blow in the chest
| that knocked him backward
ugh! Owl" grunted the man. Then
he cried: Hey? Is that you, Cap'n
Ez?
The captain was fighting his way
through. Let me byr' he shouted.
sGit out of my wayr'
Some obeyed, but others did not.
There. were confused cries Of "Stop
himv' Don't let him go.'' He was
seized by the arm. The crowd closed
/ about him.
Don't let me go!" roared the captain,
striking right and left. Who'll stop
me? Are you crazy? Parker, by thun-
der, III Alvin Bearse. take your
hands off mer'
But Alvin held tight. "Cap'n En- he
pleaded. .'lfsten! Listen jest a minute!
You mustn't 60 off to her. Ira. hold his
| other ARM
Overpowered and held fast, the be-
| surrounding him. For the Lords
sakew he cried "You cowards Are
| you goin' to let her burn up without
/ liftin' hand? What are you stand:n'
here for? Why amt you aboard your
ship, Alvin Bearse? Did you set her
afire yourself? Let me go. ZIP
He struggled frantically "Cap'n Ez.' .
pleaded Alvin. "listen to me- The dy-
nantes aboard-the dynamiter'
Captain Titcomb stopped struggling.
! The dynamite in the hold! He had for
! gotten it entirely. That was why no
| boats had put out to the burning YES
sci. That was what they were running
away from.
"'Tain't safe to stay herev' shouted
some one from the outskirts of the rap
idly growing crowd. We'll De blowed
to slivers when she goes off. Git back
to the hill"'
"Bluey Bachelor" yelled the cap
tain, you're coward and always
was! But amt there no men in this
gang? Bearse! Sparrow! Ellis! Are
you goin' to stand by and see me and
Brad ruined? Who'll come with me
and pitch the stuff overheard? Well
save her yet! Come on"
They We're wavering, some of them.
Bearse was brave man; so was Ellis.
The two looked at each other.
"Come on, boys!'' shouted the cap
tain, getting one arm free and waving
it. Then, as a new thought struck him:
whats the matter with you? Dyna-
mite don't blow up in a fire. I, 1t burns
Ike cord wood. Come on, you fools"'
They might have followed him then,
but Captain Edward Taylor came up.
A man of experience alongshore and
one of the towns selectmen, his words
carried weight. Don't let him STIR he
commanded. Dynamite boxed in as,
he's got it in that hold is sure to ex-
plode, and he knows it. The least
shock III do it if the fire doesn't Come
pack to the hill. Ez, you'll have to go
with us"
That settled it. Fighting, pleading,
swearing, Captain Titcomb was car
ried by main force along the road to-
ward the hill by the bridge. Long
tongues of flame were spouting from
the Diving Bellies main hatch. Up in
the village the schoolhouse bell was
ringing.
Don't let anybody go near the
wharf" ordered Captain Taylor.
"Warn 'em as fast as What's that?"
There was a scuffie on the road be-
low, two or three shouts, the sound of
running feet.
Ira Sparrow rushed up the hill. His
voice trembled.
Hes got through! We didn't see
him in time!" he painted.
s'Who?" asked several voices.
Brad Nickerson. I'm afraid he's
goin' off to the schooner"
Captain Titcomb gave spring that
almost cleared him. The tears came
into his eyes.
For the Lords sake" he begged, .are
you goin' to let that boy kill himself?''
Then, bending forward, he shouted:
BRAD, Brad! Don't go nigh her for
your life. The dynamite's aboardv'
The crowd was still. Every one lis
tened. There was no reply, but they
heard the rattle of oars in dory's
rowlocks.
When Bradley came out Of the kitch-
en- after the burglar" had made his
confession he shook hands with Cap
tain Fri. babe the latter a laughing
good night and went up to his cham
Der. It was a long time before he fell
asleep. He heard a steady hum Of
conversation from the old maids room
and knew the sisters were going over
the astonishing events of the evening.
Once Miss Tempy came to his door to
ask in whisper if he knew Just how
old Captain Titcomb was. "Oh. about