The daily Alaskan., 1907-02-12
The Dynamite Bomb
JC,opvrIrht 19o5 bv T..C. Mcclure

his business is of the greatest impor- tance he is not encouraged to string It ont
 When J. F. Sdllman, Chicago, first class passenger on the Undine, asked to see the captain when the ship was 100 miles on her westward course his excuse that he had letter to deliver to him wus not deemed sufficient to arouse the commander from his fore noon nap. The purSer took the letter to deliver two hours later.
 Mir. Sullman had an interview with i the captain. however, and it was one he was not likely to forget for years He was playin cards in the smoe ing saloon when he got word that the great man wanted to see him inStan'cr. | The word was brought by the purSer ] and the chief officer who were ready to escort him to the captains state room by force if necessary.
 Sir. explain yourself about this let ter," said the captain as he held out the misslye given to the purSer two hours before.
 You mean how did it come into my 1 posseSSion:'
 That's it."
 Tt was handed to nc at my hotei l lust before l left to come aboard. promised to hand 1t to you at once but | in the hustle and confusion and being | naturally absentmiuded I forgot al9 about it until few hours ago. If l have caused you worry or damage l sincerely regret it."
 Who gave YOU the letter.
 A stranger. and vet he was q man l had seen several times. Indeed l heard him say that he intended to take this steamer. and when be handed me the letter l supposed 1t concerned that business. Is there, anything wrong captain"
 There may be a good deal wrong, sir" was the grim reply. "Is there any one aboard who car, identify yOu:'
 Yes, there's Broy vn of Philadelphia. Warner of Boston and Phillips Of Pittsburg. I've dont business with all of them. Do you ta ke me for card sharp or a couspirato :''
 Give the gentlemc3 ! named my com pliments and ask theE ! to favor me for a moment" said the captain 10 the purSer and mate.
 During the five miuut 'S which elapsed before the men return 'i he made no remark to StilImau. auG tue man from Chicago felt foolish and uncomfortable. He was not Q fugitive from justice and be had committed no breach Of .disciplIne aboard the steamer, but all signs indicated that he was in for trou- ble
 "Gentlemen, you knC nv MT. Stilman. do you?" was asked the three par ties named.
 They answered in tho , affirmative and soon satisfied the capt ain that he was a man ot character.
 Then am in Sumetl 6ug Ot fix. he replied. "l did not su spect Mr. Still uan uf being villain. but | was rath- ar iu hopes tU hear that he was prac- ,ical joker. IC it had urEed out that way my mind would have been re- Ieved. and yet | shuul,l hI ye lad hLm n irons for tue rest oC [, Ie V Dyage. This .etter states that dyHa unit bomb has found its way into Uu,e O, our coal bunkrrS aud that when It l S fed into the furnace We will hpsom, food for -he fishes"
 And do you believe thr let cr a hoax or is il warming"
 1t is q warning
 Fl agree with you. and I n uSt take all of you into my confidence. Not a lisp of the matte, must get beyond this room We are hclpl, gS. Let the crowd know why we are >O and a hun fred of them would jump overheard. That bomb may be frd into ono of the furnaces while We talk or il may es- ape the coal Passers until we reach our dock in New York. We have sim ply got to talk. our chances"
 But the coal b,nkers-whl not over haul the coal bJmkers:' askv l Warner and Phillips together.
 Why not search for the ork of a champagne bottle on this broad ocean," querled the captain. with a smile in which there was no bumor. Perhaps none of you gcntleu fn ever saw a dynamite bomb of the S ort that we have been loaded with: Well. I have. It is artfully couceale d 1D a | lump of coal. Unless we in 'peS+od each lump in the bunkers by its elf we could not find the bomb"
 Why not shovel every pound O.! co al Into the sea and lie by until picked D and lowed in?" was asked.
 The bomb would then go over VTfs | the coal. and we should have only tGl | letter left Ii would be called a hOEE We would be called fools and old y7C- men. It would be known as the hoax of the century. and smart AleckS by the dozen would perpetrate 1t again We shall keep right or. Not hint must reach another soul aboard, will have the boats made as nearly ready as I dare. and then We must wear smiling faces and trust to God" | The Undine made speedy and safe 1 ,..-,oo r,5 antnra1 bp- SliD in Now